Coupling of a Major Allergen to the Surface of Immune Cells for Use in Prophylactic Cell Therapy for the Prevention of IgE-Mediated Allergy.

Up to a third of the world's population suffers from allergies, yet the effectiveness of available preventative measures remains, at large, poor. Consequently, the development of successful prophylactic strategies for the induction of tolerance against allergens is crucial. In proof-of-concept studies, our laboratory has previously shown that the transfer of autologous hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) or autologous B cells expressing a major grass pollen allergen, Phl p 5, induces robust tolerance in mice. However, eventual clinical translation would require safe allergen expression without the need for retroviral transduction. Therefore, we aimed to chemically couple Phl p 5 to the surface of leukocytes and tested their ability to induce tolerance. Phl p 5 was coupled by two separate techniques, either by 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide (EDC) or by linkage via a lipophilic anchor, 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-poly(ethylene glycol)-maleimide (DSPE-PEG-Mal). The effectiveness was assessed in fresh and cultured Phl p 5-coupled cells by flow cytometry, image cytometry, and immunofluorescence microscopy. Chemical coupling of Phl p 5 using EDC was robust but was followed by rapid apoptosis. DSPE-PEG-Mal-mediated linkage was also strong, but antigen levels declined due to antigen internalization. Cells coupled with Phl p 5 by either method were transferred into autologous mice. While administration of EDC-coupled splenocytes together with short course immunosuppression initially reduced Phl p 5-specific antibody levels to a moderate degree, both methods did not induce sustained tolerance towards Phl p 5 upon several subcutaneous immunizations with the allergen. Overall, our results demonstrate the successful chemical linkage of an allergen to leukocytes using two separate techniques, eliminating the risks of genetic modifications. More durable surface expression still needs to be achieved for use in prophylactic cell therapy protocols.

Nature's therapeutic power: a study on the psychophysiological effects of touching ornamental grass in Chinese women.

The health of city residents is at risk due to the high rate of urbanization and the extensive use of electronics. In the context of urbanization, individuals have become increasingly disconnected from nature, resulting in elevated stress levels among adults. The goal of this study was to investigate the physical and psychological benefits of spending time in nature. The benefits of touching real grass and artificial turf (the control activity) outdoors with the palm of the hand for five minutes were measured. Blood pressure and electroencephalography (EEG) as well as State-trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) scores, and the semantic differential scale (SDM) were used to investigate psychophysiological responses. Touching real grass was associated with significant changes in brainwave rhythms and a reduction in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure compared to touching artificial turf. In addition, SDM scores revealed that touching real grass increased relaxation, comfort, and a sense of naturalness while decreasing anxiety levels. Compared to the control group, the experimental group had higher mean scores in both meditation and attentiveness. Our findings indicate that contact with real grass may reduce physiological and psychological stress in adults.

Ethnobotanical study on ritual plants used by Hani people in Yunnan, China.

BACKGROUND: The Hani people, who reside in Yuanyang County, Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, rely on rice terrace farming as their primary livelihood. They utilize plants in various traditional ritual practices. The Hani people have categorized the value of plants based on their natural attributes and have refined the ways of using different plants in specific rituals through practical observations and experiences derived from their agricultural culture. Although the plants used in these rituals hold significant cultural value, they have yet to be studied from the perspective of ethnobotany. This study aims to approach the ritual plants using ethnobotanical methods. METHODS: Ethnobotanical fieldwork was conducted in 10 villages in Yuanyang County between 2021 and 2023. Data were collected from the local Hani people through semi-structured interviews and participatory observations and 41 informants were interviewed during the field investigations. The frequency of citation (FC) and relative frequency of citation (RFC) were utilized to evaluate the relative importance of ritual plants among the local communities. RESULTS: A total of 36 plant species, belonging to 18 families and 34 genera, were recorded as being used in 11 ritual practices by the Hani people. Rosaceae, Poaceae, and Fabaceae were found to have the highest number of species. Most of the ritual plants used by the Hani people were collected from the wild. FC and RFC analysis showed that the preferred plants for Hani rituals were Rhus chinensis Mill, Oryza sativa L., Phyllostachys sulphurea (Carr.) A. et C. Riv. and Musa basjoo Siebold & Zucc. ex Iinuma. The 11 rituals are all centered around the performance of people, crops and livestock. The Hani people use plants in different rituals mainly based on their biological attributes. CONCLUSIONS: Many rituals of the Hani people are closely related to their production and livelihood, and the plants used in these rituals are deeply rooted in Hani's traditional ecological knowledge and beliefs. The Hani people's reverence for nature, respect for life, gratitude towards ancestors, and seeking blessings and disaster prevention for their families, crops, and livestock are all reflected in these rituals and their utilization of ritual plants. The Hani people showcase their agricultural culture in the Honghe Hani Rice Terraces through plant-based ritual performances. Studying ritual plants in the core area of the Hani Rice Terraces is of great significance for protecting the Hani Terrace farming culture. In the future, it is essential to pay more attention to the role of traditional knowledge in biodiversity conservation.

