Characteristics and scoring method of computed tomography in open-globe injuries.

BACKGROUND: Open-globe injuries (OGIs) remain the important cause of visual impairment and loss in all ages. Computed Tomography (CT) is a useful and common tool in the evaluation of the injuries of the eyeball. Prognostic value of CT scan in OGIs has been evaluated in many studies. However, there is no published consistent systematic scoring method for CT scan in OGIs. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the CT characteristics of OGIs and build a scoring method according to the CT scans which may aid the clinicians in management of OGIs. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of inpatients with clinical diagnosis of OGIs between 2017 and 2021 at Department of Ophthalmology, Henan Eye Institute, Henan Eye Hospital, Henan provincial People's Hospital (Zhengzhou, China). RESULTS: There were 1120 eyes from 1117 patients included in our study. The mean age was 35.7 ± 21.9 years with the range from 1 to 91 years. Significant male predominance was noted (889, 79.6%). CT scans of the OGIs were evaluated. Abnormality of anterior segment, posterior segment, and globe contour and volume were graded respectively. The most serious abnormality of anterior segment, posterior segment, and globe contour and volume were grade 3, 4 and 3 respectively and score 3, 4 and 3 respectively. Score of the CT scans of an open-injured globe ranged from 0 to 10. The correlation coefficient between the score and wound length was 0.798. The correlation coefficient between the score and final visual acuity was 0.799. In 78 eyes with 0 score, 70 eyes (89.7%) gained final visual acuity of 0.3 or better. In 31 eyes with 10 score, 20 eyes (64.5%) underwent evisceration of the eye globe and 10 eyes got visual acuity of no light perception and 1 eye lost to follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: CT scans is a useful tool in evaluating the severity of an open-injured globe. Scoring of the CT scans of an open-injured globe is a meaningful attempt and it may provide useful prognostic information regarding the outcome of an open-injured globe.

Associations between accelerometer-measured physical activity and sedentary behaviour with physical function among older women: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the relationships between accelerometer-measured physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour (SB) with physical function (PF) among older Chinese women in the community. METHODS: The present study comprised 1,113 community-dwelling older females, with an average age of 65 ± 2 years. We employed a linear regression analysis to investigate the relationship between patterns of PA and SB with PF. PA variables consisted of total PA time, bouted PA time (a continuous PA that lasts equal to or more than 10 min), and sporadic PA time (a continuous PA that lasts less than 10 min). SB variables included total SB time, 30-min bout of SB (a continuous SB that lasts equal to or more than 30 min), and 60-min bout of SB (a continuous SB that lasts equal to or more than 60 min). PF variables comprised handgrip strength (HGS), one-legged stance test with eyes closed (OLSTEC), usual walking speed (UWS), maximum walking speed (MWS) and chair-stand time (CT). To explore the joint effects of moderate-to-vigorous-intensity PA (MVPA) and SB on PF, we divided the duration of SB and MVPA participation in older women into different combinations: low MVPA & high SB, low MVPA & low SB, high MVPA & high SB, high MVPA & low SB. RESULTS: The study revealed a significant association between 30-min bout of SB and CT, which remained after adjusting for total MVPA time (P = 0.021). Both total MVPA and bouted MVPA were found to be positively associated with better UWS, MWS, CT, and PF Z-score. When the combination of low MVPA & high SB was used as a reference, the regression coefficients for PF ascended by 1.32 (P < 0.001) in the high MVPA & high SB group and by 1.13 (P < 0.001) in the high MVPA & low SB group. CONCLUSIONS: A significant association was observed between poorer lower limb function and prolonged, uninterrupted SB in older women, rather than with the total SB time. Concurrently, the insufficient engagement in MVPA may also be a crucial factor contributing to poorer PF in older women. Engaging in longer durations and higher intensity of PA, such as bouts of MVPA lasting a minimum of 10 min or longer, may contribute to better PF.

