Emergence of multiple fluconazole-resistant Candida parapsilosis sensu stricto clones with persistence and transmission in China.

OBJECTIVES: We explored the epidemiological and molecular characteristics of Candida parapsilosis sensu stricto isolates in China, and their mechanisms of azole resistance. METHODS: Azole susceptibilities of 2318 non-duplicate isolates were determined using CLSI broth microdilution. Isolates were genotyped by a microsatellite typing method. Molecular resistance mechanisms were also studied and functionally validated by CRISPR/Cas9-based genetic alterations. RESULTS: Fluconazole resistance occurred in 2.4% (n = 56) of isolates, and these isolates showed a higher frequency of distribution in ICU inpatients compared with susceptible isolates (48.2%, n = 27/56 versus 27.8%, 613/2208; P = 0.019). Microsatellite-genotyping analysis yielded 29 genotypes among 56 fluconazole-resistant isolates, of which 10 genotypes, including 37 isolates, belonged to clusters, persisting and transmitting in Chinese hospitals for 1-29 months. Clusters harbouring Erg11Y132F (5/10; 50%) were predominant in China. Among these, the second most dominant cluster MT07, including seven isolates, characteristically harbouring Erg11Y132F and Mrr1Q625K, lent its carriage to being one of the strongest associations with cross-resistance and high MICs of fluconazole (>256 mg/L) and voriconazole (2-8 mg/L), causing transmission across two hospitals. Among mutations tested, Mrr1Q625K led to the highest-level increase of fluconazole MIC (32-fold), while mutations located within or near the predicted transcription factor domain of Tac1 (D440Y, T492M and L518F) conferred cross-resistance to azoles. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first Chinese report of persistence and transmissions of multiple fluconazole-resistant C. parapsilosis sensu stricto clones harbouring Erg11Y132F, and the first demonstration of the mutations Erg11G307A, Mrr1Q625K, Tac1L263S, Tac1D440Y and Tac1T492M as conferring resistance to azoles.

Children with severe neurological symptoms associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection during Omicron pandemic in China.

BACKGROUND: To analyze the clinical characteristics and outcomes of children with severe neurological symptoms associated with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection during the Omicron pandemic in China. METHODS: This study used a questionnaire to obtain data from pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) centers in seven tertiary hospitals in Northeast China from December 1, 2022, to January 31, 2023. RESULTS: A total of 255 patients were confirmed to have SARS-CoV-2 infection, and 45 patients (17.65 %) were included in this study. Of these, seven (15.6%) patients died, and the median time from admission to death was 35 h (IQR, 14-120 h). Twenty (52.6%) survivors experienced neurological sequelae. Patients with platelet counts lower than 100 × 109/L had a higher incidence of complications such as multiple organ dysfunction, mechanical ventilation rate, and mortality. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) always reveals cerebral tissue edema, with some severe lesions forming a softening site. CONCLUSION: Children infected with SARS-CoV-2 often exhibit severe neurological symptoms, and in some cases, they may rapidly develop malignant cerebral edema or herniation, leading to a fatal outcome. An early decrease in platelet count may associated with an unfavorable prognosis. IMPACT: Since early December 2022, China has gradually adjusted its prevention and control policy of SARS-CoV-2; Omicron outbreaks have occurred in some areas for a relatively short period. Due to the differences in ethnicity, endemic strains and vaccination status, there was a little difference from what has been reported about children with SARS-CoV-2 infection with severe neurological symptoms in abroad. This is the first multicenter clinical study in children with nervous system involvement after acute SARS-CoV-2 infection in China, and helpful for pediatricians to have a more comprehensive understanding of the clinical symptoms and prognosis of such disease.

Innovative Purification Method of Ovatodiolide from Anisomeles indica to Induce Apoptosis in Human Gastric Cancer Cells.

Ovatodiolide (Ova), found in the plant Anisomeles indica (AI), has been reported to have an anti-proliferation effect in various cancer cells. However, little information is available regarding the anti-cancer effect of Ova in human gastric cancer cells. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effects and the mechanisms of action responsible for these effects on human AGS cell lines from a newly developed purification technique for Ova from AI extract. Extract obtained at the optimum condition of 95% ethanol extraction of AI was sequentially partitioned by using different polarity solvents. Enriched content of Ova (35.9% purity) from the n-hexane fraction was then applied to the purification by using centrifugal partition chromatography (CPC) in a two-phase solvent system consisting of n-hexane:ethyl acetate:methanol:water (1.0:1.0:1.0:1.0, v/v/v/v) to reach purity over >95.0%. In evaluation of the anti-proliferation effect on AGS cells, Ova induced cell apoptosis with IC50 values of 13.02 and 6.18 µM at 24 and 48 h, respectively, and arrested the cells at the G2/M phase. Quantification of Bax/Bcl2 mRNA expressions using qPCR showed a 2.5-fold increase in the Ova (5 µM)-treated cells at 48 h than in the control group. Specific protein expression data warrant further research to further confirm the proposed Ova-induced apoptotic pathway in AGS cells.

