Responses of leaf traits to altitude in Quercus aquifolioides and Sorbus rehderiana on the eastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China.

As the most senstitive plant organs to environmental changes, leaves serve as crucial indicators of plant survival strategies. We measured the morphology, anatomical traits, gas exchange parameters, and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters of Quercus aquifolioides (evergreen broad-leaved) and Sorbus rehderiana (deciduous broad-leaved) at altitudes of 2600, 2800, 3000, 3200 and 3400 m on the eastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China. We explored the similarity and difference in their responses to altitude change and the ecological adaptation strategy. The results showed that as the altitude increased, leaf dry matter content of Q. aquifolioides decreased, that of S. rehderiana increased, leaf size for both species gradually decreased, and the palisade coefficient of Q. aquifolioides showed a decreasing trend, contrasting with the increasing trend in S. rehderiana. As the altitude increased, the thickness of leaves, palisade tissue, spongy tissue, upper epidermis, and lower epidermis of both species increased significantly, with the increment of 22.4%, 4.9%, 45.1%, 23.3%, 19.6%, and 28.2%, 46.9%, 8.9%, 25.9%, 20.8% at altitude of 3400 m, respectively, compared with the altitude of 2600 m. The gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters of S. rehderiana significantly increased with increasing altitude, while Q. aquifolioides showed the opposite trend. Leaf anatomical traits, gas exchange, and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters of both species displayed considerable plasticity. There were significant correlations among most leaf traits and between leaf traits and altitude. The survival strategy of Q. aquifolioides was more conservative in response to altitude changes, while that of S. rehderiana was more active. Both species adapted to different altitudes by adjusting their own traits.

Multi-omics revealed molecular mechanism of biphenyl phytoalexin formation in response to yeast extract-induced oxidative stress in Sorbus aucuparia suspension cells.

KEY MESSAGE: Yeast extract-induced oxidative stress in Sorbus aucuparia suspension cells leads to the biosynthesis of various hormones, which activates specific signaling pathways that augments biphenyl phytoalexin production. Pathogen incursions pose a significant threat to crop yield and can have a pronounced effect on agricultural productivity and food security. Biphenyl phytoalexins are a specialized group of secondary metabolites that are mainly biosynthesized by Pyrinae plants as a defense mechanism against various pathogens. Despite previous research demonstrating that biphenyl phytoalexin production increased dramatically in Sorbus aucuparia suspension cells (SASCs) treated with yeast extract (YE), the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. To address this gap, we conducted an in-depth, multi-omics analysis of transcriptome, proteome, and metabolite (including biphenyl phytoalexins and phytohormones) dynamics in SASCs exposed to YE. Our results indicated that exposure to YE-induced oxidative stress in SASCs, leading to the biosynthesis of a range of hormones, including jasmonic acid (JA), jasmonic acid isoleucine (JA-ILE), gibberellin A4 (GA4), indole-3-carboxylic acid (ICA), and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). These hormones activated specific signaling pathways that promoted phenylpropanoid biosynthesis and augmented biphenyl phytoalexin production. Moreover, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated during this process also acted as signaling molecules, amplifying the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis cascade through activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. Key genes involved in these signaling pathways included SaBIS1, SaBIS2, SaBIS3, SaPAL, SaB4H, SaOMT, SaUGT1, SaLOX2, SaPR1, SaCHIB1, SaCHIB2 and SaCHIB3. Collectively, this study provided intensive insights into biphenyl phytoalexin accumulation in YE-treated SASCs, which would inform the development of more efficient disease-resistance strategies in economically significant cultivars.

[Triterpenoids in Sorbus pohuashanensis suspension cell treated with yeast extract].