Variability in weather and site properties affect fuel and fire behavior following fuel treatments in semiarid sagebrush-steppe.

Fuel-treatments targeting shrubs and fire-prone exotic annual grasses (EAGs) are increasingly used to mitigate increased wildfire risks in arid and semiarid environments, and understanding their response to natural factors is needed for effective landscape management. Using field-data collected over four years from fuel-break treatments in semiarid sagebrush-steppe, we asked 1) how the outcomes of EAG and sagebrush fuel treatments varied with site biophysical properties, climate, and weather, and 2) how predictions of fire behavior using the Fuel Characteristic Classification System fire model related to land-management objectives of maintaining fire behavior expected of low-load, dry-climate grasslands. Generalized linear mixed effect modeling with build-up model selection was used to determine best-fit models, and marginal effects plots to assess responses for each fuel type. EAG cover decreased as antecedent-fall precipitation increased and increased as antecedent-spring temperatures and surface soil clay contents increased. Herbicides targeting EAGs were less effective where pre-treatment EAG cover was >40 % and antecedent spring temperatures were >9.5 °C. Sagebrush cover was inversely related to soil clay content, especially where clay contents were >17 %. Predicted fire behavior exceeded management objectives under 1) average fire weather conditions when EAG or sagebrush cover was >50 % or >26 %, respectively, or 2) extreme fire weather conditions when EAG or sagebrush cover was >10 % or >8 %, respectively. Consideration of the strong effects of natural variability in site properties and antecedent weather can help in justifying, planning and implementing fuel-treatments.

Different responses of foliar nutrient resorption efficiency in two dominant species to grazing in the desert steppe.

Nitrogen and phosphorus resorption (NRE and PRE) is a critical nutrient conservation mechanism maintaining plant growth in already disturbed barren ecosystems. The complexity of plant nutrient resorption variations in long-term grazing regions is regulated by plant traits, nutritional utilization strategies, and soil conditions following changes in grazing patterns. Therefore, a detailed investigation into their underlying mechanism is still required. Here we investigated leaf nutrient concentration and resorption in dominant species Cleistogenes songorica (C. squarrosa) and Stipa breviflora (S. breviflora) response to 15-years continuous grazing (moderate and heavy grazing) in desert steppe. Moderate grazing enhanced green leaf N and P content in C. songorica and partially increased N content in S. breviflora. Heavy grazing consistently increased N content in C. songorica, but its P content as well as N and P content in S. breviflora were largely stable. Moderate grazing enhanced NRE but unaffected PRE in both S. breviflora and C. songorica. Heavy grazing reduced NRE and PRE in C. songorica. Although soil variables (nutrients and moisture) did not affect foliar nutrients, it's a key driver of nutrient resorption efficiency. Of all measured influence factors, soil moisture is the one most important and negatively correlated with NRE and PRE in S. breviflora. While it was not observed in C. songorica. In S. breviflora, its NRE was adversely linked with soil N, in addition, both NRE and PRE were positively associated with green leaf nutrients. Senesced leaf nutrients are the predominant factor influencing nutrient resorption efficiency in C. songorica, which were adversely associated. Overall, our results indicate significant variations in nutrient resorption efficiency patterns between the two dominant species due to divergent plant adaptation strategies to grazing and the local environment. The foliar nutritional status and soil conditions may play significant roles in regulating nutrient resorption in arid long-term grazing desert steppe.

