As part of ecological monitoring, the managers of the Nazinga Classified Forest and Game Ranch, the Management Unit, regularly carry out measurements on the carcasses of animals killed during sport hunting during the wildlife exploitation campaign. The measurements taken from 2009 to 2018 on the defassa waterbuck carcasses were examined in order to assess the quality of the hunting trophies and its impact on the dynamics of the species population. Data collected on the measurements of the trophies at the ranch slaughterhouse and the results of the various wildlife foot inventories served as a basis for the analyses. The results of the analyses show that the defassa waterbucks killed are old males with trophies that meet the standards, although their size decreases from year to year. This rejuvenation of the population creates a flattening of the age pyramid. Successful sport hunting combined with other factors such as habitat degradation and poaching could lead to a decline in the population size of the defassa waterbuck. Keywords : Sport hunting ; Trophies ; Nazinga ; Defassa waterbuck ; Rejuvenation

Objective: To understand the specific contents of supportive care (SC) preferred by patients with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) and their satisfaction level with what they have experienced. Design: A Prospective Survey Study Setting and Population: Patients with RPL who visited the outpatient clinics located at two hospitals in Hiroshima and Okayama, Japan from June to September 2019. Method: Awareness of SC, preferences, experience, and the level of satisfaction regarding 26 SC options, the number of doctors consulted and the frequency of ultrasound examinations were assessed. Main Outcome Measures: Self-reported experience of care around the time of pregnancy loss. Results: Responses from 142 participants were analyzed, and less than 10.0% of them were aware of SC. Patients with RPL preferred their partners (99.3%) and mothers (44.8%) as their primary sources of support. The majority preferred to consult with one doctor (43%) and have a weekly ultrasound examination (54.9%). Doctors (85.9%) and nurses (82.4%) were the preferred medical staff. Six categories of supportive care were identified, with preference rates of 60.0% or higher, but the experience rates were 47.0% or lower. Conclusion: The study emphasizes the importance of tailor-made care, addressing the specific needs and desires of each patient rather than providing routine care specifically in the early stages of their subsequent pregnancies.

The availability of public metaproteomics, metagenomics and metatranscriptomics data in public resources such as MGnify (for metagenomics/metatranscriptomics) and the PRIDE database (for metaproteomics), continues to increase. When these omics techniques are applied to the same samples, their integration offers new opportunities to understand the structure (metagenome) and functional expression (metatranscriptome and metaproteome) of the microbiome. Here, we describe a pilot study aimed at integrating public multi-meta-omics datasets from studies based on human gut and marine hatchery samples. Reference search databases (search DBs) were built using assembled metagenomic (and metatranscriptomic, where available) sequence data followed by de novo gene calling, using both data from the same sampling event and from independent samples. The resulting protein sets were evaluated for their utility in metaproteomics analysis. In agreement with previous studies, the highest number of peptide identifications was generally obtained when using search DBs created from the same samples. Data integration of the multi-omics results was performed in MGnify. For that purpose, the MGnify website was extended to enable the visualisation of the resulting peptide/protein information from three reanalysed metaproteomics datasets. A workflow (https://github.com/PRIDE-reanalysis/MetaPUF) has been developed allowing researchers to perform equivalent data integration, using paired multi-omics datasets. This is the first time that a data integration approach for multi-omics datasets has been implemented from public data available in the world-leading MGnify and PRIDE databases.

Seizure prediction is a critical challenge in healthcare, with significant implications for improving the quality of life of patients with epilepsy. Traditional methods often assume a fixed preictal period, typically 30 minutes, which may not adequately capture patient-specific and channel-specific variations. In this paper, we propose a novel approach to modeling preictal durations as probabilistic distributions and detecting change points in EEG time series using autoencoders. By leveraging the CHB-MIT Scalp EEG Database, we investigate preictal dynamics across multiple channels and evaluate the effectiveness of our method in identifying individualized preictal periods. Our approach segments EEG signals into fixed-size windows and trains autoencoders to detect deviations in reconstruction errors, which serve as indicators of change points. This framework captures complex temporal patterns, ensuring sensitivity to both abrupt and gradual transitions. Numerical experiments demonstrate that the assumed 30-minute preictal period exhibits significant variance, underscoring the necessity of adaptive modeling techniques. Analysis across 17 EEG channels highlights substantial variability in preictal durations, revealing the need for channel-specific detection strategies. Furthermore, we identify channels with higher rates of unpredicted events and propose weighting strategies to optimize model performance. The proposed method achieves stationary time series for preictal periods and aligns predicted preictal start times with observable transitions in EEG signals. Our findings emphasize the importance of personalized seizure prediction models that account for variability across patients and channels. By advancing the understanding of preictal dynamics and offering a robust change point detection framework, this study contributes to the development of reliable and scalable seizure prediction systems for diverse clinical applications.