Assessing the Effectiveness of eHealth Interventions to Manage Multiple Lifestyle Risk Behaviors Among Older Adults: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Developing adverse lifestyle behaviors increases the risk of a variety of chronic age-related diseases, including cardiovascular disease, obesity, and Alzheimer disease. There is limited evidence regarding the effectiveness of eHealth-based multiple health behavior change (MHBC) interventions to manage lifestyle risk behaviors. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this systematic evaluation was to assess the effectiveness of eHealth MHBC interventions in changing ≥2 major lifestyle risk behaviors in people aged ≥50 years. METHODS: The literature search was conducted in 6 electronic databases-PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and SPORTDiscus-from inception to May 1, 2024. Eligible studies were randomized controlled trials of eHealth interventions targeting ≥2 of 6 behaviors of interest: alcohol use, smoking, diet, physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior, and sleep. RESULTS: A total of 34 articles with 35 studies were included. eHealth-based MHBC interventions significantly increased smoking cessation rates (odds ratio 2.09, 95% CI 1.62-2.70; P<.001), fruit intake (standardized mean difference [SMD] 0.18, 95% CI 0.04-0.32; P=.01), vegetable intake (SMD 0.17, 95% CI 0.05-0.28; P=.003), self-reported total PA (SMD 0.22, 95% CI 0.02-0.43; P=.03), and objectively measured moderate to vigorous PA (SMD 0.25, 95% CI 0.09-0.41; P=.002); in addition, the interventions decreased fat intake (SMD -0.23, 95% CI -0.33 to -0.13; P<.001). No effects were observed for alcohol use, sedentary behavior, or sleep. A sensitivity analysis was conducted to test the robustness of the pooled results. Moreover, the certainty of evidence was evaluated using the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) framework. CONCLUSIONS: eHealth-based MHBC interventions may be a promising strategy to increase PA, improve diet, and reduce smoking among older adults. However, the effect sizes were small. Further high-quality, older adult-oriented research is needed to develop eHealth interventions that can change multiple behaviors. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews CRD42023444418; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42023444418.

The Silencing of GhPIP5K2 and GhPIP5K22 Weakens Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Upland Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum).

Phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate 5-kinases (PIP5Ks), essential enzymes in the phosphatidylinositol signaling pathway, are crucial for the abiotic stress responses and the overall growth and development of plants. However, the GhPIP5Ks had not been systematically studied, and their function in upland cotton was unknown. This study identified a total of 28 GhPIP5Ks, and determined their chromosomal locations, gene structures, protein motifs and cis-acting elements via bioinformatics analysis. A quantitative real-time PCR (qRT‒PCR) analysis showed that most GhPIP5Ks were upregulated under different stresses. A virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) assay indicated that the superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) activities were significantly decreased, while malondialdehyde (MDA) content were significantly increased in GhPIP5K2- and GhPIP5K22-silenced upland cotton plants under abiotic stress. Furthermore, the expression of the stress marker genes GhHSFB2A, GhHSFB2B, GhDREB2A, GhDREB2C, GhRD20-1, GhRD29A, GhBIN2, GhCBL3, GhNHX1, GhPP2C, GhCBF1, GhSnRK2.6 and GhCIPK6 was significantly decreased in the silenced plants after exposure to stress. These results revealed that the silencing of GhPIP5K2 and GhPIP5K22 weakened the tolerance to abiotic stresses. These discoveries provide a foundation for further inquiry into the actions of the GhPIP5K gene family in regulating the response and resistance mechanisms of cotton to abiotic stresses.

Genome-Wide Identification of the GhANN Gene Family and Functional Validation of GhANN11 and GhANN4 under Abiotic Stress.