Interaction between two timing microRNAs controls trichome distribution in Arabidopsis.

The miR156-targeted squamosa promoter binding protein like (SPL) transcription factors function as an endogenous age cue in regulating plant phase transition and phase-dependent morphogenesis, but the control of SPL output remains poorly understood. In Arabidopsis thaliana the spatial pattern of trichome is a hallmark of phase transition and governed by SPLs. Here, by dissecting the regulatory network controlling trichome formation on stem, we show that the miR171-targeted lost meristems 1 (LOM1), LOM2 and LOM3, encoding GRAS family members previously known to maintain meristem cell polarity, are involved in regulating the SPL activity. Reduced LOM abundance by overexpression of miR171 led to decreased trichome density on stems and floral organs, and conversely, constitutive expression of the miR171-resistant LOM (rLOM) genes promoted trichome production, indicating that LOMs enhance trichome initiation at reproductive stage. Genetic analysis demonstrated LOMs shaping trichome distribution is dependent on SPLs, which positively regulate trichome repressor genes TRICHOMELESS 1 (TCL1) and TRIPTYCHON (TRY). Physical interaction between the N-terminus of LOMs and SPLs underpins the repression of SPL activity. Importantly, other growth and developmental events, such as flowering, are also modulated by LOM-SPL interaction, indicating a broad effect of the LOM-SPL interplay. Furthermore, we provide evidence that MIR171 gene expression is regulated by its targeted LOMs, forming a homeostatic feedback loop. Our data uncover an antagonistic interplay between the two timing miRNAs in controlling plant growth, phase transition and morphogenesis through direct interaction of their targets.

The Transition to First Marriage in China, 1966-2008: An Examination of Gender Differences in Education and Hukou Status.

Using retrospective life history data from the 2008 Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS), this study examines the entrance into first marriage in China, a country that has been experiencing profound socioeconomic changes for the past several decades. We examine educational differences across rural and urban regions and across gender as determinants of marriage. Results reveal that for rural women, increasing education (especially from the least educated to middle levels of education) decreases marriage chances. For urban women, increasing education does not affect their marriage chances, net of other factors. For the former, results are consistent with the broad East Asian cultural practice of women "marrying up." For the latter, we argue that modernizing forces (e.g., improvements in education) have reduced the incidence of this practice. We also find effects attributable to unique features of the Chinese institutional context, such as the rural/urban divide and effects of the household registration (Hukou) system.

[Present situation of processing of traditional Mongolian medicine and its normalized suggestion].

The processing technology of traditional Mongolian medicine materials is distinctive, and it is one of the main characteristics of Mongolian pharmacy. Most of Mongolian medicines were used in the raw, but a quarter of medicinal materials need to be produced. Since ancient times, the processing of Mongolian medicine have cooperated with the Mongolian medicine clinical, which plays an important role in improving curative effect of Mongolian medicine and ensuring the safety of the drug. At present, the Mongolian medicines are processed still according to the traditional methods of the ancient literature method which has a lot of problems such as lag in technology, method of diversification, ambiguous indicators and unclear mechanism. Standardization of Mongolian medicine processing was based on traditional Mongolian medicine basic theory, which both projecting the characteristic, inheriting the traditional colleagues and reference to modern medicine, pharmacology, toxicology and other disciplines of knowledge. In this article, the processing situation, existing problem and standardization research of Mongolian medicine were described that providing a reference for the modernization and standardization of Mongolian medicine.

[Progress on external treatment of orthopaedics and traumatology by Mongolian medicine].

Mongolian medicine external treatment, which called five kinds of treatment in ancient time, is a kind of external treatment including fire moxibustion, poultice, soaking and other therapies. The therapy was gradually developed and perfected in the course of Mongolian people's long-term struggle against diseases, which has characteristics of small trauma and suitable for long-term application. In this paper, the research progress of external treatment of orthopedic diseases in Mongolian medicine in recent years was summarized, and it was concluded that external treatment of orthopedic diseases in Mongolian medicine had distinct characteristics and accurate efficacy. However, there are still deficiencies in the standardization of clinical operation and the study of the mechanism of therapeutic action, which need further research and improvement.

