Exploring the spatio-temporal patterns of global mangrove gross primary production and quantifying the factors affecting its estimation, 1996-2020

Mangrove ecosystems, as an important component of "Blue Carbon", play a curial role on global carbon cycling; however, the lack of the global estimates of mangrove ecosystem gross primary production (GPP) and the underlying environmental controls on its estimation remain a gap in knowledge. In this study, we utilized global mangrove eddy covariance data and applied Gaussian Process Regression (GPR) to estimate GPP for global mangrove ecosystems, aiming to elucidate the factors influencing these estimates. The optimal GPR achieved favorable estimation performance through cross-validation (R2 = 0.90, RMSE = 0.92 gC/m2/day, WI = 0.86). Over the study period, the globally annual averaged GPP was 2054.53 ± 38.51 gC/m2/yr (comparable to that of evergreen broadleaf forests and exceeds the GPP of most other plant function types), amounting to a total of 304.82 ± 7.71TgC/yr, hotspots exceeding 3000 gC/m2/yr observed near the equator. The analysis revealed a decline in global mangrove GPP during 1996-2020 of -0.89 TgC/yr. Human activities (changes in mangrove cover area) played a relatively consistent role in contributing to this decrease. Conversely, variations in external environmental conditions showed distinct inter-annual differences in their impact. The spatio-temporal distribution patterns of mangrove ecosystems GPP (e.g., the bimodal annual pattern, latitudinal gradients, etc.) demonstrated the regulatory influence of external environmental conditions on GPP estimates. The model ensemble attribution analysis indicated that the fraction of absorbed photosynthetically active radiation exerted the dominant control on GPP estimations, while temperature, salinity, and humidity acted as secondary constraints. The findings of this study provide valuable insights for monitoring, modeling, and managing mangrove ecosystems GPP; and underscore the critical role of mangroves in global carbon sequestration. By quantifying the influences of environmental factors, we enhance our understanding of mangrove carbon cycling estimates, thereby helping sustain of these disproportionately productive ecosystems.

Irrigation Scheduling for Maize under Different Hydrological Years in Heilongjiang Province, China

Appropriate irrigation schedules could minimize the existing imbalance between agricultural water supply and crop water requirements (ET_c), which is severely impacted by climate change. In this study, different hydrological years (a wet year, normal year, dry year, and an extremely dry year) in Heilongjiang Province were calculated by hydrological frequency methods. Then, the single crop coefficient method was used to calculate the maize ET_c, based on the daily meteorological data of 26 meteorological stations in Heilongjiang Province from 1960 to 2020. Afterward, the CROPWAT model was used to calculate the effective precipitation (P_e) and irrigation water requirement (Ir), and formulate the irrigation schedules of maize in Heilongjiang Province under different hydrological years. The results showed that ET_c and Ir decreased first and then increased from west to east. The P_e and crop water surplus deficit index increased first and then decreased from west to east in Heilongjiang Province. Meanwhile, the average values of the Ir in were 171.14 mm, 232.79 mm, 279.08 mm, and 334.47 mm in the wet year, normal year, dry year, and extremely dry year, respectively. Heilongjiang Province was divided into four irrigation zones according to the Ir of different hydrological years. Last, the irrigation quotas for the wet year, normal year, dry year, and extremely dry year were 0~180 mm, 20~240 mm, 60~300 mm, and 80~430 mm, respectively. This study provides reliable support for maize irrigation practices in Heilongjiang Province, China.

Characterizing Spatiotemporal Dynamics of CH₄ Fluxes from Rice Paddies of Cold Region in Heilongjiang Province under Climate Change

Paddy fields have become a major global anthropogenic CH₄ emission source, and climate change affects CH₄ emissions from paddy ecosystems by changing crop growth and the soil environment. It has been recognized that Heilongjiang Province has become an important source of CH₄ emission due to its dramatically increased rice planting area, while less attention has been paid to characterize the effects of climate change on the spatiotemporal dynamics of CH₄ fluxes. In this study, we used the calibrated and validated Long Ashton Research Station Weather Generator (LARS-WG) model and DeNitrification-DeComposition (DNDC) model to simulate historical and future CH₄ fluxes under RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 of four global climate models (GCMs) in Heilongjiang Province. During 1960–2015, the average CH₄ fluxes and climatic tendencies were 145.56 kg C/ha and 11.88 kg C/ha/(10a), respectively. Spatially, the CH₄ fluxes showed a decreasing trend from west to east, and the climatic tendencies in the northern and western parts were higher. During 2021–2080, the annual average CH₄ fluxes under RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 were predicted to be 213.46 kg C/ha and 252.19 kg C/ha, respectively, and their spatial distributions were similar to the historical distribution. The average climatic tendencies were 13.40 kg C/ha/(10a) and 29.86 kg C/ha/(10a), respectively, which decreased from west to east. The simulation scenario analysis showed that atmospheric CO₂ concentration and temperature affected CH₄ fluxes by changing soil organic carbon (SOC) content and plant biomass. This study indicated that a paddy ecosystem in a cold region is an important part of China’s greenhouse gas emission inventory in future scenarios.