Annexins (ANNs) are a structurally conserved protein family present in almost all plants. In the present study, 27 GhANNs were identified in cotton and were unevenly distributed across 14 chromosomes. Transcriptome data and RT-qPCR results revealed that multiple GhANNs respond to at least two abiotic stresses. Similarly, the expression levels of GhANN4 and GhANN11 were significantly upregulated under heat, cold, and drought stress. Using virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS), functional characterization of GhANN4 and GhANN11 revealed that, compared with those of the controls, the leaf wilting of GhANN4-silenced plants was more obvious, and the activities of catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were lower under NaCl and PEG stress. Moreover, the expression of stress marker genes (GhCBL3, GhDREB2A, GhDREB2C, GhPP2C, GhRD20-2, GhCIPK6, GhNHX1, GhRD20-1, GhSOS1, GhSOS2 and GhSnRK2.6) was significantly downregulated in GhANN4-silenced plants after stress. Under cold stress, the growth of the GHANN11-silenced plants was significantly weaker than that of the control plants, and the activities of POD, SOD, and CAT were also lower. However, compared with those of the control, the elasticity and orthostatic activity of the GhANN11-silenced plants were greater; the POD, SOD, and CAT activities were higher; and the GhDREB2C, GhHSP, and GhSOS2 expression levels were greater under heat stress. These results suggest that different GhANN family members respond differently to different types of abiotic stress.

Integrated miRNA and mRNA Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Regulatory Mechanisms in the Response of Winter Brassica rapa to Drought Stress.

Drought is a major abiotic stress factor that reduces agricultural productivity. Understanding the molecular regulatory network of drought response in winter rape is of great significance for molecular Brassica rapa. In order to comprehensively analyze the network expression of DEGs and DEMIs in winter rape under drought stress, in this study we used Longyou 7 as the experimental material to identify DEGs and DEMIs related to drought stress by transcriptome and miRNA sequencing. A total of 14-15 key differential mRNA genes related to drought stress and biological stress were screened out under different treatments in the three groups. and 32 differential miRNAs were identified through targeted regulatory relationships, and the mRNA expression of 20 target genes was negatively regulated by the targeting regulatory relationship. It is mainly enriched in starch and sucrose metabolism, carbon metabolism and other pathways. Among them, gra-MIR8731-p3_2ss13GA18GA regulated the expression of multiple mRNAs in the three treatments. miRNA is mainly involved in the drought resistance of Chinese cabbage winter rape by regulating the expression of target genes, such as starch and sucrose metabolism, amino acid biosynthesis, and carbon metabolism. These miRNAs and their target genes play an indispensable role in winter rapeseed drought stress tolerance regulation.

Walking more, not faster, is associated with bone health in China of community-dwelling older women:A cross-sectional study.

AIMS: To examine the association between daily steps and step intensity with bone health in Chinese community-dwelling older women. METHODS: Data from 1116 women in the Physical Activity and Health in Older Women Study in China, 2021. Three bone parameters: bone quality index (BQI), speed of sound (SOS), and broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) were measured in the left heel using an ultrasound bone densitometer and transformed into dichotomous variables from medians. Daily steps and step intensity (slow step time, brisk step time, peak 1-min cadence, peak 30-min cadence, and peak 60-min cadence) were measured using a triaxial accelerometer. Participants with high BQI, SOS, and BUA levels were used as references for logistic regression models to explore the association of daily steps and step intensity with bone health. RESULTS: Daily steps were positively associated with the BQI (odds ratio [OR] = 0.94, confidence interval [CI] = 0.89,1.00), SOS (OR = 0.93, CI = 0.88,0.99), and BUA (OR = 0.93, CI = 0.88,0.99) among older women. There was no significant association between peak cadence and bone health. Slow step time was positively associated with the BQI (OR = 0.94, CI = 0.90,0.99) and SOS (OR = 0.93, CI = 0.88,0.97), while brisk step time was positively associated with the BQI (OR = 0.89, CI = 0.82,0.97), SOS (OR = 0.87, CI = 0.80,0.94), and BUA (OR = 0.89, CI = 0.82,0.97). Moreover, 10,000 steps/day or more was significantly associated with the BQI (OR = 0.52, CI = 0.33,0.81), SOS (OR = 0.55, CI = 0.35,0.86), and BUA (OR = 0.45, CI = 0.28, 0.70) compared to <6000 steps/day. CONCLUSION: Increasing the number of daily steps or the duration of walking, whether fast or slow, may benefit the bone health of older women.