Peripheral blood mononuclear cell transcriptome profile in a clinical trial with subcutaneous, grass pollen allergoid immunotherapy.

INTRODUCTION: Allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) is the only disease-modifying treatment in allergic airway diseases. Underlying immunological mechanisms and candidate biomarkers, which may be translated into predictive/surrogate measures of clinical efficacy, remain an active area of research. The aim of this study was to evaluate Pollinex Quattro (PQ) Grass AIT induced immunomodulatory mechanisms, based on transcriptome profiling of peripheral blood mononuclear cells. METHODS: 119 subjects with grass pollen induced seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) were randomized in a 2:2:1:1 ratio to receive a cumulative dose of PQ Grass as a conventional or extended pre-seasonal regimen, placebo, or placebo with MicroCrystalline Tyrosine. Gene expression analysis was an exploratory endpoint evaluated in a subgroup of 30 subjects randomly selected from the four treatment arms. Samples were collected at three time points: screening (baseline), before the start of the grass pollen season and at the end of the season. This study was funded by the manufacturer of PQ. RESULTS: Transcriptome analysis demonstrated that the most significant changes in gene expression, for both treatment regimens, were at the end of the grass pollen season, with the main Th1 candidate molecules (IL-12A, IFNγ) upregulated and Th2 signature cytokines downregulated (IL-4, IL-13, IL-9) (p < .05). Canonical pathways analysis demonstrated Th1, Th2, Th17 and IL-17 as the most significantly enriched pathways based on absolute value of activation z-score (IzI score ≥ 2, p < .05). Upstream regulator analysis showed pronounced inhibition of pro-inflammatory allergic molecules IgE, IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-25 (IL-17E) (IzI score ≥ 2, FDR < 0.05) and activation of pro-tolerogenic molecules IL-12A, IL-27, IL-35 (EBI3) at the end of the grass pollen season. CONCLUSION: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells transcriptome profile showed an inhibition of Th2, Th17 pro-inflammatory allergic responses and immune deviation towards Th1 responses. PQ Grass extended regimen exhibited a superior mechanistic efficacy profile in comparison with PQ conventional regimen.

Insights of phytoremediation mechanisms for viruses based on in-vitro, in-vivo and in-silico assessments of selected herbal plants.

Waterborne pathogenic viruses present unrelenting challenges to the global health and wastewater treatment industry. Phytoremediation offers promising solutions for wastewater treatment through plant-based technologies. This study investigated antiviral mechanisms in-vivo using bacteriophages MS2 and T4 as surrogates for effective herbs screened in-vitro from three embryophytes (Ocimum basilicum, Mentha sp., Plectranthus amboinicus), two macrophytes (Eichhornia crassipes, Pistia stratiotes) and a perennial grass (Cyperus rotundas). In-silico virtual screening predicted antiviral phytochemicals for further antiviral potency assessment. Results suggested in-vitro antiviral activities of embryophytes and macrophytes were higher (43-62%) than grass (21-26%). O. basilicum (OB, 57-62%) and P. stratiotes (PS, 59-60%) exhibited the highest antiviral activities. In-vivo tests showed notable virus reduction (>60%) in culture solution, attributed to rhizofiltration (66-74%) and phytoinactivation/phytodegradation (63-84%). In-silico analysis identified rutin as a primary antiviral phytochemical for MS2 (-9.7 kcal/mol) and T4 (-10.9 kcal/mol), correlating with dose-response inactivation (∼58-62%). In-vivo tests suggested additional phytocompounds may contribute to viral inactivation, presenting new opportunities for herb-based wastewater treatment solutions. Consequently, this study not only demonstrates the antiviral capabilities of OB and PS but also introduces an innovative approach for addressing viral contaminants in water.

How do the main components influence the VOCs emission characteristics and formation pathways during moso bamboo heat treatment?