This study induced biological stress in Sorbus pohuashanensis suspension cell(SPSC) with yeast extract(YE) as a bio-tic elicitor and isolated and identified secondary metabolites of triterpenoids produced under stress conditions. Twenty-six triterpenoids, including fifteen ursane-type triterpenoids(1-15), two 18,19-seco-ursane-type triterpenoids(16-17), four lupine-type triterpenoids(18-21), two cycloartane-type triterpenoids(22-23), and three squalene-type triterpenoids(24-26), were isolated and purified from the methanol extract of SPSC by chromatography on silica gel, MCI, Sephadex LH-20, and MPLC. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses. All triterpenoids were isolated from SPSC for the first time and 22-O-acetyltripterygic acid A(1) was identified as a new compound. Selected compounds were evaluated for antifungal, antitumor, and anti-inflammatory activities, and compound 1 showed an inhibitory effect on NO production in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells.

Fruits of Wild-Grown Shrubs for Health Nutrition.

Cultivated fruits and berries, such as raspberries, strawberries, black currants, cherries, blueberries, are generally recognized sources of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and other substances beneficial to human health and well-being. However, there are also wild berries and fruits that are of undoubted interest as food products having valuable medicinal properties due to the presence of phenolic compounds, antioxidants, and vitamins. These fruits have a great potential to be used in functional food making. The present review is dedicated to fruits of wild-grown shrubs Bird cherry (Prunus padus L.), Rowan berry (Sorbus aucuparia L.), Guelder rose (Viburnum opulus L.), Black elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.), and Barberry (Berberis vulgaris L.) The chemical compositions of these wild berries are described as well as their effects on the improvement of human health proved by clinical trials and epidemiological studies. The possibilities of using the fruits of wild-grown shrubs in the preparation of functional foods and examples of their implementation for the manufacturing of dairy, bakery and meat products are considered.

Exploring Sorbus torminalis Leaves: Unveiling a Promising Natural Resource for Diverse Chemical and Biological Applications.

Sorbus torminalis (L.) Crantz has a rich history of versatile applications spanning the fields of medicine and nutrition. It is noteworthy that the decoction obtained from S. torminalis leaves is a traditional treatment method against both diabetes and stomach disorders. Phytochemical profiling determined by HPLC/MS-MS. The effects of the extracts on cell viability were investigated using the MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) method against MDA-MB-231 cell line (human breast adenocarcinoma).The ethanol/water extract contained more concentration of total phenolic (91.41 mg gallic acid (GAE) equivalent /gr) and flavanoid (29.10 mg rutin (RE) equivalent/gr) in the tested extract (p<0.05). Resulting of HPLC analysis, the chemical constituents varied depending on the solvents and chlorogenic acid, hyperoside, isoquercetin, delphindin-3,5-diglucoside, procyanidin B2, epicatechin, neochlorogenic acid, 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid were identified in all extracts. Overall, ethanol, n-hexane and ethyl acetate extracts showed the highest inhibition for the tyrosinase enzyme. The effect of leaf extracts of S. torminalis on antimicrobial, biofilm inhibitory, and anticancer activities was examined. Based on outcomes of our study recognize this plant as a critical source of medically active chemicals for feasible phytopharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications, providing the first scientific insight into the detailed biological and chemical profiles of S. torminalis.

[The Antioxidant and Geroprotective Properties of an Extract of Mountain Ash (Sorbus aucuparia L.) Fruits].

Plant polyphenols are characterized by a wide range of biological activities, including antioxidant properties, and have a high geroprotective potential. The purpose of this work was to investigate the effect of the extract of rowan berries (Sorbus aucuparia L.) on the lifespan and stress resistance of Drosophila melanogaster with the identification of possible mechanisms of its biological activity. It has been established that an ethanol extract of S. aucuparia berries, the main components of which are rutin and cyanidin-3-rutinoside, has a pronounced antioxidant activity in vitro. At the same time, treatment with rowan berry extract increased the resistance of D. melanogaster males to starvation, but reduced resistance to hyperthermia. In females, the extract reduced resistance to oxidative stress but increased resistance to hyperthermia. The effects of rowan berry extract on longevity depended both on its concentration and on the sex of fruit flies. In response to treatment with rowan berry extract, D. melanogaster males and females showed slight differences in the background level of expression of cellular stress response genes, including heat shock genes (hsp27, hsp68, and hsp83), oxidative stress resistance genes (hif1, nrf2, and sod1), circadian rhythm genes (clk and per), and the longevity gene sirt1, which may explain the differences in the observed effects.