Associations between sedentary behaviour, physical activity and frailty in older Chinese women: A cross-sectional study.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association between sedentary behaviour (SB), physical activity (PA), and frailty and frailty subdomains in community-dwelling older women. BACKGROUND: Frailty is associated with numerous adverse health outcomes in older people, and women had a higher prevalence than men. However, older adults may face different health risks due to different combinations of frailty subdomains; therefore, specific studies on frailty subdomains are needed. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study guided by the STROBE. METHODS: In total, 1099 community-dwelling older Chinese women (60-70 years) were included. SB and PA were objectively obtained using a validated triaxial accelerometer. Frailty was defined using the Fried Phenotype (FP) Model. RESULTS: After adjusting for confounders, a significant association was found between SB, PA and the prevalence of frailty. The optimal cut-off values of total SB time, light PA (LPA) time, and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) time to discriminate between frailty and non-frailty were 625.4 min/day, 379.3 min/day and 20.1 min/day, respectively. For frailty subdomains, total SB time was positively associated with low PA. When it comes to total LPA time, the association with low PA was negative. Total MVPA time was significantly and negatively associated with exhaustion, weakness, slowness and low PA, and the optimal cutoff value was 24.4 min/day, 26 min/day, 29.5 min/day and 20.8 min/day, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Effective management of frailty requires consideration of different combinations of frailty subdomains. Increasing MVPA and limiting SB may help deal with frailty for community-dwelling older Chinese women. Additional research is needed to determine whether PA are useful for prevention of frailty. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The results of this study could help caregivers provide professional and specific physical activity guidance for order women, who are on a risk of or already suffered frailty.

Roles of S-Adenosylmethionine and Its Derivatives in Salt Tolerance of Cotton.

Salinity is a major abiotic stress that restricts cotton growth and affects fiber yield and quality. Although studies on salt tolerance have achieved great progress in cotton since the completion of cotton genome sequencing, knowledge about how cotton copes with salt stress is still scant. S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) plays important roles in many organelles with the help of the SAM transporter, and it is also a synthetic precursor for substances such as ethylene (ET), polyamines (PAs), betaine, and lignin, which often accumulate in plants in response to stresses. This review focused on the biosynthesis and signal transduction pathways of ET and PAs. The current progress of ET and PAs in regulating plant growth and development under salt stress has been summarized. Moreover, we verified the function of a cotton SAM transporter and suggested that it can regulate salt stress response in cotton. At last, an improved regulatory pathway of ET and PAs under salt stress in cotton is proposed for the breeding of salt-tolerant varieties.

Association of daily step counts and step intensity with fear of falling in Chinese community-dwelling older women.

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between objectively measured step counts, step intensity and FOF in community-dwelling older Chinese women. Cross-sectional analyses were conducted on pooled data (n = 1101) from the baseline survey of the Physical Activity and Health Study (PAHIOWS). Step counts and step intensity were measured using wGT3X-BT accelerometers, and FOF was categorized into two levels (low and high) for logistic regression analysis. Higher step counts were significantly and negatively associated with FOF; however, after adjusting for step intensity, the association was no longer statistically significant. On the contrary, higher step intensity was negatively associated with FOF independent of step counts. This finding may provide new insights into the physical activity management of FOF in older women.

Association of daily step patterns with frailty in community older Chinese women.

To investigate the association between the number of days an individual takes 8,000 steps or more and frailty among older chinese women. The number of days per week taking 8,000 steps or more were measured with triaxial accelerometers. The Fried Phenotype model was used to assess frailty status. Compared to participants who walked 8,000 steps or more 0 days per week, the odds ratio of frailty was lower among those who took 8,000 steps or more 1-2 days and 3-7 days per week. Additionally, taking 3,800 steps or more in bouts of ≥10 min or taking 1,500 steps or more in ≥100 steps/min was significantly and negatively associated with frailty. These foundings indicate that, in addition to participants taking 8,000 steps or more at least one day per week, step duration and intensity may also be important factors for preventing and improving frailty in older women.

Satellite-derived bathymetry based on machine learning models and an updated quasi-analytical algorithm approach.

