Distribution Of Flora Research Articles

DESMIDS BIODIVERSITY IN FRESHWATER PONDS OF DISTRICT NAGAUR, WESTERN RAJASTHAN INDIA: A PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION

The present study was carried out to investigate the desmids biodiversity in traditional freshwater reservoirs of Nagaur district, Western Rajasthan, India. The samples were collected in January 2021 from the freshwater small ponds which harvests rainwater located in and around Nagaur city. These samples were analyzed by following the standard method prescribed by A.P.H.A for assessing the various physicochemical parameters such as pH, TDS, Fluoride, Nitrate, Chloride, total alkalinity, and total hardness to check drinking water quality and for ecological assessment. Furthermore desmids species-level identification and description have been done with the help of standard literatures and monographs. Results of physicochemical parameters indicate the deteriorating drinking water quality of all four sampling sites. In the present study total of 16 species belong to 5 genera i.e. Netrium, Closterium, Cosmerium, Staurastrum, and Eustrum of desmids have been recorded for the first time from the freshwater ponds located in or around the Nagaur city. The higher biodiversity of Closterium and Cosmarium species at Jhada talab confirm its significant relationship with high calcium and nutrient-rich water quality. While low biodiversity of desmids at remaining all village ponds indicates that high pH and oligotrophic quality decreases the desmids biodiversity. Results of this study might be helpful to assess the geographic distribution of desmids flora of Nagaur district and establish water quality of protected freshwater habitats as well as in updating the list of current species of desmids in this sub-region.

Time since first record and population density influence range sizes of non-native plants, but also of native plants, in a chronically overgrazed island

Background and aims − Humans are increasingly introducing species to new regions. It is necessary to understand the processes that drive the expansion of non-native species into these new habitats across multiple spatiotemporal scales.Material and methods − We studied the spatial distribution of the non-native flora (39 species) of Guadalupe Island (246 km2) in the Mexican Pacific. We analyzed how residence time (time since first report in historical sources, 1875–2004) and species attributes (population density, flowering phenology, and individual height) are related with range sizes of non-native plants. To test whether the residence time – range size relationship of non-native plants can result from other factors besides time since their arrival, we compared it to the residence time – range size relationship of native plants. Range sizes were obtained using herbarium data and a systematic field sampling of 110 transects (50 × 2 m) throughout the entire island. We used beta regression to analyze the relationship of range sizes with residence time and species attributes.Key results − Range sizes of non-natives showed a positive relationship with residence time, flower phenology, and notably with plant density, but not with individual height. However, similar relationships were found for native species, casting doubts on whether our results reflect the range expansion rates of non-native species. Conclusions − Our results suggest that the production of large numbers of propagules, both as a result of long reproductive periods and large population sizes, determines to a large extent the rates of range size expansion of non-native species. However, the relationship we found between time since discovery and range size may arise from sampling biases, biological processes, or – most likely – both. This highlights the need for new approaches that allow us to discern the relative contributions of bias and process in our study of non-native species expansion.

Notulae to the Italian native vascular flora: 11

In this contribution, new data concerning the distribution of native vascular flora in Italy are presented. It includes new records, confirmations, exclusions, and status changes to the Italian administrative regions. A new combination in the genus Pilosella is proposed. Nomenclatural and distribution updates, published elsewhere, and corrigenda are provided as Suppl. material 1.

