Analyzing temporal and spatial forest carbon storage using Google Plus Code: a case study of Zijin Mountain National Forest Park, China.

BACKGROUND: It is always a challenging job to compare forest resources as there is not a standardized spatial unit with location information. Google Plus Code, the newest alphanumeric geocoding system, uses 20 specifically selected letters and numbers to assign a unique global ID to every cell at different levels of a hierarchical grid system which is established based on latitude and longitude. It can be used as a standardized, unique global geospatial unit to segment, locate, quantitate, evaluate, and compare natural resources with area, boundary, and location information embedded. RESULTS: For this proof-of-concept case study, forest inventory data from 1987, 2002, and 2019 for the Zijin Mountain National Forest Park in Jiangsu Province, China was analyzed based on Google Plus Code grid/cell. This enabled the quantification of carbon storage at each cell allowing for the comparison of estimated carbon storage at same or different locations over time. CONCLUSIONS: This methodology is used to quantify the impacts of changing forest conditions and forest management activities on carbon storage with high spatial accuracy through the 32-year study period. Furthermore, this technique could be used for providing technical support and validation of carbon credit quantification and management.

Sauchinone Inhibits the Proliferation and Immune Invasion Capacity of Colorectal Cancer Cells through the Suppression of PD-L1 and MMP2/MM9.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common tumors globally and a leading cause of cancer-related death. In China, CRC is the third most common cancer type. Sauchinone is known to exhibit anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory activity, but its effects on CRC have not been investigated to-date Objective: To investigate the effects of Sauchinone on CRC development and metastasis and its underlying mechanism( s) of action. METHODS: SW480 and HCT116 cells were treated with a range of concentrations of Sauchinone. Cell proliferation was measured using EDU assays and flow cytometry. RESULTS: Treatment with 50 µM Sauchinone decreased the expression of MMP2 and MMP9 and downregulated PD-L1 expression (PD-1/PD-L1) leading to checkpoint inhibition. Sauchinone treatment also enhanced the cytotoxicity of SW840 and HCT116 cells co-cultured with CD8+ T cells. The overexpression of PD-L1 rescued the anti-proliferative and cytotoxic effects of Sauchinone in both types. CONCLUSIONS: We show that Sauchinone suppresses CRC cell growth through the downregulation of MMP2 and MM9 expression and PD-1/PD-L1 mediated checkpoint inhibition. Collectively, these data highlight the promise of Sauchinone as a future anti-CRC therapeutic.

[Soil organic carbon density of Eucalyptus plantations in Guangdong province of China and related affecting factors].

Soil samples were collected from the Eucalyptus plantations in the north, east, and west Guangdong and Pearl River Delta region to study their organic carbon content and density, and the main factors affecting the organic carbon density. In the plantations, the soil organic carbon content and density in A and B horizons were significantly different, with the values of (23.94 +/- 2.97) g x kg(-1) and (9.68 +/- 1.05) g x kg(-1), and (27.64 +/- 7.72) t x hm(-2) and (108.36 +/- 9.37) t x hm(-2), respectively. In 0-50 cm soil layer, the organic carbon density was 66.72 +/- 6.53 t x hm(-2), being slightly higher than that in Masson pine and Chinese fir plantations in Guangdong. In both A and B horizons of Eucalyptus plantations, soil organic carbon density was significantly positively correlated with altitude, soil total porosity, capillary porosity, capillary moisture capacity, and total nitrogen content. Soil capillary porosity, capillary moisture capacity, and pH value were the main factors affecting the soil organic carbon density.