By using the Global Inventory Modeling and Mapping Studies (GIMMS) third-generation normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI3g) data, this paper explores the spatiotemporal variations in vegetation and their relationship with temperature and precipitation between 1982 and 2015 in the Inner Mongolia region of China. Based on yearly scale data, the vegetation changes in Inner Mongolia have experienced three stages from 1982 to 2015: the vegetation activity kept a continuous improvement from 1982–1999, then downward between 1999–2009, and upward from 2009 to 2015. On the whole, the general trend is increasing. Several areas even witnessed significant vegetation increases: in the east and south of Tongliao and Chifeng, north of Xing’anmeng, north and west of Hulunbir, and in the west of Inner Mongolia. Based on monthly scale data, one-year and half-year cycles exist in normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and temperature but only a one-year cycle in precipitation. Finally, based on the one-year cycle, the relationship between NDVI and climatic were studied; NDVI has a significant positive correlation with temperature and precipitation, and temperature has a greater effect in promoting vegetation growth than precipitation. Moreover, based on a half-year changing period, NDVI is only affected by temperature in the study region. Those findings can serve as a critical reference for grassland managers or policy makers to make informed decisions on grassland management.
Imbalanced T-helper (TH)1/Th2 response contributes significantly to asthma pathogenesis. Our study indicated that HMGB1 play an important role in the release of Th2-associated cytokines of asthma. However, the specific mechanism about HMGB1-induced imbalanced TH1/Th2 response is not known. In vivo, an OVA-induced asthma mouse model was set up and mice treated with anti-HMGB1 IgG. The mice treated with the anti-HMGB1 IgG ameliorated airway hyper-reactivity, disruption of Th1/Th2 balance and the upregulation of GRP75 induced by OVA. In vitro, the exposure of normal human bronchial epithelial cells to HMGB1 resulted in the upregulation of GRP75, proinflammatory cytokine production, enhanced ER-Mitochondrial Ca transfer, and enhancement of reactive oxygen species (ROS). While HMGB1-induced these changes were attenuated by GRP75 siRNA treatment. Sequentially, pretreatment with 2-APB, SKF960365 (SKF) and Ru360 which inhibit ER-Mitochondrial Ca transfer significantly lowered HMGB1-induced the generation of ROS and the release of Th2 cytokines in 16HBE cells. Meanwhile, N-acetylcysteine (NAC) significantly attenuated the HMGB1-mediated pro-inflammatory cytokines release. Therefore, these results indicate that GRP75-mediated ER-Mitochondrial Ca transfer may be an important contributor in imbalanced of Th1/Th2 balance of asthma. Moreover, HMGB1 specifically induces the release of Th2 cytokines through GRP75-mediated enhancement of ER-Mitochondrial Ca transfer and ROS increased.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.