Missing in the Middle: A Review of Equatorially Disjunct Marine Taxa

Disjunct distributions of flora and fauna have intrigued biogeographers for centuries and have been central to debates over the roles that dispersal and vicariance have in speciation and evolutionary biology. One of the most notable disjunct distributions is when a single species or closely related taxa are present in temperate or polar regions of both hemispheres, but absent near the equator. Generally referred to as an anti-tropical distribution, this pattern is prevalent in marine taxa, occurring across the Tree of Life from single-celled bacteria and radiolarians, to algae, many invertebrates, fishes and marine mammals. The abundance of different species that exhibit this distribution pattern has led to a large number of theories on how it is formed and maintained. Here, seven central hypotheses that recur throughout the literature regarding the mechanisms responsible for this pattern are described and discussed in light of both historic and contemporary data. Recent advances in paleoclimate modeling and phylogenetic approaches have revealed that three of these hypotheses lack support. However, these data also highlight that a single driver of anti-tropicality is unlikely and that multiple mechanisms are responsible for this observed distribution pattern. The importance of using a multifaceted approach in future studies that incorporates phylogenetic, physiological, life history and ecological data is discussed, as there is a gap in our knowledge regarding adult and larval behavior, as well as thermal tolerances of many anti-tropical species. While recent studies have helped reveal some commonalities between anti-tropical groups, only by using an integrative approach will we be able to more fully understand which mechanisms are most prevalent in driving this pattern across the oceans.

Distribution of Flora and Naturalized Plants in Gangjin Bay, Namhae-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do

Distribution of Flora and Naturalized Plants in Gangjin Bay, Namhae-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do

INVASIVE ALIEN SPECIES OF POTOHAR PLATEAU, NORTHERN PAKISTAN

The present research work is based on the identification of Invasive Alien Plant Species (IAPS) distributed in Potohar Plateau, which are threat to indigenous flora. To confirm the invasive and alien status of these species, we investigated the flora of Potohar plateau. The target population sampling method was used for the collection and listing of IAPS present in all districts of Potohar Region. Invasion status of IAPS was recorded from wastelands, roadsides, crop fields, banks of canals, mismanaged gardens and housing colonies. Our results revealed that Broussonetia papyrifera Vent., Cannabis sativa L., Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh., Lantana camara L., and Parthenium hysterophorus L. are highly invasive species. Whereas seventeen IAPS were found in naturalized, ten recently escaped from controlled cultivation, three were newly introduced while fifteen grown casually in the study area. The common life form of IAPS was herbs and are used for medicinal and ornamental purposes. These species have invaded maximum area to obstruct the distribution of native flora including medicinal and economically important plants, which are now found in patches. We tend to use eradication methods to control further replacement of indigenous vegetation. This study suggests that the Government of Pakistan should take possible steps to prevent natural habitat of local flora and make separate zones for IAPS. The present study will help the researchers and policymakers to control invasion and alien species.

Ginger-separated moxibustion for chronic fatigue syndrome and its effect on intestinal flora

To observe the effect of ginger-separated moxibustion on fatigue state and intestinal flora in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). A total of 62 patients with CFS were randomly divided into an observation group (31 cases, 3 cases dropped off) and a control group (31 cases, 2 cases dropped off). The patients in the control group were treated with normal diet and moderate exercise; on the basis of the control group, the patients in the observation group were treated with ginger-separated moxibustion at Zhongwan (CV 12), Shenque (CV 8) and Guanyuan (CV 4), 30 min each time, once every other day, three times a week. Both groups were intervened for 4 weeks. Before and after treatment, the fatigue scale-14 (FS-14) was used to observe the improvement of fatigue state, and 16S rRNA detection technology was used to detect the distribution of intestinal flora. Compared before treatment, the FS-14 score was reduced after treatment in the observation group (P<0.01), and the reduction in the observation group was larger than that in the control group (P<0.01). The relative abundance of intestinal flora was similar between the observation group and control group at the phylum and genus level before treatment. After treatment, there was no significant change of intestinal flora in the control group. However, the enterobacteriaceae, corynebacterium, erysipelothrix, actinomycetes were increased in the observation group (P<0.05), and actinomycetes, ruminococcus, lactarius had obvious flora advantages compared with the control group (P<0.05). The ginger-separated moxibustion could significantly improve the fatigue state in CFS patients, which may be related to the regulation of intestinal flora structure and the repair of intestinal barrier.