Retrieving the water depth by satellite is a rapid and effective method for obtaining underwater terrain. In the optical shallow waters, the bottom signal has a great impact on the radiation from the water which related to water depth. In the optical shallow waters, the spatial distribution characteristic of water quality parameters derived by the updated quasi analysis algorithm (UQAA) is highly correlated with the bottom brightness. Because the bottom reflection signal is strongly correlated with the spatial distribution of water depth, the derived water quality parameters may helpful and applicable for optical remote sensing based satellite derived bathymetry. Therefore, the influence on bathymetry retrieval of the UQAA IOPs is worth discussing. In this article, different machine learning algorithms using a UQAA were tested and remote sensing reflectance at water depth in situ points and their detection accuracy were evaluated by using Worldwiew-2 multispectral remote sensing images and laser measurement data. A backpropagation (BP) neural network, extreme value learning machine (ELM), random forest (RF), Adaboost, and support vector regression (SVR) machine models were utilized to compute the water depth retrieval of Ganquan Island in the South China Sea. According to the obtained results, bathymetry using the UQAA and remote sensing reflectance is better than that computed using only remote sensing reflectance, in which the overall improvements in the root mean square error (RMSE) were 1 cm to 5 cm and the overall improvement in the mean relative error (MRE) was 1% to 5%. The results showed that the results of the UQAA could be used as a main water depth estimation eigenvalue to increase water depth estimation accuracy.

Prevalence of sarcopenia in Chinese community-dwelling elderly: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Sarcopenia is associated with age-related loss of muscle mass and function and is becoming prevalent in the older Chinese population. This systematic review aims to obtain a reliable estimation of the prevalence of sarcopenia among community-dwelling Chinese populations aged 65 years and older and to characterize its epidemiology. METHODS: A literature search was performed in the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data, and CQVIP databases up to September 31, 2021. All studies that reported the prevalence of sarcopenia in Chinese community-dwelling older adults were included, and Hoy et al.'s tool was used to assess the risk of bias. The overall prevalence of sarcopenia will be calculated as the primary outcome, and subgroup analyses will be performed by study year, age, sex, muscle mass assessment method, diagnostic criteria and area. RESULTS: A total of 26 studies were included in this study, which involved 25,921 subjects, and 3597 had sarcopenia. Although significant heterogeneity between studies was reported, no statistically significant publication bias was detected. The overall prevalence of sarcopenia in community-dwelling older adults aged over 65 years in the Chinese population was 17.4% (95% CI: 14.6%-20.2%). Subgroup analysis based on study year, age and sex, muscle mass assessment method, diagnostic criteria, region and area showed that the prevalence of sarcopenia was different in each subgroup. IMPLICATIONS: The prevalence of sarcopenia in Chinese community-dwelling older adults was higher than that in previous studies. As a multidimensional survey of the prevalence of sarcopenia in older adults, this meta-analysis provides data support for the targeted management of sarcopenia among Chinese older adults.

Associations between objectively measured pattern of physical activity, sedentary behavior and fear of falling in Chinese community-dwelling older women.

This cross-sectional study aimed to examine the associations of objectively-measured physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) patterns with fear of falling (FOF) in Chinese community-dwelling older women. Data from Physical Activity and Health in Older Women Study were analyzed for 1101 older women aged 60 to 70. Variables were demographics, objectively-measured PA, SB and FOF. Logistic regressions were conducted. All SB variables, light-intensity PA variable and bouted moderate-to-vigorous intensity PA (MVPA) were not associated with FOF. Total MVPA, sporadic MVPA and steps were independently associated with FOF. Multivariable-adjusted ORs in fully-adjusted models were 0.61, 0.59; 0.73, 0.62; 0.72, 0.59 for increasing tertiles of total MVPA time, sporadic MVPA time, and steps per day, respectively. The current finding which enables encourages PA in older women group could be complemented to maximize the overall level of potential public healthcare gains especially in community dwelling older population.

Centriole translocation and degeneration during ciliogenesis in Caenorhabditis elegans neurons.