The ongoing biodiversity crisis calls for a complete biodiversity inventory of marine and terrestrial ecosystems. The task is particularly challenging for fragmented island territories, where baseline biodiversity information is often difficult to procure. By centralising information from different sources (museums, research institutions, citizen scientists), ‘big-data’ platforms provide an opportunity to evaluate species biodiversity information of understudied regions. Using data from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), we curated the first biogeographic dataset for both marine and terrestrial animal species in French Polynesia, a large territory composed of 124 islands and atolls that belongs to the Central Pacific region, a marine biodiversity hotspot facing conservation challenges. The dataset revealed heterogeneous species richness across archipelagos and islands, prompting an investigation into potential sampling biases (institutional, taxonomic, spatial) as well as an assessment of island-specific accessibility biases. We estimated that the archipelagos and islands had an inventory completeness rate that ranges from 12 to 85%, suggesting that a large proportion of the studied area remains poorly documented. Spatial and temporal sampling biases were partly explained by accessibility constraints (proximity to airports, roads or ports), and inventory completeness was higher for marine than terrestrial species. The biases quantified here challenge our ability to conduct biogeographic analyses that integrate the land-sea meta-ecosystem. Our database allows identifying taxa and sampling locations that require urgent attention, as well as comprehensively recorded species that can serve as indicators for environmental degradation. Explicitly acknowledging the inherent biases of biodiversity datasets is the first step towards a more comprehensive characterization of species diversity across fragmented territories. This information is crucial for guiding sound adaptive-management and conservation planning strategies.

Mini commentary on ‘Pre-existing and gestational diabetes and risk of maternal venous thromboembolism: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies’

Temperature and water are critical drivers of alpine plant communities. However, uncertainties persist regarding their combined effects, particular in alpine watersheds experiencing rapid changes in temperature and hydrological process over the past decades. In this study, we investigated how hydrological conditions mediate alpine plant communities’ response to temperature changes at the watershed scale. Our study showed that in water-deficient grasslands, an unimodal response of species richness (p < 0.05) and a linear decrease in coverage (p < 0.001), but non-significant changes in productivity (p > 0.05) were revealed with increasing temperature. These asynchronized changes in coverage and productivity are ascribed to plant adaptation to water stress. Plant communities shifted from low and dense cushions to taller and sparser vegetations, while dominant species changed from small and shallow-rooted species (Kobresia pygmaea) to large and deep-rooted (Potentilla bifurca) ones. In contrast, riverine wetlands showed no significant changes (p > 0.05) in community structure or productivity, likely due to their high hydrological connectivity that promoted propagule dispersal and soil environment homogenisation. Moreover, temperature and its mediated soil properties strongly influenced plant community structure in grasslands and transitional zones (R2 = 0.69 and 0.73 in Structural Equation Modeling, respectively) but not in wetlands (R2 = 0.25 in Structural Equation Modeling). This also indicates the prevailing of homogenization of habitat and species pool via strong hydrological dispersal in wetland community assembly. Overall, this study highlights that complex temperature-water interactions shape alpine plant communities at the watershed scale, which is unlikely to be understood from site-scale warming experiments focusing on a single vegetation. Future studies in these mountainous areas should consider the spatial heterogeneity induced by their complex vegetation types and hydrological conditions, while understanding the effects of intensifying stochastic processes on alpine ecosystems experiencing drastic hydrological changes.