[Exploration and consideration on establishing a core outcome set of Traditional Chinese Medicine clinical trials in distal radius fracture].

There are inconsistencies in treatment outcomes, measurement instruments, and criteria for assessing clinical effectiveness in studies related to distal radius fractures (DRF), resulting in potential biases and failing to provide high-quality clinical evidence. To address these challenges, international researchers have reached a consensus on developing the core outcome indicator set for distal radius fractures(COS-DRF). However, it's important to note that the existing COS-DRF framework could not reflect the unique characteristics of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) treatment. Currently, there are no established standards for treatment outcomes and measurement instruments specific to TCM clinical research, nor has a COS-DRF been established for TCM clinical studies in China. In light of these gaps, our research team aims to construct a core set of treatment outcomes for TCM clinical research on distal radius fractures. This involves compiling a comprehensive list of treatment outcomes and measurement instruments, initially derived from a thorough literature review and expert consensus, which will then undergo further refinement and updates based on real-world clinical experiences, incorporating feedback from 2 to 3 rounds of expert consensus or Delphi questionnaire surveys. Our goal is to establish a COS-DRF or CMS-DRF that aligns with the principles and practices of TCM, and provide high-quality evidence for clinical practice.

Protective Effect of Hawthorn Fruit Extract against High Fructose-Induced Oxidative Stress and Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Pancreatic ß-Cells.

Hyperglycemia has deleterious effects on pancreatic ß-cells, causing dysfunction and insulin resistance that lead to diabetes mellitus (DM). The possible causes of injury can be caused by glucose- or fructose-induced oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Hawthorn (Crataegus pinnatifida) fruit has been widely used as a hypolipidemic agent in traditional herbal medicine. The study aimed to investigate whether high fructose-induced pancreatic ß-cell dysfunction could be reversed through amelioration of ER stress by the treatment of polyphenol-enriched extract (PEHE) from hawthorn fruit. The extract was partitioned using ethyl acetate as a solvent from crude water extract (WE) of hawthorn fruits, followed by column fractionation. The results showed that the contents of total polyphenols, flavonoids and triterpenoids in PEHE could be enhanced by 2.2-, 7.7- and 1.1-fold, respectively, in comparison to the original obtained WE from hawthorn fruit. In ER stress studies, a sharp increase in the inhibitory activity on the gene expression levels of GRP79, ATF6, IRE1α and CHOP involved in ER stress was evident when dosages of PEHE at 50-100 µg/mL were used against high-fructose (150 mM)-treated cells. HPLC-MS/MS analysis showed that polyphenols and flavonoids collectively accounted for 87.03% of the total content of PEHE.

Polymorphisms of the bovine luteinizing hormone/choriogonadotropin receptor (LHCGR) gene and its association with superovulation traits.

The major limitation to the development of embryo transfer technique in cattle is the highly variable between individuals in ovulatory response to FSH-induced superovulation. The objective of this study was to identify a predictor to forecast superovulation response on the basis of associations between superovulation performance and gene polymorphism, variation in the bovine luteinizing hormone/choriogonadotropin receptor (LHCGR) gene was investigated using PCR-single-strand conformational (PCR-SSCP) and DNA sequencing. Four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of G51656T, A51703G, A51726G and G51737A were identified at the intron 9 of the LHCGR gene in 171 Chinese Holstein cows treated for superovulation, and evaluated its associations with superovulatory response. Association analysis showed that these four SNPs had significant effects on the total number of ova (TNO) (P < 0.05). Moreover, the A51703G and A51726G polymorphisms significantly associated with the number of transferable embryos (NTE) (P < 0.05). In addition, significant additive effect on TNO was detected in polymorphisms of G51656T (P < 0.05) and A51703G (P < 0.01), and the A51703G polymorphism also had significant additive effects on NTE (P < 0.01). These results indicate that LHCGR gene is a potential marker for superovulation response and can be used to predict the most appropriate dose of FSH for superovulation in Chinese Holstein cows.

Scarless wound healing: Current insights from the perspectives of TGF-ß, KGF-1, and KGF-2.