Breaking the misconception of a dry and lifeless semiarid region: the diversity and distribution of aquatic flora in wetlands of the Brazilian Northeast

The semiarid region of northeastern Brazil possesses a set of wetlands characterized by hydrographic basins with deficient drainage networks, a few large and permanent lotic systems and several permanent and temporary lagoons. Aquatic plants are widely distributed in these wetlands and the present study aims to determine if those of Ceará state have similar species compositions and differences in species richness. We hypothesized that lentic ecosystems would have more species and different growth forms of aquatic angiosperms than lotic ecosystems. A total of 1619 records of aquatic angiosperms in 43 wetland areas were analysed. The most representative families were Cyperaceae, Poaceae, Fabaceae, Alismataceae, Malvaceae, Nymphaeaceae and Pontederiaceae. Most of the species are helophytes and bottom-rooted emergent hydrophytes. Permanent lentic ecosystems had the highest number of exclusive species (27.85 %), followed by temporary lentic ecosystems (20.54 %). Contrary to our hypothesis, the different aquatic ecosystems were found to possess distinct species compositions and different proportions of growth forms, and all wetland types contributed to the macrophyte richness of the study area, although they differ in species richness. Therefore, conservation plans for the native aquatic macrophyte biota should include all wetland ecosystems in the semiarid state of Ceará.

Visualisation of landscape alterations with the proposed linear projects and their impacts on the ecology

Land-use transformations altering the ecosystem function have impacted the sustenance of natural resources. Implementation of unplanned developmental activities in the ecologically fragile regions has contributed to frequent landslides, conversion of perennial rivers to intermittent or seasonal rivers, reduced water retention capability, etc. Addressing these challenges entails understanding the drivers of land-use change and also their role in altering land uses. Large-scale linear projects such as roads and railways, though contribute to better infrastructure and enhance employment opportunities but severely change the landscape structure affecting peoples’ livelihood due to the reduction of ecosystem goods and services. Planned interventions are essential for adopting appropriate land-use trends and shift the trajectory of ecosystem service provision through prior visualization of land-use dynamics with likely impacts. The current study analyses the possible land-use changes in the ecologically fragile central Western Ghats with the proposed railway networks, namely (i) Mysore–Kushalnagar and (ii) Mysore–Thalassery (limited to Karnataka state), using an agent-based model (Fuzzy-AHP-CA-Markov) considering the linear project regions with a buffer of 5 km. The analyses reveal a reduction of forests by 2 and 5%, respectively, during 2010 and 2019. This trend would continue with a significant forest decline by 2026. Areas under built-up have increased over 5% during 2010–2019, which would increase by 7% (2019 and 2026) at the expense of cultivation lands. Major cities such as Mysore and Kushalnagara would witness concentrated urban growth with sprawl in the peripheries, while other towns have undergone leapfrog developments. The spatial distribution of fauna and flora indicates that most parts of the buffer region endow endemic species and serve as foraging grounds. Prediction of likely land uses in 2026 suggests that these regions would undergo large-scale alterations threatening fauna and flora. Implementing linear projects in the ecologically fragile Western Ghats would further destabilize the region, posing a threat with the increased hazard frequencies and the sustenance of natural resources.

Benthic primary producers in exceptionally preserved Cambrian biotas of North China

Strata situated within the South China Craton host several key Cambrian macroalgal assemblages, including those of the Chengjiang, Kaili, and Tsinghsutung Lagerstätte. In this report, Cambrian macroalgae are described for the first time from the North China Craton, an area that, during the early Paleozoic, was not contiguous with the South China Craton. The material collected from the Mantou Formation and overlying Zhangxia Formation (Miaolingian Series) in Shandong Province is preserved as carbonaceous compressions and includes abundant simple tubular forms. These fall into two groupings on the basis of size and have characteristics broadly comparable to Fuxianospira gyrata and Sinocylindra yunnanensis, both of which are well-known from the Chengjiang biota and may represent simple siphonous green algae. Additional material includes irregular circular to oval films referable to Morania fragmenta and a tuft-like form superficially similar to Marpolia spissa, taxa with possible cyanophyte affinities described initially on the basis of material from the Burgess Shale but also known from the Cambrian of South China. The material is typical of the “Cambrian Flora” and provides further support for the cosmopolitan distribution of this noncalcified macroalgal flora at low latitude settings during the Cambrian.

