Age‐associated obesity and muscle atrophy (sarcopenia) are intimately connected and are reciprocally regulated by adipose tissue and skeletal muscle dysfunction. During ageing, adipose inflammation ...leads to the redistribution of fat to the intra‐abdominal area (visceral fat) and fatty infiltrations in skeletal muscles, resulting in decreased overall strength and functionality. Lipids and their derivatives accumulate both within and between muscle cells, inducing mitochondrial dysfunction, disturbing β‐oxidation of fatty acids, and enhancing reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, leading to lipotoxicity and insulin resistance, as well as enhanced secretion of some pro‐inflammatory cytokines. In turn, these muscle‐secreted cytokines may exacerbate adipose tissue atrophy, support chronic low‐grade inflammation, and establish a vicious cycle of local hyperlipidaemia, insulin resistance, and inflammation that spreads systemically, thus promoting the development of sarcopenic obesity (SO). We call this the metabaging cycle. Patients with SO show an increased risk of systemic insulin resistance, systemic inflammation, associated chronic diseases, and the subsequent progression to full‐blown sarcopenia and even cachexia. Meanwhile in many cardiometabolic diseases, the ostensibly protective effect of obesity in extremely elderly subjects, also known as the ‘obesity paradox’, could possibly be explained by our theory that many elderly subjects with normal body mass index might actually harbour SO to various degrees, before it progresses to full‐blown severe sarcopenia. Our review outlines current knowledge concerning the possible chain of causation between sarcopenia and obesity, proposes a solution to the obesity paradox, and the role of fat mass in ageing.
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FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) form a near-ubiquitous mutualistic association with roots to help plants withstand harsh environments, and play a key role in the establishment of coastal beach ...plant communities. Yet little is known about the structure and composition of AMF communities on coastal beaches of eastern China. In this study, we investigated the occurrence, community composition and diversity of AMF associated with common wild plants on a coastal beach of North Jiangsu, China. Almost all of the local wild species were colonized by AMF except for
Chenopodium album
L. Thirty-seven AMF species were isolated from the rhizosphere belonging to 12 genera in seven families.
Glomus
was the dominant genus and
Funneliformis mosseae
the dominant species. The colonization, spore composition and diversity of AMF were strongly related to edaphic factors. Sodium (Na
+
) ions in the soil significantly and negatively affected the colonization rate by AMF and both soil Na
+
levels and pH had a significant negative effect on AMF spore density and evenness. However, there was a significant positive correlation between species richness and total organic carbon. The results provide insights into soil factors affecting native AMF communities in coastal beach habitats which could benefit vegetation recovery and soil reclamation efforts.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) play an important role in the establishment and maintenance of plant communities in forest ecosystems. Most previous studies about AMF have been conducted in ...natural forests, and little attention has been paid to trees in planted forests. This study investigated AMF associated with tree species and the relationships between edaphic factors and AMF communities in a planted forest of eastern China. We found high total AMF colonization rates in the roots of Carya illinoensis (Wangenh.) K. Koch, Zelkova serrata (Thunb.) Makinoz, Taxodium ‘zhongshansha’, Eucommia ulmoides Oliv., and Elaeagnus pungens Thunb., ranging from 62.07% to 100%, indicating that AMF can establish effective symbiotic relationships with these tree species. The AMF colonization rate was significantly and negatively correlated with soil phosphorus, while AMF colonization intensity was significantly and negatively correlated with soil moisture content, total carbon, and organic matter content. Spore density was in the range of 4.38 to 76.38 spores per g soil. In total, 35 AMF species from 10 genera were identified. Glomus and Acaulospora were the dominant genera. Acaulospora foveata and Septoglomus constrictum were the dominant species. AMF communities differed among the tree species and were closely related to edaphic factors, and AMF diversity was significantly related to soil carbon and pH. Our results revealed the colonization, community, and diversity of AMF associated with tree species, as well as their relationships with edaphic factors, in planted forests. Our findings can be used to provide insight on the utilization and management of AMF to maintain sustainable management of planted forests.
The present study aims to prepare carvedilol (CAR) nanosuspensions using the anti-solvent precipitation–ultrasonication technique to improve its dissolution rate and oral bioavailability. ...Alpha-tocopherol succinate (VES) was first used as a co-stabilizer to enhance the stability of the nanosuspensions. The effects of the process parameters on particle size of the nanosuspensions were investigated. The optimal values of the precipitation temperature, power inputs, and the time length of ultrasonication were selected as 10°C, 400 W, and 15 min, respectively. Response surface methodology based on central composite design was utilized to evaluate the formulation factors that affect the size of nanosuspensions,
i.e.