Neuronal cilia that are formed at the dendritic endings of sensory neurons are essential for sensory perception. However, it remains unclear how the centriole-derived basal body is positioned to form a template for cilium formation. Using fluorescence time-lapse microscopy, we show that the centriole translocates from the cell body to the dendrite tip in the Caenorhabditis elegans sensory neurons. The centriolar protein SAS-5 interacts with the dynein light-chain LC8 and conditional mutations of cytoplasmic dynein-1 block centriole translocation and ciliogenesis. The components of the central tube are essential for the biogenesis of centrioles, which later drive ciliogenesis in the dendrite; however, the centriole loses these components at the late stage of centriole translocation and subsequently recruits transition zone and intraflagellar transport proteins. Together, our results provide a comprehensive model of ciliogenesis in sensory neurons and reveal the importance of the dynein-dependent centriole translocation in this process.

Ocean mixed layer depth estimation using airborne Brillouin scattering lidar: simulation and model.

The potential of Brillouin scattering lidar for detecting the mixed layer depth (MLD) was studied. We simulated the Brillouin scattering lidar signal in various water environmental parameters and developed an MLD retrieval model for Brillouin scattering lidar data. We first analyzed the theoretical maximum detectable depth for Brillouin scattering lidar in low-latitude sea regions based on the multiple scattering lidar equations. Subsequently, a theoretical method for calculating the Brillouin scattering frequency shift and linewidth was derived based on the international thermodynamic equation of seawater-2010 and the coupled wave equations. Then we used the theoretical method and the temperature-salinity (T-S) profile of the global Argo data in low-latitude regions to simulate the vertical profile distribution of the Brillouin scattering frequency shift and linewidth. Furthermore, we used a maximum angle method to estimate the ocean MLD in low-latitude regions based on the vertical profile distribution of the Brillouin scattering frequency shift and density in seawater. They are well correlated, which indicates that the frequency-shift component of the Brillouin scattering lidar signal for estimating ocean MLD is feasible and reliable. It appears that airborne or spaceborne Brillouin scattering lidar technology provides great potential for high-efficiency, large-area, and long-term monitoring of the global ocean MLD and upper-ocean water bodies.

An RTM-GWAS procedure reveals the QTL alleles and candidate genes for three yield-related traits in upland cotton.

BACKGROUND: Cotton (Gossypium spp.) fiber yield is one of the key target traits, and improved fiber yield has always been thought of as an important objective in the breeding programs and production. Although some studies had been reported for the understanding of genetic bases for cotton yield-related traits, the detected quantitative trait loci (QTL) for the traits is still very limited. To uncover the whole-genome QTL controlling three yield-related traits in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), phenotypic traits were investigated under four planting environments and 9244 single-nucleotide polymorphism linkage disequilibrium block (SNPLDB) markers were developed in an association panel consisting of 315 accessions. RESULTS: A total of 53, 70 and 68 significant SNPLDB loci associated with boll number (BN), boll weight (BW) and lint percentage (LP), were respectively detected through a restricted two-stage multi-locus multi-allele genome-wide association study (RTM-GWAS) procedure in multiple environments. The haplotype/allele effects of the significant SNPLDB loci were estimated and the QTL-allele matrices were organized for offering the abbreviated genetic composition of the population. Among the significant SNPLDB loci, six of them were simultaneously identified in two or more single planting environments and were thought of as the stable SNPLDB loci. Additionally, a total of 115 genes were annotated in the nearby regions of the six stable SNPLDB loci, and 16 common potential candidate genes controlling target traits of them were predicted by two RNA-seq data. One of 16 genes (GH_D06G2161) was mainly expressed in the early ovule-development stages, and the stable SNPLDB locus (LDB_19_62926589) was mapped in its promoter region. CONCLUSION: This study identified the QTL alleles and candidate genes that could provide important insights into the genetic basis of yield-related traits in upland cotton and might facilitate breeding cotton varieties with high yield.

Treadmill Exercise Attenuates Aß-Induced Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Enhances Mitophagy Activity in APP/PS1 Transgenic Mice.