Bamboo heat treatment will cause plenty of release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the atmosphere which are important precursors for ozone (O3) formation. In this study, dewaxed bamboo was heat-treated at 180 °C for 2 h to investigate the emission characteristics and the formation pathways of VOCs during heat treatment by removing different main components. The results showed that aldehydes (22.61%-57.54%) and esters (14.64%-38.88%) are the primary VOCs released during heat treatment. These compounds mainly originate from the degradation of hemicellulose, lignin, cellulose, and the linkage bonds between them in bamboo. During the bamboo heat treatment, the degradation of CO, CH, and CO bonds in hemicellulose results in the release of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, 3-furfural, and 1-(+)-ascorbic acid 2,6-dihexadecanoate. The breakage of benzene ring group and the CO and CH bonds of lignin leading to the emission of VOCs including m-Formylphenol, Vanillin, and Syringaldehyde. The degradation of aliphatic CH, CC, and CO bonds in the amorphous region of cellulose contributes to an enhanced release of alcohols, olefins, and alkanes. It is calculated that acids (28.92%-59.47%), esters (10.10%-22.03%) and aldehydes (17.88%-39.91%) released during heat treatment contributed more to Ozone Formation Potential (OFP).

Elevated CO2 interacts with nutrient inputs to restructure plant communities in phosphorus-limited grasslands.

Globally pervasive increases in atmospheric CO2 and nitrogen (N) deposition could have substantial effects on plant communities, either directly or mediated by their interactions with soil nutrient limitation. While the direct consequences of N enrichment on plant communities are well documented, potential interactions with rising CO2 and globally widespread phosphorus (P) limitation remain poorly understood. We investigated the consequences of simultaneous elevated CO2 (eCO2 ) and N and P additions on grassland biodiversity, community and functional composition in P-limited grasslands. We exposed soil-turf monoliths from limestone and acidic grasslands that have received >25 years of N additions (3.5 and 14 g m-2 year-1 ) and 11 (limestone) or 25 (acidic) years of P additions (3.5 g m-2 year-1 ) to eCO2 (600 ppm) for 3 years. Across both grasslands, eCO2 , N and P additions significantly changed community composition. Limestone communities were more responsive to eCO2 and saw significant functional shifts resulting from eCO2 -nutrient interactions. Here, legume cover tripled in response to combined eCO2 and P additions, and combined eCO2 and N treatments shifted functional dominance from grasses to sedges. We suggest that eCO2 may disproportionately benefit P acquisition by sedges by subsidising the carbon cost of locally intense root exudation at the expense of co-occurring grasses. In contrast, the functional composition of the acidic grassland was insensitive to eCO2 and its interactions with nutrient additions. Greater diversity of P-acquisition strategies in the limestone grassland, combined with a more functionally even and diverse community, may contribute to the stronger responses compared to the acidic grassland. Our work suggests we may see large changes in the composition and biodiversity of P-limited grasslands in response to eCO2 and its interactions with nutrient loading, particularly where these contain a high diversity of P-acquisition strategies or developmentally young soils with sufficient bioavailable mineral P.

Toward making a high-quality silage from common reed (Phragmites australis).

The effects of the addition of molasses (5 and 10% of dry matter: DM basis; M5 and M10 respectively) with or without urea (2%; U2, U2 + M5 and U2 + M10) on chemical and mineral composition, silage quality, microbial populations, buffering capacity and fermentation/digestion characteristics of common reed (Phragmites australis) ensiled under anaerobic conditions were investigated. The additives changed the silage quality of common reed compared with the control. Crude protein content was significantly (p < 0.0001) increased in urea-containing silages, whereas ash-free neutral detergent fibre concentration decreased in M10 compared with the control (p = 0.05). Treatment with 2% urea (U2) resulted in the reduction of most measured minerals with a severe decrease in iron concentration. The amount of gas produced after 96 h of incubation was, respectively, higher for U2, M10, U2M10, U2M5 and M5 compared with the control (p < 0.0001). Although the greatest in vitro dry matter digestibility and in vitro organic matter digestibility (96 h) were observed in U2 (p < 0.0001), no significant differences were found between U2 and M10. Supplementation with 10% molasses (M10) significantly increased lactic acid concentration, aerobic stability and total bacteria compared with other treatments (p < 0.0001). Moreover, DM loss (p = 0.0004), total yeast and mould (p < 0.0001) were significantly decreased as a result of 10% molasses treatment. Overall, it can be suggested that treating silage with 10% molasses (M10) has the potential to efficiently improve the nutritive value of common reed.