The Nephroprotective Effect of Cornelian Cherry (Cornus mas L.) and Rowanberry (Sorbus aucuparia L.) in Gentamicin-Induced Nephrotoxicity on Wistar Rats with Emphasis on the Evaluation of Novel Renal Biomarkers and the Antioxidant Capacity in Correlation with Nitro-Oxidative Stress.

In spite of its well-known nephrotoxicity, gentamicin is nonetheless routinely used in humans and animals. However, no adjuvant treatments have been implemented to mitigate this harmful effect. Given this concern, medicinal plants represent a significant reservoir of natural antioxidants that could potentially reduce the renal oxidative stress induced by gentamicin. Therefore, the main objective of this research was to investigate the nephroprotective properties of Cornus mas and Sorbus aucuparia fruits in an experimental model of nephrotoxicity. The 3-week study was performed on male Wistar rats, which were randomly divided into six experimental groups, being subcutaneously treated with 50 mg/kg gentamicin and orally given Cornus mas and Sorbus aucuparia extracts, in doses of 40 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg, respectively. Antioxidant therapy significantly improved the nitro-oxidative stress parameters as well as the specific renal biomarkers KIM-1 and iNAG, demonstrating a considerable renal tubular protective impact. These outcomes were reinforced by biochemical and histopathological enhancements. Nevertheless, neither of the tested extracts succeeded in substantially diminishing BUN levels. Additionally, CysC did not significantly decline following extracts treatment, suggesting that the remedies did not effectively protect renal glomeruli against gentamicin stress. Future studies are required in order to determine the underlying mechanisms of these berries.

Stem of Sorbus commixta Hedl. Extract Inhibits Cartilage Degradation and Arthritic Pain in Experimental Model via Anti-Inflammatory Activity.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a widespread joint disease that affects millions of people worldwide. Conventional treatments for OA, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and steroids, have a risk of various adverse events, including liver, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and kidney disease, which are unsatisfactory in their effectiveness. In this study, Sorbus commixta Hedl. Stem extracts (SCE) were evaluated in animal models as potential inhibitors for the progression of OA. Sorbus commixta Hedl., which was found to have substantial anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities in earlier investigations, has shown potential as a candidate for OA treatment. To mimic human OA symptoms, male rats were injected using sodium iodoacetate (MIA) in their knee joints. SCE significantly reduced MIA-induced weight-bearing loss in rats after the MIA injection and alleviated cartilage degradation and subchondral bone injury caused by MIA. In addition, SCE administration reduced levels of TNF-α and IL-1ß such as pro-inflammatory cytokines in serum, as well as the levels of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) such as MMP-1, -3, -8 and -13 in the joint cartilage. SCE significantly inhibited the writhing responses in acetic acid-administered mice and was used to quantify pain. In lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated RAW264.7, SCE suppressed NO production and reduced the expression of TNF-α, PGE2, IL-6, IL-1ß, MMP1, MMP3, MMP8, and MMP-13. Our study showed that SCE alleviated inflammation and cartilage degradation in arthritis through its anti-inflammatory activities on multiple targets.

Prevention of the Genotoxic Effects of Doxorubicin with Anthocyanin-Containing Complex from Sorbus aucuparia L. Fruit.

We studied the effect of an anthocyanin-containing complex from the fruits of S. aucuparia L. on doxorubicin-induced genotoxicity in bone marrow cells of C57BL/6 mice. The complex reduced the genotoxic effect doxorubicin in metaphase plates of bone marrow cells in 24, 48 h, and 10 days after the administration of the cytostatic. The mean number of single fragments and the fraction of cells with gaps and aberrant metaphases also decreased.

