The extent of temporary water bodies increased in the drylands of northern China: a multiscale analysis based on MODIS data.

Understanding the dynamics of temporary water bodies (TWBs) is crucial for sustainable development in the drylands of northern China (DNC). Our objective was to quantify the dynamics of TWBs in the DNC between 2000 and 2015. First, we extracted TWBs in the DNC from 2000 to 2015 using the modified normalized difference water index based on Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer data. Then, we examined the spatiotemporal patterns of TWBs in the DNC at multiple scales, ranging from the entire region to basins. We found that the area of TWBs increased significantly in the DNC (5.97 thousand km2 in 2000 to 9.92 thousand km2 in 2015) at an annual growth rate of 4.41%. The Heilongjiang Basin had the largest increase in TWBs (848 km2 in 2000 to 3230 km2 in 2015), with an annual growth rate of 23.41%. Such growth was mainly attributed to changes in precipitation in the DNC. We also found that approximately 1/3 of the increase in TWBs was distributed over grasslands and barren lands, which provide valuable water resources that may improve biodiversity and ecosystem services in the DNC. Thus, we suggest that effective measures are needed to manage TWBs to achieve sustainable development in the DNC.

Curcumin-loaded chitosan-based hydrogels accelerating S. aureus-infected wound healing.

The damaged skin for some reasons is vulnerable to invasion by bacteria and other harmful microorganisms, leading to delay of the wound healing. In order to promote the infected wound healing, curcumin was loaded with chitosan-based hydrogel was formed through phenylborate ester bonding and its properties and effects on the S. aureus-infected wound healing was tested. It was found the hydrogel showed good antioxidation on the intracellular reactive oxygen species, inhibition on the growth of S. aureus, and acceleration the infected skin healing. The ablity of hydrogel due to its regulating inflammation, promoting angiogenesis and collagen synthesis in the wound site. This research work suggested that the developed multifunctional hydrogel might be a beneficial treatment for the infected wound healing.

Study on Enzyme Activity and Metabolomics during Culture of Liquid Spawn of Floccularia luteovirens.

To comprehensively investigate the physiological characteristics and metabolic processes of the mycelium of Floccularia luteovirens (F. luteovirens), a wild edible fungus unique to the plateau region, we conducted an in-depth analysis of the mycelium enzyme activity and metabolites during different culture periods. The activity of seven enzymes all followed a trend of initially increasing and then decreasing. The intra- and extracellular activity peaks of three hydrolases-amylase, protease, and cellulase-all occurred on the 20th day, except for the extracellular amylase, which peaked on the 15th day. In contrast, the peak activity of laccase occurred on the 10th day. Moreover, three types of oxidoreductases in the mycelium (catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC)-dehydrogenase (TTC-DH)) also exhibited significant changes in activity. CAT and SOD activity reached their maximum on the 20th day, whereas TTC-DH showed high activity on both the 10th and 20th days. Through a comprehensive assessment of the evolving trends of these physiological parameters, we determined that the optimal cultivation cycle for F. luteovirens liquid spawn is 20 days. An untargeted metabolomic analysis revealed that 3569 metabolites were detected in the F. luteovirens mycelium, including a variety of secondary metabolites and functional components, with terpenoids being particularly abundant, accounting for 148 types. By comparing three different culture stages (10 days, 20 days, and 30 days), 299, 291, and 381 metabolites, respectively, showed different accumulation patterns in the comparison groups of 10d vs. 20d, 20d vs. 30d, and 10d vs. 30d. These differential metabolites were primarily concentrated in carboxylic acids and their derivatives, fatty acyl groups, organic oxygen compounds, and lipid compounds. In addition, there were several amino acids whose abundance continued to grow during culturing. The metabolism of amino acids greatly affects mycelium growth and development. This research delineates the interplay between mycelium growth and metabolism, offering empirical support for a cultivation strategy for liquid F. luteovirens, and an exploration of its metabolites for potential applications.

Water shortages raised a legitimate concern over the sustainable development of the drylands of northern China: Evidence from the water stress index.

Developing a greater understanding of water stress dynamics is crucial for sustainable development in global drylands. The primary goal of this study was to examine the water stress dynamics throughout the drylands of northern China (DNC). We first calculated the water stress index (WSI) of all 474 catchments in the DNC in 2003 and 2014. Then, we investigated the water stress dynamics in the DNC between 2003 and 2014 at multiple scales, which included the entire DNC, the drainage basins, and the main cities. In 2014, we found water stress in DNC over an area of 2.05×106km2, which accounted for 52.13% of the total area of the DNC. From 2003 to 2014, the water stress in the DNC increased primarily because of increases in the area of irrigated croplands and the population of urban areas, and the total increase in the water stress area reached 3.14×105km2, which accounted for 7.98% of the total area of the DNC. We also found that water shortages raised a legitimate concern over the sustainable development of the DNC because the population and urban land area exposed to water stress in the DNC have rapidly increased by 2.61×107 persons and 1.25×104km2 over the past two decades, respectively. Thus, we argue that effective actions are required to address the water stress in the DNC.