A comparative study of acarbose, vildagliptin and saxagliptin intended for better efficacy and safety on type 2 diabetes mellitus treatment

As a complicated metabolic disorder, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is becoming a major health concern worldwide. Drugs including acarbose, saxagliptin and vildagliptin are applied, but their efficacy is still required to be compared. Therefore, the study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of acarbose, saxagliptin and vildagliptin in the treatment of T2DM. Ninety patients diagnosed with T2DM were treated with acarbose, saxagliptin and vildagliptin, respectively (30 patients for each drug). All patients were examined at 0, 4 and 12 weeks after treatment with vital signs recorded. Fasting blood glucose and blood biochemical indices were analyzed. In addition, fecal samples were taken for microbial macrogenome sequencing and safety evaluation within 12 weeks after treatment. Blood glucose level decreased at 4 and 12 weeks after treatment, and the total cholesterol (TC) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels at 12 weeks were different. Genus abundance of intestinal flora was altered at different time points. Acarbose increased Butyricimonas level first and then decreased it during drug treatment. Saxagliptin increased Megamonas and decreased Turicibacter genus level gradually. Pseudomonas, Klebsiella, Blautia, Faecalibacterium and Roseburia levels fluctuated after Vildagliptin treatment, which increased fasting C-peptide level greater than the other two drugs. Saxagliptin showed higher adverse reactions than acarbose and vildagliptin. Collectively, acarbose, vildagliptin, and saxagliptin can effectively reduce the HbA1c level and affect the intestinal flora distribution in T2DM patients, and the adverse reactions of acarbose and vildagliptin are less than saxagliptin, providing alternative strategies for the treatment of T2DM.

Distribution of Flora and Naturalized Plants in Gwangpo Bay, Sacheon

Distribution of Flora and Naturalized Plants in Gwangpo Bay, Sacheon

The PHYTOSOCIOLOGY OF WEEDS IN AGRICULTURE FARM, THE UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE PESHAWAR- PAKISTAN

Weeds interference with crops and native useful plants, causing negative impacts on crop production and biodiversity. Weeds being more adaptable to changing climate establish easily into new areas becoming invasive over the native vegetation. To investigate further the adaptability of invasive weeds and their status among the native plant community a field survey was carried out from July – September, 2017 at New Developmental Farm (NDF), Malakandher, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar to record weeds species composition. Data was sampled from three different sites i.e. field crop area, non-field and orchards with a quadrate randomly thrown 50 times at different locations. A total of 39 weeds species from 16 families (14 dicot and two monocot) and 36 genera were identified. Dicots were dominant as compared to monocot. The major monocot family poaceae contributed 10 species while in dicots Asteraceae took the lead with 6 species, followed by Euphorbiaceae with 3 species. The rest of the plant families include Aizoaceae, Amaranthaceae, Convolvulaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Cyperaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Malvaceae, Nyctaginaceae, Oxidillaceae and Plantaginaceae. Among the weed species 27 were annual and the rest (12) were perennials. Annuals were reported from all the three sites, while perennials were found in non-field area i.e. irrigation canals, field ridges, orchards and undisturbed waste areas. Data regarding absolute and relative density, frequency, relative frequency and importance valve of weeds of the area were recorded by quadrate method. Cynodon dactylon had the highest relative density (27.21%), followed by Digiteria sanguinalis (14.87), Cyperus rotundus (12.96) and Euphorbia prostrata (5.12) relative density, respectively. Parthenium hysterophorus L. an invasive alien weed was recorded in almost all the localities with a weed density of 2.6 m-2 in non-field area especially, followed by 0.85 m-2 in field crop and 0.8 m-2 in orchards and with a mean density of 1.42 m-2 and a relative density % of 1.52 across all locations. Similarly another invasive weed Broussonetia papyrifera was recorded in non-field area only with lowest mean relative density of 0.07%. Mean distribution data showed highest relative frequency for C. dactylon (13.66 %) followed by D. sangunalis (10.22), C. rotundus (7.86) and S. halepense (7.23), respectively. Alhaji maurorum, Eclipta alba, Cucumis callosus, B. papyrifera, Withania somnifera and Boerhavia diffusa took the smallest relative frequency of 0.38 % at most of the locations studied thereby indicating them as insignificant among the weed flora of the study area. Importance value data revealed that C. dactylon, D. sangunalis, C. rotundus and S. halepense having IV % of 34.03, 19.99, 16.89 and 10.17, respectively. Looking at the overall distribution of weeds flora in NDF Malakandher during the summer season C. dactylon is distributed on road sides, field ridges, irrigation channels, agricultural fields, orchards and waste lands, while P. hysterophorus being an invasive weed showed increasing trend compared to its earlier status evident from previous study.