Exogenous Ethylene Alleviates the Inhibition of Sorbus pohuashanensis Embryo Germination in a Saline-Alkali Environment (NaHCO3).

Saline-alkali stress is a major environmental stress affecting the growth and development of plants such as Sorbus pohuashanensis. Although ethylene plays a crucial role in plant response to saline-alkaline stress, its mechanism remains elusive. The mechanism of action of ethylene (ETH) may be related to the accumulation of hormones, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and reactive nitrogen species (RNS). Ethephon is the exogenous ethylene donor. Therefore, for the present study we initially used different concentrations of ethephon (ETH) to treat S. pohuashanensis embryos and identified the best treatment concentration and method to promote the release of dormancy and the germination of S. pohuashanensis embryos. We then analyzed the physiological indexes, including endogenous hormones, ROS, antioxidant components, and reactive nitrogen, in embryos and seedlings to elucidate the mechanism via which ETH manages stress. The analysis showed that 45 mg/L was the best concentration of ETH to relieve the embryo dormancy. ETH at this concentration improved the germination of S. pohuashanensis by 183.21% under saline-alkaline stress; it also improved the germination index and germination potential of the embryos. Further analysis revealed that ETH treatment increased the levels of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC), gibberellin (GA), soluble protein, nitric oxide (NO), and glutathione (GSH); increased the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), nitrate reductase (NR), and nitric oxide synthase (NOS); and decreased the levels of abscisic acid (ABA), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), superoxide anion, and malondialdehyde (MDA) of S. pohuashanensis under saline-alkali stress. These results indicate that ETH mitigates the inhibitory effects of saline-alkali stress and provides a theoretical basis by which to establish precise control techniques for the release of seed dormancy of tree species.

Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Profiling of Heat Shock Protein 20 Gene Family in Sorbus pohuashanensis (Hance) Hedl under Abiotic Stress.

Small heat shock proteins (HSP20s) are a significant factor in plant growth and development in response to abiotic stress. In this study, we investigated the role of HSP20s' response to the heat stress of Sorbus pohuashanensis introduced into low-altitude areas. The HSP20 gene family was identified based on the genome-wide data of S. pohuashanensis, and the expression patterns of tissue specificity and the response to abiotic stresses were evaluated. Finally, we identified 38 HSP20 genes that were distributed on 16 chromosomes. Phylogenetic analysis of HSP20s showed that the closest genetic relationship to S. pohuashanensis (SpHSP20s) is Malus domestica, followed by Populus trichocarpa and Arabidopsis thaliana. According to phylogenetic analysis and subcellular localization prediction, the 38 SpHSP20s belonged to 10 subfamilies. Analysis of the gene structure and conserved motifs indicated that HSP20 gene family members are relatively conserved. Synteny analysis showed that the expansion of the SpHSP20 gene family was mainly caused by segmental duplication. In addition, many cis-acting elements connected with growth and development, hormones, and stress responsiveness were found in the SpHSP20 promoter region. Analysis of expression patterns showed that these genes were closely related to high temperature, drought, salt, growth, and developmental processes. These results provide information and a theoretical basis for the exploration of HSP20 gene family resources, as well as the domestication and genetic improvement of S. pohuashanensis.

Cryptic population structure at the northern range margin of the service tree Sorbus domestica.

Climate change has aroused interest in planting warm- and drought-adapted trees in managed forests and urban areas. An option is to focus on tree species that occur naturally, but have centers of distribution in warmer and drier areas. However, in order to protect the species pool of genetic diversity, efforts of planting and promotion should be informed by knowledge on the local genetic diversity. Here, we studied the macro- and micro-scale population genetic structure of the rare European fruit tree Sorbus domestica at its northern range margin, in western Switzerland. New microsatellite data were combined with published data from across the European distribution of the species. Analyses revealed the presence of mainly one of two species-wide ancestral clusters, i.e., the western European cluster, with evidence that it consists of two cryptic sub-clusters. Average pairwise F ST of 0.118 was low across the range, and only allelic richness was reduced in the northern margin compared to more southern and southeastern areas of Europe. Based on our finding of considerable genetic diversity of the species in western and northern Switzerland, we suggest that a national propagation program should focus on collecting seeds from natural, high-density tree stands and propagate locally. More generally, our study shows that rare tree species in marginal areas of their distributions do not necessarily have low genetic diversity or heightened levels of inbreeding, and in those cases probably need no assisted migration in efforts to propagate them.