, the concentration of CAR and VES in the organic solution, and the level of sodium dodecyl sulfate in the anti-solvent phase, respectively. The optimized formulation showed a mean size of 212 ± 12 nm and a zeta potential of −42 ± 3 mV. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the nanosuspensions were flaky-shaped. Powder X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry analysis confirmed that the nanoparticles were in the amorphous state. Fourier transform infrared analysis demonstrated that the reaction between CAR and VES is probably due to hydrogen bonding. The nanosuspension was physically stable at 25°C for 1 week, which allows it to be further processing such as drying. The dissolution rate of the nanosuspensions was markedly enhanced by reducing the size. The
in vivo
test demonstrated that the
C
max
and AUC
0–36
values of nanosuspensions were approximately 3.3- and 2.9-fold greater than that of the commercial tablets, respectively.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
To solve Multimodal optimization problems (MOPs), a Novel Quantum entanglement‐inspired meta‐heuristic framework (NMF‐QE) is proposed. Its main inspirations are two concepts of quantum physics: ...quantum entanglement and quantum superposition. When given Proto‐born particles (PBPs) of a population, these two concepts are mathematically developed to generate twin‐born and combination‐born particles, respectively. And if any elite‐born particles would be created by a local re‐searching strategy. These three or four groups of particles come together as a whole search population of NMF‐QE to realize exploration and exploitation of algorithms. To guarantee dynamical optimization capability of NMF‐QE, the individual evolutionary mechanism of some existing meta‐heuristics will be adopted to iteratively create PBPs. A selected meta‐heuristic is coupled with NMF‐QE to present its improved variant. Numerical results show that the proposed NMF‐QE can effectively improve optimization performance of meta‐heuristics on MOPs.
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FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Examining the spatiotemporal changes of territorial space is crucial for addressing the conflict between economic-social development and the natural environment and achieving optimal territorial ...space utilization. However, there is a research gap regarding the spatial characteristics and optimization in the mountain–flatland area. To address this gap, this paper focuses on the urban agglomeration in Central Yunnan (UACY) as a representative mountain-flatland area. A mountain–flatland classification model was established. Based on the evaluation of production– living– ecological functions, the economic models were introduced to measure the balance degree, and further researched the spatiotemporal evolution and coupling coordination characteristics by spatial analysis from 2010 to 2020. The findings indicate the following: (1) The study area exhibited distinct mountain-flatland differentiation, with "western mountainous counties (MCs)/semi-mountainous and semi-flatland counties (SMSFCs), central flatland counties (FCs), and eastern SMSFCs". production function (PF) primarily formed a cluster in the central-northeastern areas of FCs and of SMSFCs, living function (LF) was highly clustered in the central areas of FCs, remained stable, and ecological function (EF) was significantly clustered in the northwestern regions of MCs and of SMSFCs, significantly enhanced in the northeast. (2) The imbalance degree followed the order LF > PF > EF, showing a decreasing trend primarily driven by intra-group imbalances within FCs, SMSFCs, and MCs. The coordinate areas were mainly concentrated in central FCs, and the dysfunctional areas was largely located in MCs and SMSFCs, the degree was improved, especially in northwestern and southeastern MCs and SMSFCs. (3) The study area fell into 18 functional areas, optimized into 13 areas, with recommendations for differentiated development control paths to achieve an optimization of PLEFs. These results provide theoretical references for promoting sustainable utilization of territorial resources and facilitating high-quality regional development in UACY and other parts of the country.