Objective: To identify which risk communication graphics are easiest to understand when communicating risks surrounding birth; and investigate the effect of numeracy and health literacy on understanding. Design: Online survey with randomised content Setting: UK Population: Women and their partners, healthcare professionals and stakeholders in the UK. Methods: Seven candidate graphics (’10-person’, ‘100-person’, ’10-circle’, ‘100-circle’ icon arrays, ‘bar charts’, ‘pie charts’ and ‘words’) were co-produced with a patient and public involvement group. These were used to develop seven online surveys. Participants were recruited using social media and adverts in participating hospitals. Each participant was randomised to see one of seven surveys, the survey questions remained the same, the graphics varied. Data were collected on risk perception, perceived ease of understanding and preference, alongside demographic factors, numeracy skills and health literacy. Main outcome measures: Objective comprehension and subjective preference for graphics. Results: There were 858 participants, 771 women/partners/parents and 87 healthcare professionals and stakeholders. 70% of participants answered all four numeracy questions correctly, and respondents reported high health literacy (76.5% can understand health material, 72.8% were comfortable completing medical forms). All graphics were understood; however, the ‘100-person’ icon array elicited the best score when comparing two risks (mean score 97.5% compared to next best performing graphic 95.8%), 41% believed it was the easiest to understand and 36% selected it as the preferred graphic. Conclusions: All graphics are well understood. The ‘100-person’ icon array scored best in terms of risk comparison and participant preference. Using this graphic may support high-quality communication of risk in maternity care.

The increasing demand for efficient and sustainable agricultural practices has necessitated the development of advanced mechanized solutions for orchard and field crop management. This study focuses on the design, structural analysis and development of Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) and Remote Operated Sprayer (ROS) unit and evaluation of a Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) for addressing the challenges of precision spraying in orchard crop applications. The ROOS features, an innovative wheel arrangement and suspension system, optimized for manoeuvrability and adaptability in diverse field conditions. The power required to operate the ROOS was 1.48 kW. Structural analysis performed using ANSYS software verified the frame’s reliability, with principal stress, von Mises stress, and deformation values well within safe limits. Performance evaluations revealed a minimum path deviation of 29 mm at a 25 kg payload and 3.5 km/h speed and a maximum deviation of 90 mm at a 150 kg payload and 5 km/h. Battery discharge and wheel slip were minimal under lower payloads and speeds, with values of 0.87% and 4.15%, respectively. The study highlights the ROOS potential as an efficient and adaptable mechanized sprayer for orchard crops. The outcomes underline the ROOS capability to contribute to sustainable agricultural practices by improving spraying efficiency and reducing resource wastage.

Behavioral responses of prey to predation risk have ecological impacts that can be as great as the direct mortality. Theory often suggests that prey pair responses to risks based on the hunting mode of the predator (hunting mode hypothesis), but prey may ignore hunting mode to prioritize responding to the most lethal predators (lethality hypothesis). To test these hypotheses, we evaluated the behavioral responses of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) to risks from two natural mesopredators and human sources of mortality. Specifically, we determined, for each source of risk, whether deer responded with behavioral state changes or spatial avoidance and whether this behavior changed with time (diurnally and annually). We collared and tracked 40 female and 29 male deer. To determine the response of deer to risk, we collected data on the distribution of coyotes (Canis latrans), bobcats (Lynx rufus), human modification, hunters, and roads. We used hidden Markov models (HMM) to determine whether each covariate impacted the probability of transitioning between behavioral states and selection functions (SSF) to determine whether deer spatially avoided each covariate.Generally, deer changed behavioral state in response to both mesopredators but avoided human modification. In response to mesopredators, deer consistently shifted to slower movement behavioral states. Spatial responses to human modification varied depending on the time of day. During daylight hours, deer selected for human modification, but during the crepuscular and nighttime period, deer avoided human modification. Space use was most strongly related to more lethal humans, providing support for the lethality hypothesis. Despite prioritizing humans, mesopredators impacted behavioral state, suggesting that mesopredators still have important impacts on prey behavior. Finally, temporal patterns of avoidance align with other studies that indicate avoidance of predators is time-dependent, but further highlight the complex push-pull relationship of human modified areas on wildlife.

