Marine Compound Catunaregin Inhibits Angiogenesis through the Modulation of Phosphorylation of Akt and eNOS in vivo and in vitro

Angiogenesis is the formation of blood vessels from pre-existing vasculature. Excessive or uncontrolled angiogenesis is a major contributor to many pathological conditions whereas inhibition of aberrant angiogenesis is beneficial to patients with pathological angiogenesis. Catunaregin is a core of novel marine compound isolated from mangrove associate. The potential anti-angiogenesis of catunaregin was investigated in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and zebrafish. HUVECs were treated with different concentrations of catunaregin in the presence or absence of VEGF. The angiogenic phenotypes including cell invasion cell migration and tube formation were evaluated following catunaregin treatment in HUVECs. The possible involvement of AKT, eNOS and ERK1/2 in catunaregin-induced anti-angiogenesis was explored using Western blotting. The anti-angiogenesis of catunaregin was further tested in the zebrafish embryo neovascularization and caudal fin regeneration assays. We found that catunaregin dose-dependently inhibited angiogenesis in both HUVECs and zebrafish embryo neovascularization and zebrafish caudal fin regeneration assays. In addition, catunaregin significantly decreased the phosphorylation of Akt and eNOS, but not the phosphorylation of ERK1/2. The present work demonstrates that catunaregin exerts the anti-angiogenic activity at least in part through the regulation of the Akt and eNOS signaling pathways.     

Two New Cytotoxic Indole Alkaloids from a Deep-Sea Sediment Derived Metagenomic Clone

Two new indole alkaloids, metagenetriindole A (1) and metagenebiindole A (2), were identified from deep-sea sediment metagenomic clone derived Escherichia coli fermentation broth. The structures of new compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. The two new indole alkaloids demonstrated moderately cytotoxic activity against CNE2, Bel7402 and HT1080 cancer cell lines in vitro.     

Overview on Biological Activities and Molecular Characteristics of Sulfated Polysaccharides from Marine Green Algae in Recent Years

Among the three main divisions of marine macroalgae (Chlorophyta, Phaeophyta and Rhodophyta), marine green algae are valuable sources of structurally diverse bioactive compounds and remain largely unexploited in nutraceutical and pharmaceutical areas. Recently, a great deal of interest has been developed to isolate novel sulfated polysaccharides (SPs) from marine green algae because of their numerous health beneficial effects. Green seaweeds are known to synthesize large quantities of SPs and are well established sources of these particularly interesting molecules such as ulvans from Ulva and Enteromorpha, sulfated rhamnans from Monostroma, sulfated arabinogalactans from Codium, sulfated galacotans from Caulerpa, and some special sulfated mannans from different species. These SPs exhibit many beneficial biological activities such as anticoagulant, antiviral, antioxidative, antitumor, immunomodulating, antihyperlipidemic and antihepatotoxic activities. Therefore, marine algae derived SPs have great potential for further development as healthy food and medical products. The present review focuses on SPs derived from marine green algae and presents an overview of the recent progress of determinations of their structural types and biological activities, especially their potential health benefits.     

Punctaporonins H–M: Caryophyllene-Type Sesquiterpenoids from the Sponge-Associated Fungus Hansfordia sinuosae

Six new caryophyllene-based sesquiterpenoids named punctaporonins H–M (1–6), together with punctaporonin B (7) and humulane (8) were isolated from the fermentation broth of the sponge-derived fungus Hansfordia sinuosae. Their structures were determined by the extensive HRESIMS and NMR spectroscopic analysis, including the X-ray crystallographic data for the assignment of the absolute configurations of punctaporonins H–I (1–2). The isolated compounds were evaluated for antihyperlipidemic, cytotoxic and antimicrobial activities, and punctaporonin K (4) exhibited potent effects to reduce the triglycerides and total cholesterol in the intracellular levels.     

Effects of Low Light on Agronomic and Physiological Characteristics of Rice Including Grain Yield and Quality

Light intensity is one of the most important environmental factors that determine the basic characteristics of rice development. However, continuously cloudy weather or rainfall, especially during the grain-filling stage, induces a significant loss in yield and results in poor grain quality. Stress caused by low light often creates severe meteorological disasters in some rice-growing regions worldwide. This review was based on our previous research and related research regarding the effects of low light on rice growth, yield and quality as well as the formation of grain, and mainly reviewed the physiological metabolism of rice plants, including characteristics of photosynthesis, activities of antioxidant enzymes in rice leaves and key enzymes involved in starch synthesis in grains, as well as the translocations of carbohydrate and nitrogen. These characteristics include various grain yield and rice quality components （milling and appearance as well as cooking, eating and nutritional qualities） under different rates of shading imposed at the vegetative or reproductive stages of rice plants. Furthermore, we discussed why grain yield and quality are reduced under the low light environment. Next, we summarized the need for future research that emphasizes methods can effectively improve rice grain yield and quality under low light stress. These research findings can provide a beneficial reference for rice cultivation management and breeding program in low light environments.     

基于ZGS和TW模型的长江流域植被NPP时空演变特征

[目的]研究长江流域陆地植被生态系统初级净生产力(NPP)的时空演变特征,为政府部门建立和调整生态功能恢复项目提供参考。[方法]以长江流域为研究区,基于2000—2019年的降水和气温数据,采用周广胜—张新时模型(ZGS)和Thornthwaite Memorial (TM)模型估算NPP,并进一步利用皮尔逊相关分析、一元线性回归分析、Mann-Kendall显著性检验等,对比分析长江流域陆地植被生态系统NPP时空演变特征。[结果](1)基于上述两个模型模拟得到的长江流域NPP时空演变趋势基本一致,相关系数R为0.982,呈现显著正相关关系;(2)2000—2019年长江流域陆地植被生态系统实际NPP与潜在NPP均呈上升趋势,上升速率分别为6.85,2.74 g/(m~2·a)。(3)长江流域实际NPP和潜在NPP在空间上呈东南高西北低的分布格局,低值区域主要分布在草地生态系统;高值区域大部分分布在森林生态系统和农田生态系统。(4)2000—2019年长江流域实际NPP与潜在NPP呈上升趋势的面积分别占研究区总面积的80.65%和84.81%,主要分布在云南、青海、西藏、四川北部及浙江...     