Metabolic and Transcriptional Stress Memory in Sorbus pohuashanensis Suspension Cells Induced by Yeast Extract.

Plant stress memory can provide the benefits of enhanced protection against additional stress exposure. Here, we aimed to explore the responses of recurrent and non-recurrent yeast extract (YE) stresses in Sorbus pohuashanensis suspension cells (SPSCs) at metabolomics and transcriptional levels. Biochemical analyses showed that the cell wall integrity and antioxidation capacity of SPSCs in the pretreated group were evidently improved. Metabolic analysis showed that there were 39 significantly altered metabolites in the pretreated group compared to the non-pretreated group. Based on the transcriptome analysis, 219 differentially expressed genes were obtained, which were highly enriched in plant-pathogen interaction, circadian rhythm-plant, oxidative phosphorylation, and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis. Furthermore, the correlation analysis of the transcriptome and metabolome data revealed that phenylpropanoid biosynthesis involved in the production of biphenyl phytoalexins may play a critical role in the memory response of SPSC to YE, and the key memory genes were also identified, including PAL1, BIS1, and BIS3. Collectively, the above results demonstrated that the memory responses of SPSC to YE were significant in almost all levels, which would be helpful for better understanding the adaptation mechanisms of medicinal plants in response to biotic stress, and laid a biotechnological foundation to accumulate favorable antimicrobial drug candidates from plant suspension cells.

Molecular Structure and Phylogenetic Analyses of the Plastomes of Eight Sorbus Sensu Stricto Species.

Sorbus L. is a genus of controversy on its taxonomic concept due to great variations in morphological characteristics. Sorbus sensu stricto species, being monophyletic, are characterized as pinnate leaves. However, phylogenetic relationships of these species are somewhat fluid based on morphological characteristics and genetic markers. In this study, the chloroplast (cp) genomes of eight Sorbus s. str. species were characterized and compared with those of twelve released species in this genus. Our results indicated that the plastomes of the twenty Sorbus species had a conserved quadripartite structure, and 129 annotated genes had the same order and showed a good collinearity. Additionally, numerous SSRs were observed in the cp genome of each Sorbus species; most of the sequence variations appeared in non-coding regions, and four intergenic regions were identified as mutation spots. By contrast, protein-coding genes showed low variations under purifying selection. The phylogenetic and molecular-dating analysis showed that Sorbus was resolved into two major clades, in which S. americana forms one clade originating at 51.78 Ma, and the rest of Sorbus formed another clade, splitting at 36.77 Ma into two sister groups with high support values. These results provide a basis for further studying the phylogenetic relationship and biogeography of Sorbus species.

Complete chloroplast genomes of Sorbus sensu stricto (Rosaceae): comparative analyses and phylogenetic relationships.