The process of wound healing involves a complex and vast interplay of growth factors and cytokines that coordinate the recruitment and interaction of various cell types. A series of events involving inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling eventually leads to the restoration of the damaged tissue. Abrogation in the regulation of these events has been shown to result in excessive scarring or non-healing wounds. While the process of wound healing is not fully elucidated, it has been documented that the early events of wound healing play a key role in the outcome of the wound. Furthermore, high levels of inflammation have been shown to lead to scarring. The regulation of these events may result in scarless wound healing, especially in adults. The inhibition of transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) and the administration of keratinocyte growth factors (KGF), KGF-1 and KGF-2, has in recent years yielded positive results in the acceleration of wound closure and reduced scarring. Here, we encapsulate recent knowledge on the roles of TGF-ß, KGF1, and KGF2 in wound healing and scar formation and highlight the areas that need further investigation. We also discuss potential future directions for the use of growth factors in wound management.

Min-entropy estimation for semiconductor superlattice true random number generators.

Semiconductor superlattice true random number generator (SSL-TRNG) has an outstanding practical property on high-throughput and high-security cryptographic applications. Security in random number generators is closely related to the min-entropy of the raw output because feeding cryptographic applications with insufficient entropy leads to poor security and vulnerability to malicious attacks. However, no research has focused on the min-entropy estimation based on the stochastic model for SSL-TRNG, which is a highly recommended method for evaluating the security of a specific TRNG structure. A min-entropy estimation method is proposed in this paper for the SSL-TRNG by extending the Markov stochastic model derived from the memory effects. By calculating the boundary of the transition matrix, the min-entropy result is the average value of each sample (1 bit) is 0.2487. Moreover, the experimental results show that the estimator is accurate enough to adjust compression rate dynamically in post-processing to reach the required security level, estimating entropy on the fly rather than off-line.

Gastroprotective Effect of Anisomeles indica on Aspirin-Induced Gastric Ulcer in Mice.

Gastric ulcers are commonly seen in the upper gastrointestinal tract and may be related to the Helicobacter pylori infection and the use of aspirin, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Typically, proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) are used to treat gastric ulcers; however, adverse effects have emerged following long-term treatment. Natural medicines are used as alternative therapeutic agents in the treatment of gastric ulcers, with few side effects. Despite various reports on the anti-H. pylori and anti-gastric cancer activities of Anisomeles indica, its gastroprotective effect on ulcers remains undetermined. This study investigated the protective effect of A. indica on aspirin-induced gastric ulcers in murine models. Our results show that three fractions of ethanol-extracted A. indica inhibited aspirin-induced gastric injury. Among these, A. indica Fraction 1 was observed to enrich ovatodiolide, which effectively diminished gastric acidity and alleviated aspirin-induced inflammation in the stomach. Our results provide evidence that A. indica could be developed as an effective therapeutic agent for gastroprotective purposes.

Virulence, Antibiotic Resistance, and Phylogenetic Relationships of Aeromonas spp. Carried by Migratory Birds in China.

This study aimed to evaluate antimicrobial resistance, virulence, and the genetic diversity of Aeromonas isolated from migratory birds from Guangxi Province, Guangdong Province, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Jiangxi Province, and Inner Mongolia in China. A total of 810 samples were collected, including fresh feces, cloacal swabs, and throat swabs. The collected samples were processed and subjected to bacteriological examination. The resistance to 21 antibiotics was evaluated. A phylogenetic tree was constructed using concatenated gltA-groL-gyrB-metG-PPSA-recA sequences. Eight putative virulence factors were identified by PCR and sequencing, and a biofilm formation assay was performed using a modified microtiter plate method. In total, 176 Aeromonas isolates were isolated including A. sobria, A. hydrophila, A. veronii, and A. caviae. All isolates showed variable resistance against all 16 tested antibiotic discs, and only one antibiotic had no reference standard. Six kinds of virulence gene markers were discovered, and the detection rates were 46.0% (hlyA), 76.1% (aerA), 52.3% (alt), 4.5% (ast), 54.0% (fla), and 64.2% (lip). These strains were able to form biofilms with distinct magnitudes; 102 were weakly adherent, 14 were moderately adherent, 60 were non-adherent, and none were strongly adherent. Our results suggest that migratory birds carry highly virulent and multidrug-resistant Aeromonas and spread them around the world through migration, which is a potential threat to public health.

Study of the Anti-Proliferative Activity of 5-Substituted 4,7-Dimethoxy-1,3-Benzodioxole Derivatives of SY-1 from Antrodia camphorata on Human COLO 205 Colon Cancer Cells.