Guidelines for reporting action simulation studies (GRASS): Proposals to improve reporting of research in motor imagery and action observation.

Researchers from multiple disciplines have studied the simulation of actions through motor imagery, action observation, or their combination. Procedures used in these studies vary considerably between research groups, and no standardized approach to reporting experimental protocols has been proposed. This has led to under-reporting of critical details, impairing the assessment, replication, synthesis, and potential clinical translation of effects. We provide an overview of issues related to the reporting of information in action simulation studies, and discuss the benefits of standardized reporting. We propose a series of checklists that identify key details of research protocols to include when reporting action simulation studies. Each checklist comprises A) essential methodological details, B) essential details that are relevant to a specific mode of action simulation, and C) further points that may be useful on a case-by-case basis. We anticipate that the use of these guidelines will improve the understanding, reproduction, and synthesis of studies using action simulation, and enhance the translation of research using motor imagery and action observation to applied and clinical settings.

Combined role of ground cover management in altering orchard surface‒subsurface erosion and associated carbon-nitrogen-phosphorus loss.

The combined role of ground cover management in controlling soil erosion and nutrient loss from new orchards is still less understood. In this study, four ground cover management practices, orchard with grass cover (OG), orchard with interplant cover (OI), orchard with straw cover (OS), and orchard with bare ground (OB), were designed to identify their impacts on soil erosion and associated carbon-nitrogen-phosphorus loss in new orchards by rainfall simulation tests with rainfall intensities of 60, 90, and 120 mm h-1 and 90 min rainfall duration. The results showed that OS had the lowest surface flow coefficient (6.6%) and highest subsurface flow coefficient (32.5%). The highest soil loss rate occurred in the OB plot (65.4 g m-2 min-1), and the lowest soil loss rate occurred in the OS plot (0.5 g m-2 min-1). OS plot showed better effectiveness in improving soil erosion. However, the increased infiltration capacity was facilitated in terms of causing non-point source pollution. The C-N-P ratios of surface flow in different cover measures (OB, OI, OG, and OS) were 1.4:1.2:0.9:1, 1.8:1.7:1.2:1, and 2.3:1.9:1.2:1, respectively. The ratios of sediment in different cover measures were 7.3:9:2.3:1, 2:1.5:1.2:1, and 1.2:1:0.8:0.7, respectively. Cover management plots play an active role in reducing nutrient loss in surface flow and sediment, but the increased infiltration in covered management plots is associated with the risk of groundwater contamination in subsurface flow. The C-N-P ratios of subsurface flow in OB and covered managed plots (OI, OG, and OS) were 1:3.3:1.6:2.7, 1:1.5:2.2:2.4 and 1:1.2:1.5:1.3, respectively. Therefore, when managing the phenomenon of soil erosion through ground cover measures, attention should also be focused on the function of cover measures in regulating non-point source pollution underground, such as subsurface flow. This research recommends a combination of cover management measures to further mitigate erosion and the risk of groundwater contamination.