1. Tibetan sheep (Ovis aries) and plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae) excrements are important organic materials that influence soil carbon cycling in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. However, their exact priming effects (PE) on soil and mechanisms of influence in alpine meadows are subject to their health status. 2. To fill this knowledge gap, we carried out a 45-day incubation experiment using alpine meadow soils with differing degrees of degradation that had been enriched with these two types of excrement. Soil PE was assessed via the natural abundance method, while soil microbial communities and their compositions were examined through high-throughput sequencing. 3. The findings indicated that severely degraded soils are more susceptible to soil PEs than non-degraded soils (p < 0.05). Both types of excrement supplements modified the structure and composition of the soil microbial communities. Specifically, heavily degraded meadow soils displayed a significantly higher MBC:MBN ratio, reduced soil bacterial α-diversity, and notable shifts in the composition and β-diversity than the intact meadow soil. 4. Both excrement supplements demonstrated a direct negative correlation (r = -0.94) with key soil microbial taxa, namely Actinobacteriota (r = 0.21), Proteobacteria (r = 0.29) and Chloroflexi (r = 0.22), and showed direct positive correlations. The soil C:N ratio positively impacted Proteobacteria (r = 0.39), whereas the soil NO3–N:NH4+-N ratio negatively affected Actinobacteriota (r = -0.18), thereby influencing soil PE. Therefore, alpine meadow degradation indirectly modulated soil PE by altering key microbial taxa such as Actinobacteriota (r = 0.70), Proteobacteria (r = -0.52), and the soil C:N ratio (r = -0.26).

Open forest ecosystems are considered one of the most imperiled ecosystems in North America and many associated avian species are experiencing population declines. Management at large and impactful scales is challenging on private lands due to fragmentation and resource limitations, but public lands are often larger in scale and offer opportunities for landscape level conservation of species of conservation concern. Northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus; bobwhite) is a popular but declining game bird which is often considered an umbrella and indicator species for savanna ecosystems. To evaluate the effects of tree canopy cover and prescribed fire frequency (1 Jan 2010 – 15 May 2024) on bobwhite occupancy we surveyed 144 sites 11 times during 15 May – 17 June 2024 using acoustic recording units on the Sabine and Angelina National Forests of Texas. Probability of bobwhite occupancy decreased as canopy cover increased (βTree = -0.74, 95% CrI: -1.29 – -0.28); occupancy was over 19 times higher when canopy cover was 44% versus the mean observed value of 80.8% (range: 38–96%). Despite a well-established positive relationship of bobwhite and prescribed fire based on previous research, we found tree canopy obfuscated any effects of fire frequency on bobwhite occupancy (βFire = -0.09, 95% CrI: -0.57 – 0.43). Only 2 of 144 sites were characterized by low-moderate canopy cover (<50%) with a moderate fire frequency (burned 5 and 7 times since 2010). Our results underscore the importance of forest thinning in addition to prescribed fire for managing species which require savanna conditions.

Urban expansion is a major driver of habitat fragmentation, shrinking wildlife habitat, and restricting wildlife movements and activity patterns. In this novel environment, species also must adapt to the new composition of wildlife communities. For example, red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) are commonly found in urban environments, while their potential predators have also managed to accommodate and even thrive in cities. Consequently, studying species interactions in an urban landscape provides crucial insights into our understanding of species’ plasticity and behavioural adjustments to novel situations. This study aims to understand the potentially novel predator-prey interactions in private gardens of Berlin, specifically between red squirrels and red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), raccoons (Procyon lotor), martens (Martes sp.), and cats (Felis catus). We used a raster of 200 camera traps per season, in total 575, located in private gardens of citizens of Berlin, which detected the species during four sampling seasons between 2019 and 2020. We first applied single occupancy models for each species separately to understand the variation in the detection and occupancy of each species at given environmental variables. We then assessed the co-occurrence of squirrels with the meso-carnivores by applying a multi-species occupancy model. We found that squirrels were more likely to occur during autumn than in spring and at a higher percentage of local tree cover, which has been confirmed by previous studies. Additionally, results suggested that squirrels are more likely to occur when cats were absent, suggesting an avoidance of the latter. However, squirrels did not display clear patterns of negative or positive co-occurrence with other wild meso-carnivores. These results demonstrate the complexity of species interactions in urban settings.