不同水分条件下保水剂对黄瓜根系和叶片生理特征的影响

[目的]研究不同土壤干旱生境中保水剂对黄瓜根系和叶片生理特征的影响,探讨其生长效应与土壤水分的内在联系,为保水剂的合理施用和农田科学灌溉等提供一定的技术参考。[方法]利用盆栽模拟试验,通过定量灌水,系统研究在3种不同的土壤水分条件下,保水剂对黄瓜根际水分、根系形态特征、叶绿素荧光参数和叶片气孔性状等生理特性的影响。[结果](1)不同水分条件下,保水剂处理的黄瓜根系生长受到明显抑制。与对照相比,保水剂处理组在土壤含水量为田间持水量70%(FC₂)和55%(FC₃)时的总根长、平均根系直径、总根体积、根表面积和根干重均显著降低,分别降低了3.4%,24.2%,62.1%,41.0%和51.6%以上。(2)随着干旱胁迫的加剧,保水剂处理叶片的有效光合效率(F_v′/F_m′)和实际量子产量[Y(Ⅱ)]较对照出现先升后降的变化趋势,非光化学淬灭(NPQ)则呈相反的变化;尤其在FC₂和FC₃处理时,保水剂处理促使黄瓜叶片的光化学淬灭(q_P)较对照分...     

中国边境9省(区)城镇化与乡村振兴的耦合协调与影响因素

[目的] 探讨中国边境9省（区）城镇化与乡村振兴两大战略系统的协调发展关系与影响因素,为统筹边境地区城乡发展与促进国土安全提供科学依据。[方法] 构建城镇化与乡村振兴的指标综合评价体系,采取耦合协调度模型、灰色关联度模型分析中国边境9省（区）2008—2018年两大系统的耦合协调关系及影响因素。[结果] ①2008—2018年中国边境地区城镇化指数呈波动上升态势,总体上土地城镇化高于人口城镇化。②乡村振兴整体指数由2008年的0.273上升至2018年的0.756,边境城乡统筹推进力度加大,省域乡村发展差距不断在缩小。③城镇化与乡村振兴的协调程度由中度协调向高度协调转变,按照两系统的协调程度情况将边境9省（区）划分为优化提升型、调整进步型与重点突破型。④中国边境9省（区）城镇化与乡村振兴两大系统的协调发展是各种内外部力量交织作用下的结果,其中政府决策起到关键引导作用,互联互通扮演“催化剂”角色,产业结构提供重要内生“造血”力量,经济发展与人口迁移具有外部“输血”作用。[结论] 应从建立健全城乡融合发展机制、分区分级分类制定发展战略、构建跨区域协同发展新格局和激活创新驱动内生发展动力等方面促进中国边境9省（区）城镇化与乡村振兴协调发展。     

1989—2019年库布齐沙漠植被覆盖度的时空变化

[目的]探究库布齐沙漠近1989—2019年植被覆盖度的时空动态变化规律,为库布齐沙漠植被恢复及生态建设提供理论参考和基础数据。[方法]以1989—2019年每5 a为1期(共7期)的Landsat影像为数据源,结合归一化植被指数(NDVI)像元二分法模型,利用ENVI 5.3和ArcGIS 10.2分析库布齐沙漠1989—2019年植被覆盖度(FVC)时空动态变化特征。[结果](1)在时间变化上,近30 a间库布齐沙漠植被覆盖度整体呈增长趋势,平均植被覆盖度由0.104增长到0.243。在空间分布上,库布齐沙漠植被覆盖度呈现由西向东、向北增加的特征。(2)库布齐沙漠植被覆盖在1999—2004年和2009—2014年均呈现退化趋势,平均植被覆盖度分别减少0.053和0.054,退化面积分别为3 870.22和6 093.59 km~2,退化程度均以植被覆盖度减少10%～30%为主。[结论] 1989—2019年库布齐沙漠植被覆盖度总体有所改善,未来该区生态修复重点关注低植被覆盖区域。     

不同植物配置模式对人工边坡减流减沙效益的影响

[目的] 探讨不同植物模式（混草、花草、灌草、乔草）及配置比例对生产建设项目人工边坡水土流失的影响,为人工边坡植被恢复提供参考。[方法] 采用径流小区定位观测法,记录2019年1—12月自然降雨,研究4种植物模式的产流产沙特点,揭示4种植物模式的减流减沙效益。[结果] ①观测期内总降雨量为1 052.73 mm,总降雨历时为845.1 h,7月降雨量最大,2月降雨历时最长,降雨集中在1—7月,以中雨、大雨、暴雨为主。②每场降雨产流差异大,产流月季差异大,集中在2—4月及7月,多发生在中雨、大雨和暴雨情况。③每场降雨及月、季降雨之间产沙差异大,3月产沙最大,产沙集中在2—4月及7月,多发生中雨、大雨和暴雨。④以花草模式为对照,每场降雨条件下灌草模式的减流率最大,乔草模式的减沙率最大,月降雨累计条件下,混草模式减流率最大,乔草模式减沙率最大,不同降雨等级累积和全年累积条件下,乔草模式的减流减沙率最大。[结论] 植被恢复初期,受植被覆盖度差异影响,乔草模式、混草模式的减流减沙率较大,具有较好的固土保持效益。