Variation of Oriental Oak (Quercus variabilis) Leaf δ13C across Temperate and Subtropical China: Spatial Patterns and Sensitivity to Precipitation

The concentration of the carbon-13 isotope (leaf δ13C) in leaves is negatively correlated with the mean annual precipitation (MAP) atlarge geographical scales. In this paper, we explain the spatial pattern of leaf δ13C variation for deciduous oriental oak (Quercus variabilis Bl.) across temperate and subtropical biomes and its sensitivity to climate factors such as MAP. There was a 6‰ variation in the leaf δ13C values of oak with a significant positive correlation with latitude and negative correlations with the mean annual temperature (MAT) and MAP. There was no correlation between leaf δ13C and altitude or longitude. Stepwise multiple regression analyses showed that leaf δ13C decreased 0.3‰ per 100 mm increase in MAP. MAP alone could account for 68% of the observed variation in leaf δ13C. These results can be used to improve predictions for plant responses to climate change and particularly lower rainfall

Climatic Control on Plant and Soil d13C along an Altitudinal Transect of Lushan Mountain in Subtropical China: Characteristics and Interpretation of Soil Carbon Dynamics

<div><p>Decreasing temperature and increasing precipitation along altitude gradients are typical mountain climate in subtropical China. In such a climate regime, identifying the patterns of the C stable isotope composition (δ¹³C) in plants and soils and their relations to the context of climate change is essential. In this study, the patterns of δ¹³C variation were investigated for tree leaves, litters, and soils in the natural secondary forests at four altitudes (219, 405, 780, and 1268 m a.s.l.) in Lushan Mountain, central subtropical China. For the dominant trees, both leaf and leaf-litter δ¹³C decreased as altitude increased from low to high altitude, whereas surface soil δ¹³C increased. The lower leaf δ¹³C at high altitudes was associated with the high moisture-related discrimination, while the high soil δ¹³C is attributed to the low temperature-induced decay. At each altitude, soil δ¹³C became enriched with soil depth. Soil δ¹³C increased with soil C concentrations and altitude, but decreased with soil depth. A negative relationship was also found between O-alkyl C and δ¹³C in litter and soil, whereas a positive relationship was observed between aromatic C and δ¹³C. Lower temperature and higher moisture at high altitudes are the predominant control factors of δ¹³C variation in plants and soils. These results help understand C dynamics in the context of global warming.</p></div

GPD1L downregulation in colorectal cancer: a novel obesity-related biomarker linking metabolic dysregulation to tumor progression

ObjectiveTo delineate the expression profile and tumor-suppressive function of the metabolism-associated gene GPD1L in colorectal carcinogenesis. Methods: Transcriptomic datasets from TCGA and GEO repositories (GSE74602, GSE113513, GSE164191) were computationally analyzed. Paired tumor/adjacent mucosal specimens (n=58) from CRC patients at Jincheng People’s Hospital were analyzed alongside the NCM460 colon epithelial line and five CRC lines (SW620, HCT116, SW480, DLD-1, LOVO). Following GPD1L quantification via qPCR, selected cell models underwent pcDNA3.1-GPD1L transfection for functional characterization. Then Western blot analysis was used to explore its possible mechanism.ResultsComparative analysis revealed a marked elevation of GPD1L expression in non-neoplastic tissues relative to tumor specimens (P&lt;0.001). Transcriptional profiling further identified significant depletion of GPD1L mRNA levels across malignant cell lines versus the NCM460 epithelial reference (P&lt;0.05), with HCT116/SW620 showing maximal downregulation. Ectopic GPD1L expression attenuated oncogenic phenotypes: proliferation decreased (P&lt;0.001), while Transwell quantification revealed 46.0% (HCT116: 605.0 ± 9.2 vs 326.7 ± 8.50 cells/field) and 54.3% (SW620: 455.3 ± 17.2 vs 208.0 ± 14.0 cells/field) reductions in migratory capacity (both P&lt;0.001). Invasion assays showed parallel inhibition (HCT116: 43.3% decrease, P&lt;0.01; SW620: 54.8% decrease, P&lt;0.001). After overexpression of GPD1L, the expression levels of HIF-1α and MMP9 were reduced (P&lt;0.05).ConclusionGPD1L downregulation represents a hallmark of CRC progression, with affecting the expression of HIF-1α and MMP9 significantly impeding malignant behaviors, nominating it as a candidate tumor suppressor in colorectal neoplasia

Identification of novel immune-related targets mediating disease progression in acute pancreatitis

IntroductionAcute pancreatitis (AP) is an inflammatory disease with very poor outcomes. However, the order of induction and coordinated interactions of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and compensatory anti-inflammatory response syndrome (CARS) and the potential mechanisms in AP are still unclear.MethodsAn integrative analysis was performed based on transcripts of blood from patients with different severity levels of AP (GSE194331), as well as impaired lung (GSE151572), liver (GSE151927) and pancreas (GSE65146) samples from an AP experimental model to identify inflammatory signals and immune response-associated susceptibility genes. An AP animal model was established in wild-type (WT) mice and Tlr2-deficient mice by repeated intraperitoneal injection of cerulein. Serum lipase and amylase, pancreas impairment and neutrophil infiltration were evaluated to assess the effects of Tlr2 in vivo.ResultsThe numbers of anti-inflammatory response-related cells, such as M2 macrophages (P = 3.2 × 10–3), were increased with worsening AP progression, while the numbers of pro-inflammatory response-related cells, such as neutrophils (P = 3.0 × 10–8), also increased. Then, 10 immune-related AP susceptibility genes (SOSC3, ITGAM, CAMP, FPR1, IL1R1, TLR2, S100A8/9, HK3 and MMP9) were identified. Finally, compared with WT mice, Tlr2-deficient mice exhibited not only significantly reduced serum lipase and amylase levels after cerulein induction but also alleviated pancreatic inflammation and neutrophil accumulation.DiscussionIn summary, we discovered SIRS and CARS were stimulated in parallel, not activated consecutively. In addition, among the novel susceptibility genes, TLR2might be a novel therapeutic target that mediates dysregulation of inflammatory responses during AP progression

Solid state fermentation for the production of lipolytic fungal enzymes

The production of lypolitic moulds in solid state fermentation was studied. Aspergillus oryzae and Rhizopus oryzae were grown on rice hulls using different media. Tween 80 and olive oil were employed as main carbon sources; the whole solid cultures were lyophilised and employed in heptane for catalysing the formation of various geranyl esters with molar conversions ranging from 40 to 95%, under optimised conditions, starting from 50 mM geraniol and equimolar amount of the acid