A set of 10 4,7-dimethoxy-1,3-benzodioxole derivatives based on a lead compound previously discovered by our group, SY-1, which was isolated from Antrodia camphorata, were evaluated for their in vitro inhibitory activity on human colorectal carcinoma cells (COLO 205). Structure-activity relationship studies of the 10 compounds indicated the importance of the chain length of the alkyl group at the 5-position, and the 2-propenyl substituent named "apiole" exhibited the most potent inhibitory activity. In the present study, we demonstrate that the SY-1 analogue "apiole" decreased the proliferation of COLO 205 cells, but not that of normal human colonic epithelial cells (FHC). The G0/G1 cell cycle arrest induced by apiole (75-225 µM) was associated with significantly increased levels of p53, p21 and p27 and decreased levels of cyclin D1. Concerning COLO 205 cell apoptosis, apiole (>150 µM) treatment significantly increased the levels of cleaved caspases 3, 8, 9 and bax/bcl-2 ratio and induced ladder formation in DNA fragmentation assay and sub-G1 peak in flow cytometry analysis. These findings suggest that apiole can suppress COLO 205 cell growth; however, the detailed mechanisms of these processes require further investigation.

Comparison of oestrous intensity between natural oestrus and oestrus induced with ovsynch based treatments in Japanese black cows.

The aim of this study was to examine the possible differences of oestrous intensity between natural oestrus and induced oestrus using the walking activity measuring device. Walking activity was used as an evaluation index of oestrous intensity. A total of 27 Japanese Black cows, more than 40 days after calving and clinically normal, were randomly assigned to three groups. Walking activity was recorded using a commercially available computerized pedometer system. The treatment groups consisted of an Ovsynch (n = 8) and a controlled internal drugs releasing device (CIDR) + Ovsynch (n = 9) group. The control group (n = 10) received no treatment. Walking activity was examined in all groups. Timed artificial insemination (timed AI) was performed at 16 hours after the onset of oestrus in the control group and at 24 h after second administration of GnRH in the treatment groups. Duration of oestrus had a tendency to be shorter in both the Ovsynch and the CIDR + Ovsynch groups when compared with the control group. The time required from the onset of oestrus to the time showing the highest number of steps of walking (the time to peak) showed a tendency to be shorter in CIDR + Ovsynch group. The number of steps of walking at peak and overall walking activities were significantly lower in both treatment groups than in the control group. Both activity and super-activity periods of time in the treatment groups were shorter than the control group. No difference was observed in the conception rate between the control (50.0%; 10/20), Ovsynch (50.0%; 4/8) and CIDR + Ovsynch groups (66.7%; 6/9). This study demonstrates that the oestrous intensity of cows in oestrus was different between natural oestrus and induced oestrus and also between the methods of the synchronization, but no difference was observed in the conception rate among the three groups.

Prognostic nomogram for the combination therapy of percutaneous catheter drainage and antibiotics in pyogenic liver abscess patients.

PURPOSE: To identify the predictors for recovery of pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) patients treated with percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD) and antibiotics, and then develop an effective nomogram to predict the recovery time. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The retrospective study included consecutive PLA patients treated with PCD and antibiotics. We defined the overall recovery time (ORT) as the time from the PCD procedure to the time of clinical success or failure. Based on the ORT, its predictors were identified with univariate and multivariate analyses. Then, a nomogram was developed to predict the ORT, and was internally validated by using Harrell's c statistic. RESULTS: A total of 116 patients and 142 PCD procedures with a median ORT of 15.0±10.6 days were included. Gas-formation (GF; HR: 0.486 [95% CI 0.312-0.757]; P = 0.001), diabetes mellitus (DM; HR: 0.455 [95% CI 0.303-0.682]; P<0.001), and preinterventional septic shock (PSS; HR: 0.276 [95% CI 0.158-0.483]; P < 0.001) were identified as predictors for the ORT of combination therapy after univariate and multivariate analyses, which indicated a significantly longer ORT than those patients without. The prognostic analyses demonstrated that the more predictors (GF, DM, and PSS) a patient exhibited, the longer ORT for the combination therapy. A nomogram was developed to predict the ORT and revealed high accuracy, with Harrell's c statistic of 0.73. CONCLUSION: GF, DM, and PSS were predictors for the recovery of PLA patients treated with PCD and antibiotics. The nomogram was effective in predicting the ORT of combination therapy.