Phospho-ibuprofen (MDC-917) incorporated in nanocarriers: anti-cancer activity in vitro and in vivo

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Phospho-ibuprofen (P-I; MDC-917) inhibits the growth of colon cancer in mice. Here, we investigated the use of nanocarriers to improve its pharmacokinetics (PKs) and anti tumour efficacy.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

The cellular uptake and cytotoxicity of P-I encapsulated into liposomes and micelles, and its in vitro metabolic stability, were determined in cultures of human colon adenocarcinoma cells. The performance of liposomal P-I was further evaluated in PK studies in mice, and in a model of colon cancer xenografts in nude mice.

KEY RESULTS

Liposomal P-I and micellar P-I showed significantly enhanced cellular uptake in the colon cancer cells. Liposomal P-I also demonstrated increased cytotoxicity in vitro. Free P-I was metabolized rapidly to ibuprofen in the presence of purified esterases. In contrast, liposomal P-I, and to a lesser extent micellar P-I, was resistant to esterase-mediated hydrolysis. In mice, liposomal P-I partially protected P-I from hydrolysis in the circulation, and improved the biodistribution of intact P-I and its metabolites compared to free P-I. Liposomal P-I was more effective at inhibiting the growth of human colon cancer xenografts in mice, which may be explained on the basis of its improved PK profile compared to free P-I.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Liposome encapsulation of P-I partially protected P-I from esterase-mediated hydrolysis in mice, enhanced the cytotoxicity and bioavailability of P-I and increased its efficacy at inhibiting the growth of human colon cancer xenografts. These results indicate that liposomes are suitable nanocarriers for the delivery of P-I, and that the anti-tumour potential of liposomal P-I merits further evaluation.

The metabolism and pharmacokinetics of phospho-sulindac (OXT-328) and the effect of difluoromethylornithine

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Phospho-sulindac (PS; OXT-328) prevents colon cancer in mice, especially when combined with difluoromethylornithine (DFMO). Here, we explored its metabolism and pharmacokinetics.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

PS metabolism was studied in cultured cells, liver microsomes and cytosol, intestinal microsomes and in mice. Pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of PS were studied in mice.

KEY RESULTS

PS undergoes reduction and oxidation yielding PS sulphide and PS sulphone; is hydrolysed releasing sulindac, which generates sulindac sulphide (SSide) and sulindac sulphone (SSone), all of which are glucuronidated. Liver and intestinal microsomes metabolized PS extensively but cultured cells converted only 10% of it to PS sulphide and PS sulphone. In mice, oral PS is rapidly absorbed, metabolized and distributed to the blood and other tissues. PS survives only partially intact in blood; of its three major metabolites (sulindac, SSide and SSone), sulindac has the highest C(max) and SSone the highest t(1/2) ; their AUC(0-24h) are similar. Compared with conventional sulindac, PS generated more SSone but less SSide, which may contribute to the safety of PS. In the gastroduodenal wall of mice, 71% of PS was intact; sulindac, SSide and SSone together accounted for <30% of the total. This finding may explain the lack of gastrointestinal toxicity by PS. DFMO had no effect on PS metabolism but significantly reduced drug level in mouse plasma and other tissues.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Our findings establish the metabolism of PS define its pharmacokinetics and biodistribution, describe its interactions with DFMO and largely explain its gastrointestinal safety.

Fear conditioning in inbred mouse strains: an analysis of the time course of memory

Three mouse strains were examined for short- and long-term memory for Pavlovian fear conditioning measured 1 hr and 24 hr after conditioning. Both DBA/2J and CBA/J mice exhibit reduced long-term memory for contextual fear conditioning compared with C57BL/6J mice. In cued fear conditioning, however, DBA/2J mice show reduced short- and long-term memory compared with C57BL/6J mice, whereas CBA/J mice exhibit reductions only in short-term memory. These results underscore the importance of examining the time course of memory retention, and they suggest that inbred mouse strains may provide a diversity of phenotypes. The results also suggest that the processes of short- and long-term memory storage as well as contextual and cued fear conditioning are dissociable and are mediated by genetically distinct neurobiological mechanisms.

Fear conditioning in inbred mouse strains: an analysis of the time course of memory

Three mouse strains were examined for short- and long-term memory for Pavlovian fear conditioning measured 1 hr and 24 hr after conditioning. Both DBA/2J and CBA/J mice exhibit reduced long-term memory for contextual fear conditioning compared with C57BL/6J mice. In cued fear conditioning, however, DBA/2J mice show reduced short- and long-term memory compared with C57BL/6J mice, whereas CBA/J mice exhibit reductions only in short-term memory. These results underscore the importance of examining the time course of memory retention, and they suggest that inbred mouse strains may provide a diversity of phenotypes. The results also suggest that the processes of short- and long-term memory storage as well as contextual and cued fear conditioning are dissociable and are mediated by genetically distinct neurobiological mechanisms.