The Subchronic Toxic Effects of Mosla chinensis Maxim in Normal Rats

Background The aim of this work was to study the toxic effects and target organs of Mosla chinensis Maxim (MCM) in rats and provide theoretical basis for clinical medication. Methods The subchronic toxicity study was conducted on 60 male and female SD rats using the fixed-dose method for the treatment groups and 20 male and female SD rats for the control. At the subchronic toxicity study, the water extract of MCM with fixed doses of 0.2 g/kg/day, 2 g/kg/day, and 20 g/kg/day was administered for 90 days intragastric, and the control group was given the same amount of distilled water. After 90 days, the general conditions of the rats were observed. Assessment on safety of the extract was conducted by a subchronic toxicity test which mainly examined alteration occurrence in gut flora and urine metabolism. Results There was no significant difference in physical signs, reactivity, and stool characteristics in the four groups. Compared with the control group, the number of red blood cells in the male 2 g/kg/day group and the female 0.2 g/kg/day group was significantly different (P < 0.05). The detection of serum biochemical indicators showed that MCM has an effect on liver and kidney function but has no physiological significance. The level of low-density lipoprotein in male rats was lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the blood glucose levels of female rats in the 0.2 g/kg/day, 2 g/kg/day, and 20 g/kg/day groups were significantly increased (P < 0.05). As far as the diversity of intestinal flora is concerned, feeding MCM for 90 days has an influence on the distribution of intestinal flora. The content of lactic acid bacteria increased, and the ratio of hard bacteria to Bacteroides (f/b) was also affected, but there was no significant difference. Conclusions These findings showed that the long-term intragastric administration of the MCM is safe to use within its dose recommendation. But it could have a slight effect on the metabolism of uric acid by changing the composition of intestinal flora and affecting the metabolism of tryptophan.

Viséan Fossil Plants from the Jiujialu Formation in Central Guizhou Province: Implications for Age of Bauxite and Palaeoenvironment

AbstractFossil plants from the carbonaceous shale of upper part of the Lower Carboniferous Jiujialu Formation in Lindai bauxite deposit fill a gap regarding the distribution of Early Carboniferous flora in Central Guizhou Province. Here the Lindai plant assemblage is systematically described, and its composition and geological age are discussed. Research demonstrates that 9 species in 6 genera of the fossil plants are discovered in this study, and they belong to lycopsids, sphenopsids and ferns, respectively. Based on the analysis of the floral composition, the geological age of the Lindai plant assemblage belongs to the Early Carboniferous Viséan. The discovery of Lindai plant assemblage not only provides a new fossil evidence to restrict the age of bauxite deposits in Lower Carboniferous Jiujialu Formation of Central Guizhou Province, but also has great significance to further research the palaeoecological setting and floral evolution during the Early Carboniferous.

Notulae to the Italian native vascular flora: 10

In this contribution, new data concerning the distribution of native vascular flora in Italy are presented. It includes new records, confirmations, exclusions, and status changes to the Italian administrative regions for taxa in the genera Artemisia, Chaetonychia, Cirsium, Cynanchum, Genista, Hieracium, Iberis, Melica, Misopates, Myosotis, Thalictrum, Trifolium, Utricularia, Veronica, and Vicia. Nomenclatural and distribution updates, published elsewhere, and corrigenda are provided as supplementary material.