Research on Coix seed as a food and medicinal resource, it's chemical components and their pharmacological activities: A review.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Coix lacryma-jobi var. ma-yuen (Romanet du Caillaud) Stapf is a plant of the genus Coix in the Gramineae family. Coix seed is cultivated in various regions throughout China. In recent years, with the research on the medicinal value of Coix seed, it has received more and more widespread attention from people. Numerous pharmacological effects of Coix seed have been demonstrated through modern pharmacological studies, such as hypoglycemia, improving liver function, anti-tumor, regulating intestinal microbiota, improving spleen function, and anti-inflammatory effects. AIMS OF THE STUDY: This article is a literature review. In recent years, despite the extensive research on Coix seed, there has yet to be a comprehensive review of its traditional usage, medicinal resources, chemical components, and pharmacological effects is still lacking. To fill this gap, the paper provides an overview of the latest research progress on Coix seed, aiming to offer guidance and references for its further development and comprehensive utilization. MATERIAL AND METHODS: To gather information on the traditional usage, phytochemical ingredients, and pharmacological properties of Coix seed, we conducted a literature search using both Chinese and English languages in five databases: PubMed, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Springer. RESULTS: This article is a literature review. The chemical constituents of Coix seed include various fatty acids, esters, polysaccharides, sterols, alkaloids, triterpenes, tocopherols, lactams, lignans, phenols, flavonoids and other constituents. Modern pharmacological research has indeed shown that Coix seed has many pharmacological effects and is a natural anti-tumor drug. In addition to its anti-tumor effect, it also has pharmacological effects such as hypoglycemia, improving liver function, regulating intestinal microbiota, improving spleen function, and anti-inflammatory effects. CONCLUSIONS: This article provides a brief overview of the traditional uses, biotechnological applications, chemical components, and pharmacological effects of Coix seed. It highlights the importance of establishing quality standards, discovering new active ingredients, and exploring pharmacological mechanisms in Coix seed research. The article also emphasizes the significance of clinical trials, toxicology studies, pharmacokinetics data, and multidisciplinary collaboration for further advancements in this field. Overall, it aims to enhance understanding of Coix seed and its potential in pharmaceutical development and wellness products.

Unveiling the nitrogen and phosphorus removal potential: Comparative analysis of three coastal wetland plant species in lab-scale constructed wetlands.

It is well accepted that tidal wetland vegetation performs a significant amount of water filtration for wetlands. However, there is currently little information on how various wetland plants remove nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) and how they differ in their denitrification processes. This study compared and investigated the denitrification and phosphorus removal effects of three typical wetland plants in the Yangtze River estuary wetland (Phragmites australis, Spartina alterniflora, and Scirpus mariqueter), as well as their relevant mechanisms, using an experimental laboratory-scale horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetland (CW). The results showed that all treatment groups with plants significantly reduced N pollutants as compared to the control group without plants. In comparison to S. mariqueter (77.2-83.2%), S. alterniflora and P. australis had a similar total nitrogen (TN)removal effectiveness of nearly 95%. With a removal effectiveness of over 99% for ammonium nitrogen (NH4+-N), P. australis outperformed S. alterniflora (95.6-96.8%) and S. mariqueter (94.6-96.5%). The removal of nitrite nitrogen (NO2--N)and nitrate nitrogen (NO3--N)from wastewater was significantly enhanced by S. alterniflora compared to the other treatment groups. Across all treatment groups, the removal rate of PO43--P was greater than 95%. P. australis and S. alterniflora considerably enriched more 15N than S. mariqueter, according to the results of the 15N isotope labeling experiment. While the rhizosphere and bulk sediments of S. alterniflora were enriched with more simultaneous desulfurization-denitrification bacterial genera (such as Paracoccus, Sulfurovum, and Sulfurimonas), which have denitrification functions, the rhizosphere and bulk sediments of P. australis were enriched with more ammonia-oxidizing archaea and ammonia-oxidizing bacteria. As a result, compared to the other plants, P. australis and S. alterniflora demonstrate substantially more significant ability to remove NH4+-N and NO2--N/NO3--N from simulated domestic wastewater.

Phosphorus availability regulates nitrogen fixation rate through a key diazotrophic assembly: Evidence from a subtropical Moso bamboo forest subjected to nitrogen application.

Biological N fixation (BNF) is an important N input process for terrestrial ecosystems. Long-term N application increases the availability of N, but may also lead to phosphorus (P) deficiency or an imbalance between N and P. Here, we performed a 5-year N application experiment in a subtropical Phyllostachys heterocycla forest in site and a P application experiment in vitro to investigate the effect of N application on the BNF rate and its regulatory factor. The BNF rate, nifH gene, free-living diazotrophic community composition and plant properties were measured. We found that N application suppressed the BNF rate and nifH gene abundance, whereas the BNF rate in soils with added P was significantly higher overall than that in soils without added P. Moreover, we identified a key diazotrophic assembly (Mod#2), primarily comprising Bradyrhizobium, Geobacter, Desulfovibrio, Anaeromyxobacter, and Pseudodesulfovibrio, which explained 77 % of the BNF rate variation. There was a significant positive correlation between the Mod#2 abundance and soil available P, and the random forest results showed that soil available P is the most important factor affecting the Mod#2 abundance. Our findings highlight the importance of soil P availability in regulating the activities of key diazotrophs, and thus increasing P supply may help to promote N accumulation and primary productivity through facilitating the BNF process in forest ecosystems.