BACKGROUND: Sorbus sensu stricto (Sorbus s.s.) is a genus with important economical values because of its beautiful leaves, and flowers and especially the colorful fruits. It belongs to the tribe Maleae of the family Rosaceae, and comprises about 90 species mainly distributed in China. There is on-going dispute about its infrageneric classification and species delimitation as the species are morphologically similar. With the aim of shedding light on the circumscription of taxa within the genus, phylogenetic analyses were performed using 29 Sorbus s.s. chloroplast (cp) genomes (16 newly sequenced) representing two subgenera and eight sections. RESULTS: The 16 cp genomes newly sequenced range between 159,646 bp and 160,178 bp in length. All the samples examined and 22 taxa re-annotated in Sorbus sensu lato (Sorbus s.l.) contain 113 unique genes with 19 of these duplicated in the inverted repeat (IR). Six hypervariable regions including trnR-atpA, petN-psbM, rpl32-trnL, trnH-psbA, trnT-trnL and ndhC-trnV were screened and 44-53 SSRs and 14-31 dispersed repeats were identified as potential molecular markers. Phylogenetic analyses under ML/BI indicated that Sorbus s.l. is polyphyletic, but Sorbus s.s. and the other five segregate genera, Aria, Chamaemespilus, Cormus, Micromeles and Torminalis are monophyletic. Two major clades and four sub-clades resolved with full-support within Sorbus s.s. are not consistent with the existing infrageneric classification. Two subgenera, subg. Sorbus and subg. Albocarmesinae are supported as monophyletic when S. tianschanica is transferred to subg. Albocarmesinae from subg. Sorbus and S. hupehensis var. paucijuga transferred to subg. Sorbus from subg. Albocarmesinae, respectively. The current classification at sectional level is not supported by analysis of cp genome phylogeny. CONCLUSION: Phylogenomic analyses of the cp genomes are useful for inferring phylogenetic relationships in Sorbus s.s. Though genome structure is highly conserved in the genus, hypervariable regions and repeat sequences used are the most promising molecule makers for population genetics, species delimitation and phylogenetic studies.

Antioxidative Properties and Acrylamide Content of Functional Wheat-Flour Cookies Enriched with Wild-Grown Fruits.

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of widely grown fruits (wild roses, elderberries, sea buckthorns, rowans, chokeberries, and hawthorns) as a functional ingredient in wheat-flour cookie formulation on antioxidative properties with a simultaneous reduction of the carcinogen-like compound acrylamide. The organoleptic features of the cookies were assessed by a panel of consumers. The following parameters were measured: chemical composition, total polyphenols, polyphenolic profile, antioxidant activity, and acrylamide content. The overall ratings of the tested cookies with the addition of chokeberries, hawthorns, sea buckthorns, and elderberries were more than satisfactory, while wild rose and rowan cookies were the most widely accepted and best rated by the panelists. The antioxidant activity of the tested cookies was 1.1−15.22 µmol trolox·g−1 dm and 2.46−26.12 µmol Fe (II)·g−1 dm as measured by the ABTS and FRAP methods, respectively. All the fruit-enriched cookies had significantly higher antioxidative properties (p < 0.05) in comparison to the control cookies, but among the fruit-enriched cookies, there were differences in the quality and quantity of particular polyphenols. The acrylamide content was significantly decreased by 59% (hawthorn), 71% (rowan), 87% (wild rose), 89% (sea buckthorn), 91% (elderberry), and 94% (chokeberry) compared with the control cookies (p < 0.05). Cookies enriched with wild-grown fruits could constitute a promising novel snack food.

Sorbus intermedia (EHRH.) PERS. fruits as a novel source of biologically active triterpenoids - Comparative studies of ursolic acid derivatives with cytotoxic potential.

In the current study, the fruits of a popular ornamental tree, Sorbus intermedia, were investigated phytochemically and biologically as potential source of bioactive triterpenes. Six terpenoids were isolated and examined with respect to their cytotoxic activity using a broad screening in vitro model and multivariate analysis for better demonstration of the effects on cancer cells. This chemometric approach allowed us to confirm that the structural characteristics of the compounds significantly affected their impact on cell lines. Ursolic acid was found to be the most potent cytotoxic agent with IC50 predominantly < 10 µg/mL after 24 h of incubation. Its 3-acetoxy derivative was less active, however, an improvement in selectivity with regard to prostate panel was observed. Reduction of the carboxylic moiety at C28, as well as introduction of the hydroxyl group at 19α position led to complete loss of cytotoxic activity.

A Cross-Sectional, Multicenter Study Examining the Validation and Adaptation of the Chinese ROWAN Foot Pain Assessment Questionnaire.