•Constructed a flatland-mountain evaluation index.•An evaluation index system was built at the perspective of PLEF.•Introduced Gini coefficient and Theil index to measure the balance of the PLEFs' distribution.•Functional zoning was proposed by coupling coordination and comparative advantage.•The optimization path was on the perspective of sustainable development.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Although microorganisms play a key role in the carbon cycle of the Poyang Lake wetland, the relationship between soil microbial community structure and organic carbon characteristics is unknown. ...Herein, high-throughput sequencing technology was used to explore the effects of water level (low and high levels above the water table) and vegetation types (
and
) on microbial community characteristics in the Poyang Lake wetland, and the relationships between soil microbial and organic carbon characteristics were revealed. The results showed that water level had a significant effect on organic carbon characteristics, and that soil total nitrogen, organic carbon, recombinant organic carbon, particle organic carbon, and microbial biomass carbon were higher at low levels above the water table. A positive correlation was noted between soil water content and organic carbon characteristics. Water level and vegetation type significantly affected soil bacterial and fungal diversity, with water level exerting a higher effect than vegetation type. The impacts of water level and vegetation type were higher on fungi than on bacteria. The bacterial diversity and evenness were significantly higher at high levels above the water table, whereas an opposite trend was noted among fungi. The bacterial and fungal richness in
community soil was higher than that in
community soil. Although both water level and vegetation type had significant effects on bacterial and fungal community structures, the water level had a higher impact than vegetation type. The bacterial and fungal community changes were the opposite at different water levels but remained the same in different vegetation soils. The organic carbon characteristics of wetland soil were negatively correlated with bacterial diversity but positively correlated with fungal diversity. Soil water content, soluble organic carbon, C/N, and microbial biomass carbon were the key soil factors affecting the wetland microbial community. Acidobacteria, Alphaproteobacteria, Verrucomicrobia, Gammaproteobacteria, and Eurotiomycetes were the key microbiota affecting the soil carbon cycle in the Poyang Lake wetland. Thus, water and carbon sources were the limiting factors for bacteria and fungi in wetlands with low soil water content (30%). Hence, the results provided a theoretical basis for understanding the microbial-driven mechanism of the wetland carbon cycle.
Microbial inoculants can be used to restore abandoned mines because of their positive effects on plant growth and soil nutrients. Currently, soils in greenhouse pot studies are routinely sterilized ...to eradicate microorganisms, allowing for better inoculant colonization. Large-scale field sterilization of abandoned mining site soils for restoration is difficult, though. In addition, microbial inoculants have an impact on plants. Plants also have an impact on local microbes. The interactions among microbial inoculants, native microorganisms, and plants, however, have not been studied. We created a pot experiment utilizing the soil and microbial inoculant from a previous experiment because it promoted plant growth in that experiment. To evaluate the effects of the plants, native microorganisms, and microbial inoculants, we assessed several indicators related to soil elemental cycling and integrated them into the soil multifunctionality index. The addition of the microbial inoculant and sterilizing treatment had a significant impact on alfalfa growth. When exposed to microbial inoculant treatments, the plant and sterilization treatments displayed radically different functional characteristics, where most of the unsterilized plant treatment indices were higher than those of the others. The addition of microbial inoculant significantly increased soil multifunctionality in plant treatments, particularly in the unsterilized plant treatment, where the increase in soil multifunctionality was 260%. The effect size result shows that the positive effect of microbial inoculant on soil multifunctionality and unsterilized plant treatment had the most significant promotion effect. Plant and native microorganisms amplify the positive effects of microbial inoculant.
Saline–alkali soils exhibit ionic toxicities associated with neutral salinity, as well as a high pH that hinders the exclusion of sodium ions and absorption of vital nutrients; thus, obstructing the ...development of coastal shelterbelts. A three-year field experiment using a high-soil-pH site was conducted for this study to investigate the influences of five prospective amendments on the soil microenvironments of different soil layers compared to a control. Firstly, the bacterial phyla Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteria were found to be the most predominant in the samples. As for the fungi phylum, Ascomycota was identified as the most abundant. Similar to Module 1’s findings, the relative abundances of Ascomycota varied across treatments. Additionally, differences in the ACE index were primarily observed in the deeper soil layers, where all five soil amendments increased the bacterial ACE index compared to the CK (no additive). Only the BA (biochar mixed with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi) and AM (arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on its own) treatments significantly increased the fungal ACE index. In the 20–40 cm soil layer, the pH value of the control group was significantly higher than that of all other treatments, except for the AM treatment. However, the AM treatment induced significantly higher soil enzyme activities and available nutrients compared to the CK. Moreover, the Mantel test showed significant correlations between the Module 1 community, the generalist (microbial species that serve as module hubs and connectors, primarily for Acidobacteria) community and soil pH, electrical conductivity, enzyme activities, as well as bacterial and fungal ACE indices. Pearson’s correlation revealed a significantly positive association between enzyme activities and available nutrients. Our findings suggested that keystone microbial species have the potential to improve the availability of soil nutrients through the regulation of microbial diversity and stimulation of soil enzyme activities, to ultimately ameliorate saline–alkali soil. Furthermore, the application of AM in combination with an appropriate amount of biochar is a preferred strategy for the improvement of saline–alkali soils.
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