Background: Liver cancer is positioned third with regard to mortality related to cancer and is the sixth most frequently occuring cancer which is diagnosed worldwide. HCC being the predominant type has a dismal 8.37% survival rate of 5-year because of limited effective treatment options and high metastatic potential. The current treatment strategies which include surgical resection, liver ablation and transplantation are challenged by significant limitations and complications. HCC progression is closely linked to the Tumor-Suppressor Genes (TSGs) inactivation through mutations and abnormal promoter methylation, leading to genomic instability and uncontrolled cell proliferation. Epigenetic modifications, particularly DNA methylation, are crucial in the onset and progression of HCC. Phytochemicals, natural bioactive compounds from plants having anti-angiogenic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory functions shown potential in regulating HCC metastasis. They target key molecular markers involved in cancer proliferation, migration and invasion, offering a promising therapeutic approach. Recent Findings: Epigenetic modifications such as DNA hypermethylation significantly contribute the progression of HCC by silencing critical TSGs involved in DNA repair, apoptosis and angiogenesis. Prominent hypermethylated TSGs include p73, ZNF382 and RASSF1A. Viral infections, particularly HBV and HCV, exacerbate the epigenetic disruptions, driving oncogenesis through pathways like PI3K/AKT, Wnt/β-catenin and YAP-Hippo signalling. Recent studies highlight the efficacy of phytochemicals in reversing these epigenetic alterations. For example, resveratrol targets the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and enhances apoptosis by regulating antioxidant enzymes. Similarly, Sulforaphane inhibits angiogenesis and suppresses epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), therby reducing tumor invasion and metastasis. Despite promisisng in vitro and in vivo results, challenges such as low bioavailability and the need for clinical validation persists. Conclusion: Phytochemicals hold significant promise as epigenetic modulators in HCC management, offering a complementary approach to existing therapies with potentially fewer side effects. Future reserach should focus on enhancing their bioavailability, comprehending their in vivo processes and carrying out clinical trials to confirm their effectiveness.

Understanding the conservation status of species is imperative to stem global declines. To better inform conservation, we summarize the global conservation status of New World (Family Odontophoridae) and Old World (Family Phasianidae) true quail species. We used data from the 2021 International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species and IUCN list of threatened categories to conduct our research. We summarized information from the Red List relative to general habitat use, native geographic region, extent/quality of habitat, primary and secondary threats to the population, and reported population trends. We also conducted a literature review for species/genus/families of true quails across a 20-year (2000–2020) timescale to summarize available information. Native ranges for the 47 species of quail include 21 in South America, 14 in North America, nine in Asia, three in Australia, and two in Africa. The common quail (Coturnix coturnix) is migratory and occurs in Africa, Asia, and Europe. According to the 2021 IUCN assessment, 34 (72.3%) species were identified as Least Concern, one (2.1%; Manipur bush quail [Perdicula manipurensis]) was Endangered, and one (2.1%; New Zealand quail [Coturnix novaezelandiae]) is Extinct. Five species each (21.3% total) were recognized as Vulnerable or Near Threatened, and one (2.1%; Himalayan quail [Ophrysia superciliosa]) was Critically Endangered. The quality and quantity of habitats are declining for 11 (23.4%) true quail, with IUCN noting habitat quality and quantity as “unknown” for the remaining 36 (76.6%) species. Threats to most populations are unknown, but intensive agricultural and biological resource use affected half of true quail species. Coturnix and Cytonyx were the most extensively studied genera, composing 47.6–49.2% and 34.0–36.8% of studies within half decades from 2000–2020, respectively. Our review revealed the need for more attention to true quail from researchers and practitioners alike.

Man-made structures, and habitat changes they impose, affect how fish are able to move up and downstream, between the channel and floodplain, and from habitats with unfavorable abiotic conditions to those that promote survival and reproductive output. Here we show that unidirectional stream-flow and dams affect patterns of effective population size (Ne) and genetic diversity in Rio Grande silvery minnow; a species with buoyant eggs that drift with river flow. We used archived DNA from 25 annual collections and targeted amplicon sequencing to test several predictions including that Ne and genetic diversity would be reduced upstream and increase in downstream reaches, and that augmentation and upstream stocking would disrupt these patterns. We found that Ne is reduced in the upstream-most reach and that there is a strong correlation between Ne in this reach and range-wide Ne suggesting that processes that act to reduce Ne and genetic diversity upstream, have a disproportionate impact on the population as a whole. In the absence of population augmentation, allelic diversity was reduced upstream and stocking with captive reared fishes in this reach restored diversity while other reach-specific patterns persisted despite augmentation. Up- to downstream trends in diversity and Ne imply that there is no longer sufficient spawning and retention in the natal reach to maintain large Ne and diversity is eroded through genetic drift. Movement of juveniles and adults and ongoing stocking may be insufficient to replenish depleted populations, maintain large Ne and genetic diversity. These results underscore a need for fish passage and habitat restoration promoting egg/larval retention.