BACKGROUND: The 39-item ROwan Foot Pain Assessment Questionnaire (ROFPAQ) has affective, cognitive, and sensory dimensions to evaluate chronic foot pain. However, to date, the ROFPAQ has only been validated in English and Spanish versions. A simplified Chinese version of ROFPAQ is still not available, even though China has a large population of patients with foot pain. OBJECTIVE: This study's aim was to translate the ROFPAQ into a Chinese version and assess its reliability and validity in Chinese patients with chronic foot pain. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional, multicenter descriptive study. SETTING: This study took place at the Chinese PLA General Hospital, PLA Strategic Support Force Characteristic Medical Center and Wenzhou integrated traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang traditional Chinese Medicine University. METHODS: The ROFPAQ-C (Chinese) was developed by a forward/backward translation protocol and cross-cultural adaptation from the United Kingdom to China, and from English to Chinese Putonghua. A total of 194 patients from 3 centers with chronic foot pain were recruited for test-retest measures from July 2020 though September 2021. RESULTS: Adequate internal consistencies (Cronbach's Alpha) in 3 domains ranged from 0.875 to 0.799 for the cognitive, from 0.795 to 0.629 for the affective, and from 0.801 to 0.811 for the sensory, as well as for the total score from 0.880 to 0.815. Adequate test-retest reliability by intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were shown in the cognitive 0.712 (95% CI 0.636 to 0.775), the affective 0.929 (95% CI 0.906 to 0.946), the sensory 0.753 (95% CI 0.685 to 0.808), and the total score 0.932 (95% CI 0.910 to 0.948). Adequate item-total correlations were shown for the cognitive from 0.848 to 0.825, the affective from 0.918 to 0.908, and the sensory from 0.943 to 0.855. LIMITATIONS: The original ROFPAQ with 39 items was developed from a podiatry department of the health care national service of the United Kingdom. CONCLUSIONS: The ROFPAQ-C can be used as a valid and reliable tool for chronic foot pain in the Chinese population.

Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Properties of Anthocyanin-Containing Complex from Sorbus aucuparia L. in Cytostatic Anemic Syndrome in Mice with Lewis Lung Carcinoma.

The results of studying the effect of the anthocyanin-containing complex from Sorbus aucuparia L. on the main indicators of erythropoiesis in the blood and bone marrow of mice with Lewis lung carcinoma against the background of doxorubicin administration were presented. It was shown that administration of the anthocyanin-containing complex from S. aucuparia L. to animals with the tumor prevented the development of anemic syndrome by promoting regeneration of the erythropoiesis after its depletion caused by single administration of a cytostatic agent.

High sorbic acid resistance of Penicillium roqueforti is mediated by the SORBUS gene cluster.

Penicillium roqueforti is a major food-spoilage fungus known for its high resistance to the food preservative sorbic acid. Here, we demonstrate that the minimum inhibitory concentration of undissociated sorbic acid (MICu) ranges between 4.2 and 21.2 mM when 34 P. roqueforti strains were grown on malt extract broth. A genome-wide association study revealed that the six most resistant strains contained the 180 kbp gene cluster SORBUS, which was absent in the other 28 strains. In addition, a SNP analysis revealed five genes outside the SORBUS cluster that may be linked to sorbic acid resistance. A partial SORBUS knock-out (>100 of 180 kbp) in a resistant strain reduced sorbic acid resistance to similar levels as observed in the sensitive strains. Whole genome transcriptome analysis revealed a small set of genes present in both resistant and sensitive P. roqueforti strains that were differentially expressed in the presence of the weak acid. These genes could explain why P. roqueforti is more resistant to sorbic acid when compared to other fungi, even in the absence of the SORBUS cluster. Together, the MICu of 21.2 mM makes P. roqueforti among the most sorbic acid-resistant fungi, if not the most resistant fungus, which is mediated by the SORBUS gene cluster.