(Brassicaceae), a new species from Yunnan, southwest China.

(Brassicaceae), the sixth species of the Chinese endemic genus , is described and illustrated. This plant is found in the Jiaozishan Mountains in Dongchuan District, northern Yunnan, southwest China. Morphologically, it shows close relationships with and , but differs from it in the leaf shape and size, inflorescence, flower size, shape of fruit and length of its pedicel.

The widespread capability of methylphosphonate utilization in filamentous cyanobacteria and its ecological significance.

Aquatic ecosystems comprise almost half of total global methane emissions. Recent evidence indicates that a few strains of cyanobacteria, the predominant primary producers in bodies of water, can produce methane under oxic conditions with methylphosphonate serving as substrate. In this work, we have screened the published 2 568 cyanobacterial genomes for genetic elements encoding phosphonate-metabolizing enzymes.

Comparative genomics reveals insights into cyanobacterial evolution and habitat adaptation.

Cyanobacteria are photosynthetic prokaryotes that inhabit diverse aquatic and terrestrial environments. However, the evolutionary mechanisms involved in the cyanobacterial habitat adaptation remain poorly understood. Here, based on phylogenetic and comparative genomic analyses of 650 cyanobacterial genomes, we investigated the genetic basis of cyanobacterial habitat adaptation (marine, freshwater, and terrestrial).

Responses of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in zebrafish liver exposed to sublethal doses of Aphanizomenon flosaquae DC-1 aphantoxins.

Blooms of the dominant cyanobacterium Aphanizomenon flosaquae are frequently encountered in natural waters, and their secretion of neurotoxic paralytic shellfish toxins called aphantoxins threatens environmental safety and human health worldwide. The liver is the primary detoxification organ in animals, and its pro- and anti-inflammatory responses are important functions in the detoxification of toxins. Therefore, we investigated the response of these inflammatory factors to aphantoxins in the liver of zebrafish (Danio rerio).

Which Nebulizer Position Should Be Avoided? An Extended Study of Aerosol Delivery and Ventilator Performance during Noninvasive Positive Pressure Ventilation.

Background: Research on the effect of nebulizer location on aerosol delivery during noninvasive ventilation has reached inconsistent conclusions.

Objective: To investigate the effects of nebulizer position on aerosol delivery efficiency and ventilator performance during noninvasive ventilation.

Methods: The Active Servo Lung 5000 respiratory simulation system (ASL5000) was used to simulate a COPD patient.

Respiratory toxicity of cyanobacterial aphantoxins from Aphanizomenon flos-aquae DC-1 in the zebrafish gill.

Aphantoxins from Aphanizomenon flos-aquae are frequently identified in eutrophic waterbodies worldwide. These toxins severely endanger environmental safety and human health due to the production of paralytic shellfish poisons (PSPs). Although the molecular mechanisms of aphantoxin neurotoxicity have been studied, many questions remain to be resolved such as in vivo alterations in branchial histology and neurotransmitter inactivation induced by these neurotoxins.

Antioxidative responses in zebrafish liver exposed to sublethal doses Aphanizomenon flos-aquae DC-1 aphantoxins.

Aphanizomenon flos-aquae secretes paralytic shellfish poisons (PSPs), termed aphantoxins, and endangers environmental and human health via eutrophication of water worldwide. Although the molecular mechanism of neuronal PSP toxicity has been well studied, several issues remain unresolved, notably the in vivo hepatic antioxidative responses to this neurotoxin. Aphantoxins extracted from a natural isolate of A.

Morphological alterations and acetylcholinesterase and monoamine oxidase inhibition in liver of zebrafish exposed to Aphanizomenon flos-aquae DC-1 aphantoxins.

Aphanizomenon flos-aquae is a cyanobacterium that produces neurotoxins or paralytic shellfish poisons (PSPs) called aphantoxins, which present threats to environmental safety and human health via eutrophication of water bodies worldwide. Although the molecular mechanisms of this neurotoxin have been studied, many questions remain unsolved, including those relating to in vivo hepatic neurotransmitter inactivation, physiological detoxification and histological and ultrastructural alterations. Aphantoxins extracted from the natural strain of A.

Lipid peroxidation and antioxidant responses in zebrafish brain induced by Aphanizomenon flos-aquae DC-1 aphantoxins.

Aphanizomenon flos-aquae is a cyanobacterium that is frequently encountered in eutrophic waters worldwide. It is source of neurotoxins known as aphantoxins or paralytic shellfish poisons (PSPs), which present a major threat to the environment and human health. The molecular mechanism of PSP action is known, however the in vivo effects of this neurotoxin on oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation and the antioxidant defense responses in zebrafish brain remain to be understood.

Zebrafish locomotor capacity and brain acetylcholinesterase activity is altered by Aphanizomenon flos-aquae DC-1 aphantoxins.

Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (A. flos-aquae) is a source of neurotoxins known as aphantoxins or paralytic shellfish poisons (PSPs) that present a major threat to the environment and to human health. Generally, altered neurological function is reflected in behavior.

Feasibility of biodiesel production by microalgae Chlorella sp. (FACHB-1748) under outdoor conditions.

Chlorella sp. (FACHB-1748) was cultivated outdoors under natural sunlight to evaluate its potential for biofuel production. Urea was selected as nitrogen source, and the concentration was optimized.

Evaluation of oil-producing algae as potential biodiesel feedstock.

This study attempted to connect the dots between laboratory research and the outdoors. Chlorella sp. NJ-18 was selected among seven oil-producing algae cultivated in this study because it had the highest lipid productivity.

[Stem profile model and variable-exponent of Larix gmelinii plantation].

A series of previous taper equations with variable parameters were compared in this study. The model with better fitting results (smaller residual sum of squares and higher correlation index) for Larix gmelinii taper was selected in terms of model fitting statistics (residual sum of squares and correlation index), and five indices for describing the taper were proposed, according to the meanings of variable parameters in the model. Among the taper equations compared, the equation provided by Lee et al.

Effects of sand burial on biomass, chlorophyll fluorescence and extracellular polysaccharides of man-made cyanobacterial crusts under experimental conditions.

Soil cyanobacterial crusts occur throughout the world, especially in the semiarid and arid regions. It always encounters sand burial, which is an important feature of mobile sand dunes. A greenhouse study was conducted to determine the effects of sand burial on biomass, chlorophyll fluorescence and extracellular polysaccharides of man-made cyanobacterial crusts in six periods of time (0, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 30 d after burying) and at five depths (0, 0.

Laparoscopic Heller-Dor operation for patients with achalasia.

Background: Laparoscopic Heller cardiomyotomy and Dor fundoplication is the surgical procedure of choice for esophageal achalasia. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical outcome of laparoscopic Heller-Dor procedure in our initial series of 25 patients with achalasia.

Methods: Between October 2003 and January 2006, a total of 25 patients with achalasia underwent laparoscopic Heller-Dor operation.