Mitochondrial dysfunction is a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD), which may be related to mitophagy failure. Previous reports suggest that treadmill exercise protects against mitochondrial dysfunction in AD. However, few studies have investigated the relationship between mitophagy and mitochondrial adaptation caused by treadmill exercise in AD. The current study aimed to investigate whether exercise-ameliorated AD is associated with changes in mitophagy activity. Both Wild-type and APP/PS1 transgenic mice were divided into sedentary (WTC and ADC) and exercise (WTE and ADE) groups (n = 9 for each group). WTE and ADE mice were subjected to treadmill exercise for 12 weeks, followed by evaluating the effect of treadmill exercise on learning and memory ability, Aß plaques, mitochondrial Aß peptide level, synaptic activity and mitochondrial function. Meanwhile, mitophagy-related proteins PINK1, Parkin, LC3II and P62 were measured in the hippocampal mitochondrial fractions. The results indicated that exercise not only restored learning and memory ability, but also reduced Aß plaque area, mitochondrial Aß peptide level, and increased levels of synaptic markers SYN and GAP43, as well as reversed mitochondrial dysfunction (defective mitochondrial ultrastructure, decreased PGC-1α, TFAM and ATP levels) in APP/PS1 transgenic mice. Moreover, exercise increased mitophagy activity as evidenced by a significant decrease in levels of P62 and PINK1 as well as an increase in levels of LC3II and Parkin in ADE mice. These findings suggest that treadmill exercise can enhance mitophagy activity in the hippocampus, which is efficient in ameliorating pathological phenotypes of APP/PS1 transgenic mice.

Snowmelt and early to mid-growing season water availability augment tree growth during rapid warming in southern Asian boreal forests.

Boreal forests are facing profound changes in their growth environment, including warming-induced water deficits, extended growing seasons, accelerated snowmelt, and permafrost thaw. The influence of warming on trees varies regionally, but in most boreal forests studied to date, tree growth has been found to be negatively affected by increasing temperatures. Here, we used a network of Pinus sylvestris tree-ring collections spanning a wide climate gradient the southern end of the boreal forest in Asia to assess their response to climate change for the period 1958-2014. Contrary to findings in other boreal regions, we found that previously negative effects of temperature on tree growth turned positive in the northern portion of the study network after the onset of rapid warming. Trees in the drier portion did not show this reversal in their climatic response during the period of rapid warming. Abundant water availability during the growing season, particularly in the early to mid-growing season (May-July), is key to the reversal of tree sensitivity to climate. Advancement in the onset of growth appears to allow trees to take advantage of snowmelt water, such that tree growth increases with increasing temperatures during the rapidly warming period. The region's monsoonal climate delivers limited precipitation during the early growing season, and thus snowmelt likely covers the water deficit so trees are less stressed from the onset of earlier growth. Our results indicate that the growth response of P. sylvestris to increasing temperatures strongly related to increased early season water availability. Hence, boreal forests with sufficient water available during crucial parts of the growing season might be more able to withstand or even increase growth during periods of rising temperatures. We suspect that other regions of the boreal forest may be affected by similar dynamics.

Higher latewood to earlywood ratio increases resistance of radial growth to severe droughts in larch.

As drought has caused great losses of tree growth across the world, the mechanism of how trees adapt to drought has been extensively investigated. However, how trees change their late- to earlywood ratio (LER) to adapt to severe drought events remains poorly understood. We used a network of Larix principis-rupprechtii earlywood and latewood width data from 1979 to 2018, covering most of the distribution of planted larch across North China, to investigate how latewood proportion affected trees' resistance to drought. The interactions among LER, minimum temperature, vapor pressure deficit (VPD), growing season length, and their contributions to drought resistant (Rt) were estimated using structural equation models. The results show a significant increase in LER of the juvenile wood throughout the first 15 growth rings after which it stabilizes. The LER decreased significantly with elevation for the juvenile wood. March-May temperature and VPD were the main determinant in the LER of mature wood. The sensitivity of radial growth to droughts was positively changed with LER when LER was below 0.50, but negatively changed with LER when LER is above 0.50. We confirmed that high LER increases resistance of tree growth to severe droughts in L. principis-rupprechtii. Our results highlight that a higher proportion of latewood is formed in dry years, and this high drought sensitivity of LER in turn led to an increased resistance to drought. This combination of reduced radial growth during dry years, while the latewood proportion remains increases maybe an adaptive strategy of larch trees to cope with severe droughts.