a1_Chromolaena odorata is a widespread exotic weed in southern China and other regions of the world. To better understand its invasive strategies, we compared leaf pigment contents and gas-exchange traits of the invader with its two coexisting species (native Urena lobata and invasive Bidens pilosa) under combined conditions of irradiance (full, medium, and low) and nitrogen (full, medium, and low) supplies. The chlorophyll (Chl) a+b content of U. lobata was the highest and the Chl a/b ratio of C. odorata was the lowest among the three weed species. In most treatments, leaf pigment, light-saturated photosynthetic rate (P max), and light saturation point (LSP) of all the species increased, while their Chl a/b ratios decreased with the increasing nitrogen. The P max and LSP of U. lobata were greater than those of the coexisting weeds under full irradiance (FI), but significantly declined with the decreasing irradiance. The invasive weeds, especially C. odorata, showed lower P max and LSP under FI, but they showed slight decrease under low irradiance. Compared to U. lobata, C. odorata exhibited the lower light compensation point (LCP) in most treatments, higher LSP under low and medium irradiance, and lower dark respiration rate under FI. In addition, all the three species showed similar responses to different irradiance and nitrogen conditions, mean phenotypic plasticity index (MPPI) of most photosynthetic variables of the two invasive species was lower than that of U. lobata. These results suggested that C. odorata behaved as a facultative shadetolerant weed, being able to grow in moderately sheltered environments; the lower MPPI might be one of the important competitive strategies during its invasion. However, its invasion should be limited to some very shady habitats., a2_In the field, control should be mainly directed against populations growing in the open or nutrient-rich habitats, where its expansion speed could be much faster. Deep shade by intact canopies or luxuriant forests might be an effective barrier against its invasion., G. M. Quan, D. J. Mao, J. E. Zhang, J. F. Xie, H. Q. Xu, M. An., and Obsahuje seznam literatury
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of exposure to
30 daily whole body cryostimulation (WBC) on lipid metabolic
parameters and serum HSP-70 concentration. The study involved
45 volunteers, homogeneous in terms of diet and daily physical
activity. Blood samples were collected before and after the 10th,
the 20th, and the 30th session and one month after the
intervention. Total cholesterol, HDL, TG concentrations and
Apolipoprotein A-I, ApoB and HSP-70 protein levels were
determined in serum. Additionally, the LI (Lipid Index) and the
LDL level were calculated. During exposure, positive changes in
the lipid profile that included a decrease in the TCh, initiated
after the 20th WBC session with a simultaneous decrease in
TG and LDL levels, and an increase in the HDL concentration
were observed. These changes were accompanied by
a downward trend in the ApoB concentration and a decrease in
the ApoB:ApoA-I ratio after 30 sessions. The nature of these
changes persisted for a month after the exposure. The obtained
results indicate metabolic benefits that result from prolonged
exposure to cryogenic temperatures, confirming the postulate of
using WBC in the regulation of lipid metabolism and the
prevention of cardiovascular diseases.