Neurotoxins subvert the allosteric activation mechanism of SARM1 to induce neuronal loss

SARM1 is an inducible TIR-domain NA

Molecular and morphological evidence support a new species of Rosaceae Prunus subg. Cerasus from Wuyishan National Park, southeast China

Prunus tongmuensis, a new species of cherry blossom, is described and illustrated from Wuyishan National Park, southeast China. This species is characterized by its tubular to nearly bottle-shaped receptacles and dark purple drupes. It can be distinguished from other wild cherry trees by its flowers and leaves, reddish brown young leaves, presence of 1–2 glands at the base of leaves, petioles densely covered with yellowish brown villi, longer pedicels (0.6–2.5 cm), villous pistil, and dark purple drupes. In the present study, we conducted a comprehensive morphological study based on specimens of the new species and its morphologically close species, field observations, and examination of pollen morphology. In addition, our phylogenetic analysis based on the complete plastid genome sequences further confirms the status of the new species and indicates that it is closely related to Prunus clarofolia, however, it notably differs in leaf shape, size, petiole villus color, gland location, timing of flower and leaf openings, and reflexed or spread sepals, as well as drupe color

A new analgesic method, two-minute sciatic nerve press, for immediate pain relief: a randomized trial

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Current analgesics have drawbacks such as delays in acquisition, lag-times for effect, and side effects. We recently presented a preliminary report of a new analgesic method involving a two-minute sciatic nerve press, which resulted in immediate short-term relief of pain associated with dental and renal diseases. The present study investigated whether this technique was effective for pain associated with other disease types, and whether the relief was effective for up to one hour.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial was conducted in four hospitals in Anhui Province, China. Patients with pain were sequentially recruited by participating physicians during clinic visits, and 135 patients aged 15 – 80 years were enrolled. Dental disease patients included those with acute pulpitis and periapical abscesses. Renal disease patients included those with kidney infections and/or stones. Tumor patients included those with nose, breast, stomach and liver cancers, while Emergency Room patients had various pathologies. Patients were randomly assigned to receive a "sciatic nerve press" in which pressure was applied simultaneously to the sciatic nerves at the back of both thighs, or a "placebo press" in which pressure was applied to a parallel region on the front of the thighs. Each fist applied a pressure of 11 – 20 kg for 2 minutes. Patients rated their level of pain before and after the procedure.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The "sciatic nerve press" produced immediate relief of pain in all patient groups. Emergency patients reported a 43.5% reduction in pain (p < 0.001). Significant pain relief for dental, renal and tumor patients lasted for 60 minutes (p < 0.001). The peak pain relief occurred at the 10 – 20^thminutes, and the relief decreased 47% by the 60^thminutes.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Two minutes of pressure on both sciatic nerves produced immediate significant short-term conduction analgesia. This technique is a convenient, safe and powerful method for the short-term treatment of clinical pain associated with a diverse range of pathologies.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>Current Controlled Trials ACTRN012606000439549</p

GWAS Identifies Novel Susceptibility Loci on 6p21.32 and 21q21.3 for Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Carriers

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have recently identified KIF1B as susceptibility locus for hepatitis B virus (HBV)–related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). To further identify novel susceptibility loci associated with HBV–related HCC and replicate the previously reported association, we performed a large three-stage GWAS in the Han Chinese population. 523,663 autosomal SNPs in 1,538 HBV–positive HCC patients and 1,465 chronic HBV carriers were genotyped for the discovery stage. Top candidate SNPs were genotyped in the initial validation samples of 2,112 HBV–positive HCC cases and 2,208 HBV carriers and then in the second validation samples of 1,021 cases and 1,491 HBV carriers. We discovered two novel associations at rs9272105 (HLA-DQA1/DRB1) on 6p21.32 (OR = 1.30, P = 1.13×$10^{−19}$) and rs455804 (GRIK1) on 21q21.3 (OR = 0.84, P = 1.86×$10^{−8}$), which were further replicated in the fourth independent sample of 1,298 cases and 1,026 controls (rs9272105: OR = 1.25, P = 1.71×$10^{−4}$; rs455804: OR = 0.84, P = 6.92×$10^{−3}$). We also revealed the associations of HLA-DRB1*0405 and 0901*0602, which could partially account for the association at rs9272105. The association at rs455804 implicates GRIK1 as a novel susceptibility gene for HBV–related HCC, suggesting the involvement of glutamate signaling in the development of HBV–related HCC