Resting-state brain network topological properties and the correlation with neuropsychological assessment in adolescent narcolepsy.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To evaluate functional connectivity and topological properties of brain networks, and to investigate the association between brain topological properties and neuropsychiatric behaviors in adolescent narcolepsy. METHODS: Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and neuropsychological assessment were applied in 26 adolescent narcolepsy patients and 30 healthy controls. fMRI data were analyzed in three ways: group independent component analysis and a graph theoretical method were applied to evaluate topological properties within the whole brain. Lastly, network-based statistics was utilized for group comparisons in region-to-region connectivity. The relationship between topological properties and neuropsychiatric behaviors was analyzed with correlation analyses. RESULTS: In addition to sleepiness, depressive symptoms and impulsivity were detected in adolescent narcolepsy. In adolescent narcolepsy, functional connectivity was decreased between regions of the limbic system and the default mode network (DMN), and increased in the visual network. Adolescent narcolepsy patients exhibited disrupted small-world network properties. Regional alterations in the caudate nucleus (CAU) and posterior cingulate gyrus were associated with subjective sleepiness and regional alterations in the CAU and inferior occipital gyrus were associated with impulsiveness. Remodeling within the salience network and the DMN was associated with sleepiness, depressive feelings, and impulsive behaviors in narcolepsy. CONCLUSIONS: Alterations in brain connectivity and regional topological properties in narcoleptic adolescents were associated with their sleepiness, depressive feelings, and impulsive behaviors.

[Monitoring and driving force analysis of net primary productivity in native grassland: A case study in Xilingol steppe, China]. / 天然草原净初级生产力变化监测与驱动力分析­­ä»¥é”¡æž—郭勒草原为例.

Grassland is an important type of terrestrial ecosystem. Using remote sensing technology to study the change and driving force of native grassland productivity at large scale is an important way to understand the ecological status of grassland. In this study, potential and actual net primary productivity (NPP) of Xilingol steppe from 2000 to 2018 were examined based on climatic model and light-use efficiency model, respectively. NPP damage value driven by human activities was calculated from the difference between potential and actual NPP. The least square method was used to analyze the temporal and spatial variation of NPP in Xilingol and the driving role of climate and human activities on NPP. The results showed that NPP in Xilingol increased from west to east, with mean annual NPP being 271.54 g C·m-2·a-1, the area with increased NPP (grassland restoration) being 36500 km2, and the area with decreased NPP (grassland degradation) being 59900 km2. The potential NPP tended to rise under the driving force of temperature and precipitation, with an average annual increase of 6.5 g C·m-2·a-1, which indicated that regional climate played a positive role in the improvement of NPP in Xilingol steppe, and that human activities were the main driving force for grassland degradation. The value of NPP damage driven by human activities decreased from east to west and from south to north, with the highest value in Wuzhumuqin meadow and southern steppe. Human activities, such as mining and reclamation, had the most obvious negative impact on grassland NPP.

Differential responses in gills of euryhaline tilapia, Oreochromis mossambicus, to various hyperosmotic shocks.

Euryhaline tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) survived in brackish water (BW; 20 per thousand) but died in seawater (SW; 35 per thousand) within 6 h when transferred directly from fresh water (FW). The purpose of this study was to clarify responses in gills of FW tilapia to various hyperosmotic shocks induced by BW or SW. In FW-acclimated tilapia, scanning electron micrographs of gills revealed three subtypes of MR cell apical surfaces: wavy-convex (subtype I), shallow-basin (subtype II), and deep-hole (subtype III). Density of apical surfaces of mitochondrion-rich (MR) cell in gills of the BW-transfer tilapia decreased significantly within 3 h post-transfer due to disappearance of subtype I cells, but increased from 48 h post-transfer because of increasing density of subtype III cells. SW-transfer individuals, however, showed decreased density of MR cell openings after 1 h post-transfer because subtype I MR cell disappeared. On the other hand, relative branchial Na+/K+-ATPase (NKA) alpha1-subunit mRNA levels, protein abundance, and NKA activity of the BW-transfer group increased significantly at 6, 12, and 12 h post-transfer, respectively. In the SW-transfer group, relative mRNA and protein abundance of gill NKA alpha1-subunit did not change while NKA activity declined before dying in 5 h. Upon SW transfer, dramatic increases (nearly 2-fold) of plasma osmolality, [Na+], and [Cl(-)] were found prior to death. For the BW-transfer group, plasma osmolality was eventually controlled by 96 h post-transfer by enhancement of NKA expression and subtype III MR cell. The success or failure of NKA activation from gene to functional protein as well as the development of specific SW subtype in gills were crucial for the survival of euryhaline tilapia to various hyperosmotic shocks.