Ethnobotanical study of traditional forage plants in the Gansu-Ningxia-Inner Mongolia junction zone: conservation and sustainable utilization for animal husbandry.

INTRODUCTION: This study aims to safeguard the ethnobotanical knowledge pertaining to traditional forage plants within the ethnically diverse Gansu-Ningxia-Inner Mongolia junction zone. It seeks to establish a foundation for the sustainable utilization of these traditional resources for animal husbandry. METHODS: A combination of literature research, village interviews, participatory observation, and ethnobotanical quantitative evaluation methods was employed to investigate and study the traditional knowledge of wild forage plants used by local residents in the study area. RESULTS: Local residents provided information on 73 forage plants, which were identified as 116 distinct wild forage plant species. These plants belong to 22 families and play an active role in the lives of the local inhabitants. Notably, the families Poaceae, Fabaceae, and Asteraceae are prominent, comprising the most abundant and widely utilized wild forage plants. Bing Cao (collectively referring to plants of the Agropyron, Leymus, and Psammochloa), Suo Cao (collectively referring to plants of the genus Stipa), and Ku Cai (encompassing Lactuca tatarica (L.) C.A.Mey. and Ixeris polycephala Cass.) emerge as the most representative and vital wild forage plants for animal husbandry. Additionally, plants within the Astragalus (referred to collectively as NiaoZi by local residents) in the Fabaceae family, as well as plants from the Amaranthaceae family, exhibit notable significance. CONCLUSION: Animal husbandry assumes a pivotal role in the local agricultural economy, and the 116 wild forage plants investigated hold substantial importance in its development. Among these, 59 and 103 plant resources display high developmental potential, making them prospective candidates for high-quality cultivated forage grasses. Additionally, extensive grazing practices have resulted in significant ecological degradation within this already fragile ecosystem. The cultivation of forage grasses and the practice of pen-based animal husbandry may emerge as crucial strategies for sustainable development in this area.

Application of Miscanthus substrates in the cultivation of Ganoderma lingzhi.

Ganoderma lingzhi is a traditional Chinese medicine that has been used to improve health and longevity for thousands of years. It is usually cultivated on hardwood log- or sawdust-based formulations. Conversely, in this study, we used Miscanthus sacchariflorus (MSF), M. floridulus, and M. sinensis (MSS), fast-growing perennial grasses widely distributed in China, for G. lingzhi cultivation. Mycelial growth rate, activities of lignin-degrading enzymes on colonized mushroom substrates, and expression levels of CAZymes and laccase genes based on different substrates were analyzed. Total triterpenoids, sterols, and polysaccharides content of fruiting bodies obtained from different substrates were investigated. The activities of laccase and manganese peroxidase in mycelia increased in the MSF- and MSS-based formulations compared with that in the sawdust-based formulation. The results of mycelial growth- and cultivation-related experiments showed that the Miscanthus substrates could be used as the substrates for cultivating G. lingzhi. The content of active ingredients, namely triterpenoids, sterols, and polysaccharides, in fruiting bodies cultivated on the Miscanthus substrates did not decrease compared with those in substrate obtained from the sawdust-based formulation. Therefore, the present study provides alternative substrates for the cultivation of G. lingzhi, and a reference for better utilization of inexpensive substrate in future.

Changes in the skin characteristics of Nellore steers during the rearing phase in hot climate pasture supplemented with protein sources.