IntroductionClozapine is an antipsychotic which always used in treatment-resistant schizophrenia and can reduce suicide rate[1]. It is associated with severe cardiac complications including myocarditis and cardiomyopathy in psychotic patients[2]. Left ventricular myocardial insufficiency cardiomyopathy (LVNC) has been reported in patients with long-term use of clozapine, but it was rare in the right ventricle. [3]. Given the current increase in the prescription of clozapine, it seems important to know better adverse effects during pregnancy and lactation as well as its risk profile for neonatal outcome. Clozapine can cross the placental barrier, decreased fetal heart rate variability and absence of accelerations have been found in previous cases[4,5,6]. However, neonatal RVNC induced by clozapine during pregnancy and lactation has never been reported before. The case we report may increase the safety data of clozapine.

Title:

Fences are increasingly used globally as a management tool in conservation to reduce wildlife depredations, disease transmission, and wildlife mortality. There are a limited number of studies on the genetic effects of perimeter fencing of protected areas on megaherbivores. Using population genetic analyses on 226 sequences of a 400 bp fragment of the mtDNA Dloop from 10 East African buffalo populations (3 fenced and 7 unfenced), the influence of spatial isolation and fencing on buffalo population genetic diversity and genetic differentiation were examined. Mean gene diversity between fenced and unfenced buffalo populations was not different (fenced: 0.978 ± 0.003, unfenced: 0.973 ± 0.004, P = 0.300) but nucleotide diversity was higher in fenced than unfenced populations (fenced: 0.038 ± 0.019, unfenced: 0.030 ± 0.015, P = 0.005). Genetic differentiation among buffalo populations based on haplotype frequencies and model-based genetic distance was weak (FST = 0.08, ΦST = 0.06) and contributed to 6.2% and 8.5% of total genetic variance respectively. Ninety three percent of population pairs were genetically differentiated by distances determined from haplotype frequencies but only 51% of population pairs were differentiated using modelled distances suggesting recent differentiation. There was no correlation between linearized FST and geographical distance (r = -0.005, P = 0.52), but linearized ΦST was moderately correlated with geographic distance (r = 0.329, P = 0.03). The distance effect was greater when fenced populations were excluded (ΦST: r = 0.464, P = 0.05), suggesting that insularization due to fencing is distorting isolation by distance. SSD analyses revealed that 2 of 3 fenced populations and 2 of 7 unfenced populations had non-unimodal distributions suggesting demographically declining populations. Our study reveals the high genetic diversity but warn that genetic erosion due to isolation, including fencing, is only beginning to have an impact on East African buffalo populations.

Located at the edge of the Tibetan Plateau, the Qilian Mountains form a significant high-altitude permafrost region. Understanding the stratification characteristics of soil carbon and the response mechanisms under altitudinal variation provides important insights into the carbon pool dynamics across the Tibetan Plateau. Potentilla parvifolia is a shrub species widely distributed at moderate and high altitudes. Recently, with the intensification of global climate change, there have been signs of migration to the high latitudes. This migration affects the microbial community structure and has influence on the soil carbon pools and the carbon cycling processes of ecosystems. In the present study, the rhizosphere soil carbon components and microbial communities of P. parvifolia were evaluated along altitudinal gradients (3204, 3350, 3550, and 3650 m) in the Qilian Mountains. We found that P. parvifolia significantly increased the biomass of soil gram-positive bacteria and fungi at medium and low altitudes (3204, 3350, and 3550 m) (p < 0.05), and significantly increased the contribution of mineral-associated organic carbon (MAOC) to the soil organic carbon (SOC) content when compared to those in bare soil (p < 0.05). Furthermore, P. parvifolia mainly increased SOC content by increasing the contribution of microbial necromass carbon, especially fungal necromass carbon, to MAOC; however, there were no significant differences at high altitudes (3650 m) (p > 0.05). This research enhances our comprehension of the impact of plant migration on SOC and its microbial mechanisms and provides a basis for the development of bioprotection strategies for alpine ecosystem conservation.