Marginal abatement cost of agricultural carbon emissions in China: 1993-2015

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to estimate shadow prices of agricultural carbon emissions produced by agricultural inputs, rice paddy and burning crop residue, and to explore the impact of cropping pattern on marginal abatement cost (MAC). Design/methodology/approach The shadow price of agricultural carbon emissions is estimated by applying directional distance function and non-parametric methods. Findings The estimated shadow price of agricultural carbon emissions ranges from 6.78 to 557.83 yuan/ton, and the average value is 62.50 yuan/ton (or $10.18/ton). The MAC value varies in different provinces and years. The regional difference of MAC shows a decreasing trend during the investigation period. Cropping pattern shows a significant negative impact on agricultural MAC. A 1 percent decrease of rice proportion leads to a 0.31 percent increase in MAC value. This implies that the higher the proportion of rice is, the lower the economic cost to reduce agricultural carbon emissions would be. Practical implications It is feasible to draw up appropriate mechanisms for the allocation of emission reduction responsibilities according to conditions in various regions, with emphasis on the local cropping patterns. There is a trade-off between reducing carbon emission and increasing crop yields. Originality/value This study calculates agricultural MAC by using the shadow price approach, taking agricultural carbon emissions as undesired environmental output. The study also provides a reference emission right price and provides guidance to make use of cropping structure adjustment and optimization for exploring the emission reduction strategy

The Shadow Prices of Carbon Emissions in China’s Planting Industry

The shadow prices of carbon emissions are essential for assessing emission abatement costs and formulating environmental public policies. By adopting the directional distance function method, this paper studies the shadow prices of carbon emissions caused by three main emission sources from China’s planting industry for a panel of 30 provinces spanning the period 1997–2014. We find that there is considerable regional heterogeneity in the shadow prices, and, of the 30 provinces, 23 are characterized by decreasing trends while only seven are on the rise over time. This implies that there is inefficiency of resource allocation among provinces, and the capacity for abatement increases during the observed period. The results support the following recommendation: It might be worth attempting to bring agriculture in China into line with its emission rights trading scheme, not only to help motivate the reduction of emissions but also to improve resource allocation. Also, policymakers are required to enhance regional cooperation and facilitate carbon-reduction technology transfer, to improve the immaterial production factors’ contribution to planting industry growth

Study on Water Replacement Characteristics of Xinghai Lake Wetland Based on Landscape Water Quality Objectives

Many issues with water quality and water ecology are caused by the Xinghai Lake’s enormous catchment, significant evaporation rates, and one additional water supply. To quantitatively study Xinghai Lake’s water displacement characteristics, a two-dimensional hydrodynamic-tracer coupling model based on MIKE21 was developed. The findings indicate that: (1) Xinghai Lake’s water replacement cycle exhibits spatial heterogeneity, with a general characteristic of fast water renewal in the southern lake area and slow renewal in the northern lake area, and the gradient change of the water replacement cycle from south to north is influenced by a variety of factors, including the lake’s flow field, flow, topography, and wind field. (2) The throughput flow has an impact on the majority of the waters in Xinghai Lake. When there is a high water flow, the lake region has a high flow velocity, rapid water transport, and a large capacity for water exchange; when there is a low water flow, the lake area has a slow flow velocity, poor water flow, and a lengthy water exchange period. (3) The flow field of Xinghai Lake is complicated, the flow velocity is low, and it is a lake system where quick water exchange and slow water exchange coexist. This flow field is influenced by the interplay of wind-generated flow and throughput flow. (4) To speed up the water body’s rejuvenation, the Xinghai Lake wetland needs more inlets and exits to introduce new water sources

Marginal abatement cost of agricultural carbon emissions in China: 1993-2015

PRIFPRI3; ISI; DCA; Capacity Strengthening; 1 Fostering Climate-Resilient and Sustainable Food SupplyEPTDCGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE

Double Ionization of Nitrogen from Multiple Orbitals

In intense femtosecond laser fields, molecules could be tunnel ionized from multiple valence orbitals, which produces molecular ions in different electronic states. In this article, we have used a reaction microscope to study double ionization of nitrogen by intense femtosecond laser pulses. It is found that some doubly charged molecular ions N(2)(2+) are metastable while others dissociate through charge symmetric dissociation (N(2)(2+) -> N(+) + N(+)) or charge asymmetric dissociation (N(2)(2+) -> N(2+) + N). The kinetic energy releases and angular distributions of atomic ions are measured for the dissociation channels. With the aid of the CASSCF and MRCI calculations, the electronic states are identified and the contributions of the valence orbitals are discussed for these dissociated molecular dications

Purification and Concentration of the Total Saikosaponins Extracted from Radix Bupleuri using Foam Fractionation

Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities; Fujian Science and Technology Committee [2013H0043]; Xiamen Science and Technology Committee [3502Z20123005]The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of foam fractionation to recover saikosaponins. First, the solvent extraction method was applied for the extraction of saikosaponins from radix bupleuri using ethanol or deionized water. Then, the foam fractionation technique in batch mode was used for the recovery of the total saikosaponins from the extract. The effects of initial concentration, air flow rate, liquid loading volume, pH, and operating time on the process performance were investigated. The recovery percentage 77.2% and an enrichment ratio 3.68 of total saikosaponins with one-stage separation were obtained under the optimal conditions of initial saikosaponin concentration 0.18mg/mL, air flow rate 50mL/min, liquid loading volume 200mL, pH 5.5, and operating time of 2h. A two-stage foam fractionation technology was also designed, which was effective for improving both the recovery percentage and enrichment ratio simultaneously