We hypothesized that the protein source in supplements and the insolation and ambient temperature changes in different seasons could cause changes in the skin of Nellore steers during the rearing phase on warm-climate pasture. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of replacing true protein (soybean meal) with NPN (extruded urea) in the supplement on the skin characteristics of steers grazing on Marandu grass pastures. Thirty-six Nellore steers with an average initial weight of 250.0 kg and 15 months of age were used. Skin biopsies were performed at three different times: summer, autumn, and winter. The protein source has effects on the length of the glandular portion, number of follicles, and gland area in steers during the rearing phase at different seasons of the year. In the summer, the skin presented a higher compact structure, while in the autumn and winter, the skin presented a sparser arrangement. Skin from steers that received soybean meal in supplement had a more significant number of follicles in the summer and a smaller area and length of sweat glands. The dermis thickness of steers supplemented with soybean meal was greater than that of urea supplemented. The epidermis thickness and dermis of the steers' skin were greater at the autumn (April). Sweat gland depth was greater in autumn (April) and winter (July) than in summer (December). The protein source in the supplement alters the skin characteristics by increasing of dermis thickness of Nellore steers during the growth phase. The insolation and ambient temperature changes in different seasons alter the skin structure by increasing the epidermis and dermis thickness, sweat glands depth, and glands area of the skin of steers during the growth phase.

Assessment of treatment-specific tethering survival bias for the juvenile blue crab Callinectes sapidus in a simulated salt marsh.

The blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) is ecologically and economically important in Chesapeake Bay. Nursery habitats, such as seagrass beds, disproportionately contribute individuals to the adult segment of populations. Salt marshes dominated by smooth cordgrass Spartina alterniflora are intertidal nursery habitats which may serve as a refuge from predation for juvenile blue crabs. However, the effects of various characteristics of salt marshes on nursery metrics, such as survival, have not been quantified. Comparisons of juvenile survival between salt marshes and other habitats often employ tethering to assess survival. Although experimental bias when tethering juvenile prey is well recognized, the potential for habitat-specific bias in salt marshes has not been experimentally tested. Using short-term mesocosm predation experiments, we tested if tethering in simulated salt marsh habitats produces a habitat-specific bias. Juvenile crabs were tethered or un-tethered and randomly allocated to mesocosms at varying simulated shoot densities and unstructured sand. Tethering reduced survival, and its effect was not habitat specific, irrespective of shoot density, as evidenced by a non-significant interaction effect between tethering treatment and habitat. Thus, tethering juvenile blue crabs in salt marsh habitat did not produce treatment-specific bias relative to unvegetated habitat across a range of shoot densities; survival of tethered and un-tethered crabs was positively related to shoot density. These findings indicate that tethering is a useful method for assessing survival in salt marshes, as with other nursery habitats including seagrass beds, algae and unstructured sand.

Asymmetric response of aboveground and belowground temporal stability to nitrogen and phosphorus addition in a Tibetan alpine grassland.

Anthropogenic eutrophication is known to impair the stability of aboveground net primary productivity (ANPP), but its effects on the stability of belowground (BNPP) and total (TNPP) net primary productivity remain poorly understood. Based on a nitrogen and phosphorus addition experiment in a Tibetan alpine grassland, we show that nitrogen addition had little impact on the temporal stability of ANPP, BNPP, and TNPP, whereas phosphorus addition reduced the temporal stability of BNPP and TNPP, but not ANPP. Significant interactive effects of nitrogen and phosphorus addition were observed on the stability of ANPP because of the opposite phosphorus effects under ambient and enriched nitrogen conditions. We found that the stability of TNPP was primarily driven by that of BNPP rather than that of ANPP. The responses of BNPP stability cannot be predicted by those of ANPP stability, as the variations in responses of ANPP and BNPP to enriched nutrient, with ANPP increased while BNPP remained unaffected, resulted in asymmetric responses in their stability. The dynamics of grasses, the most abundant plant functional group, instead of community species diversity, largely contributed to the ANPP stability. Under the enriched nutrient condition, the synchronization of grasses reduced the grass stability, while the latter had a significant but weak negative impact on the BNPP stability. These findings challenge the prevalent view that species diversity regulates the responses of ecosystem stability to nutrient enrichment. Our findings also suggest that the ecological consequences of nutrient enrichment on ecosystem stability cannot be accurately predicted from the responses of aboveground components and highlight the need for a better understanding of the belowground ecosystem dynamics.