Previous studies indicated that ectomycorrhizal (EM) hyphae can access non-host plant roots and inhibit their growth, with the underlying mechanisms remaining largely unexplored. This study established a tripartite co-culture system consisting of EM fungi supported Quercus mongolica and non-host plants Arabidopsis thaliana or Setaria italica. Plant growth, nutrient concentrations, transcriptome (mRNAs and miRNAs), microbial communities, and fatty acids were determined to comprehensively understand the effects of EM on non-host plants. The results showed that roots of non-host plants were colonized by EM hyphae of Scleroderma. EM hyphae colonization significantly inhibited non-host plant growth and decreased their leaf [N], but increased leaf [P] and leaf free fatty acid concentrations. A small amount of 15N was transferred from non-host to Q. mongolica leaves. Foliar N application alleviated EM hyphae inhibited non-host plant growth. EM hyphae colonization activated expression of genes associated with plant-pathogen interaction responses but suppressed those involved in photosynthesis in A. thaliana leaves. Our findings suggest that a growth-defense trade-off, in conjunction with a leaf N: P stoichiometric imbalance, explain the observed inhibition of non-host plant growth by EM hyphae. This study provides insights into ectomycorrhiza mediated host and non-host plants interaction, which is important for plant community establishment.

Soil moisture changes affect the dynamics of plant biomass and non-structural carbohydrates (NSC), and different species have different response strategies. In the alpine meadow of Dongda Mountain in Southeast Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, 5 quadrats were set up respectively along the soil moisture gradient and experimental materials were collected by total harvest method. The NSC concentration was determined by modified phenol concentrated sulfuric acid method. The relationships between the biomass, NSC and soil moisture content of two Carex species were analyzed by One-way ANOVA, Two-way ANOVA, principal component analysis and polynomial fitting. The results showed that the root biomass of C. alatauensis, stem biomass of C. parvula and leaf, above-ground, below-ground and total biomass of two species were significantly positively correlated with soil moisture content (R 2 = 0.17-0.68, P < 0.05). The NSC, soluble sugar (SS) and starch (ST) concentrations in roots and whole plant of C. parvula all increased significantly with the increase of soil moisture content (R 2 = 0.17-0.48, P < 0.05), while those in roots and whole plant of C. alatauensis showed peak and valley curve respectively (R 2 = 0.32-0.64, P < 0.05). The NSC and SS concentrations in stems and leaves of C. parvula showed unimodal curves respectively (R 2 = 0.68-0.88, P < 0.01), while those of C. alatauensis showed single valley curve patterns (R 2 = 0.28-0.75, P < 0.05). The dry matter (DM) allocation of NSC in leaves of both species was the lowest, and the DM NSC, DM SS and DM ST in organs and whole plant were significantly positively correlated with soil moisture content (R 2 = 0.18-0.64, P < 0.05), except those in roots and leaves of C. alatauensis. The SS concentration and DM ST in roots of C. parvula were the main contribution indexes to soil moisture changes, and the SS/ST in stems and leaves were increased with the decrease of soil moisture. The SS concentration and DM ST in leaves of C. alatauensis are the main contribution indexes to soil moisture changes, and the comprehensive control of DM NSC accumulation in stems and increased SS/ST in leaves was functioned to combat habitat drought.

Primary Parapharyngeal Space Tumors: Case SeriesJulide Kasaboglu 1, Tsvetomir Marinov2 , Milena Mitkova 1 , Spiridon Todorov 1 ,Julian Rangachev 11 Department of ENT, University Hospital “Queen Joanna” - ISUL, Medical University of Sofia2 Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, University Hospital “Queen Joanna” - ISUL, Medical University of Sofia.

Accidentally extruded calcium hydroxide into a cystic lesion associated with an adjusted tooth. A case report.