Polychaete Invasion May Lead to Biogeochemical Change in Host Marine Environment

Marine invasive species may modify their host environment by altering ecosystem biogeochemistry. We hypothesized that the invasive polychaete Marenzelleria viridis in Baltic Sea areas increases sulfate reduction (SR) in sediment micro-zones surrounding its burrow. Consequently, higher free porewater sulfide (H2S) is expected in sediments dominated by M. viridis than in corresponding sediments inhabited by the native polychaete Hediste diversicolor. In a thin-aquaria experiment, we found high SR rates (220 to 539 nmol cm−3 d−1) around the burrow walls of M. viridis as well as in surface and subsurface sediments with overall rates 2-fold higher than in defaunated control sediment. Similarly, an in situ survey revealed subsurface porewater H2S peaks moving upward towards the sediment surface in M. viridis inhabited areas. Accordingly, 50–85% higher porewater H2S was found almost year-round in these areas compared with H. diversicolor inhabited areas, suggesting that the invasion of M. viridis probably led to a substantial change in sediment biogeochemistry. In conclusion, M. viridis stimulates SR in sediment micro-zones and increases H2S in coastal sediments. Such change to more reducing conditions after the invasion may have critical environmental implications on, e.g., the distribution of H2S intolerant flora and fauna species.

Risk factors for Keshan disease: a prospective cohort study protocol of gut flora

BackgroundKeshan disease is an endemic cardiomyopathy of undefined causes. Being involved in the unclear pathogenesis of Keshan disease, a clear diagnosis, and effective treatment cannot be initiated. However, the rapid development of gut flora in cardiovascular disease combined with omics and big data platforms may promote the discovery of new diagnostic markers and provide new therapeutic options. This study aims to identify biomarkers for the early diagnosis and further explore new therapeutic targets for Keshan disease.MethodsThis cohort study consists of two parts. Though the first part includes 300 participants, however, recruiting will be continued for the eligible participants. After rigorous screening, the blood samples, stools, electrocardiograms, and ultrasonic cardiogram data would be collected from participants to elucidate the relationship between gut flora and host. The second part includes a prospective follow-up study for every 6 months within 2 years. Finally, deep mining of big data and rapid machine learning will be employed to analyze the baseline data, experimental data, and clinical data to seek out the new biomarkers to predict the pathogenesis of Keshan disease.DiscussionOur study will clarify the distribution of gut flora in patients with Keshan disease and the abundance and population changes of gut flora in different stages of the disease. Through the big data platform analyze the relationship between environmental factors, clinical factors, and gut flora, the main factors affecting the occurrence of Keshan disease were identified, and the changed molecular pathways of gut flora were predicted. Finally, the specific gut flora and molecular pathways affecting Keshan disease were identified by metagenomics combined with metabonomic analysis.Trial registration: ChiCTR1900026639. Registered on 16 October 2019.

Coptis chinensis Franch polysaccharides provide a dynamically regulation on intestinal microenvironment, based on the intestinal flora and mucosal immunity

Ethnopharmacological relevanceCoptis chinensis Franch is one of the most widely used traditional Chinese herbs in China and was firstly recorded in "Shennong's Classic of Materia Medica” in the Han Dynasty. The medical records in past thousands years have fully confirmed the clinical efficacies of Coptis chinensis Franch against intestinal diseases. The polysaccharides in herbal medicines can be digested by the flora and uptaken by the Peyer's patches (PPs) in intestine. It can be reasonably presumed that the polysaccharides in Coptis chinensis Franch (CCP) should be one of the critical element in the regulation of intestinal microenvironment. Aim of the studyThis study intended to explore the dynamic regulation of CCP on intestinal microenvironment from the perspective of the intestinal mucosal immunity and the intestinal flora, in order to provide a new research perspective for the pharmacological mechanism of Coptis chinensis Franch. Materials and methodsThe absorption and distribution of CCP in intestinal tissues were observed after the perfusion of FITC labeled CCP. The influences of CCP on intestinal flora were evaluated by the 16sRNA gene illumina-miseq sequencing after gavage. The regulations of CCP on intestinal mucosal immunity were evaluated by the immunohistochemical analysis of the interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-17 (IL-17) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) secretion in PPs and intestinal epithelial tissue. ResultsWith the self-aggregation into particles morphology, CCP can be up-taken by PPs and promote the IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-17 and TGF-β secretion in PPs in a dose-dependent manner. The CCP can also be utilized by the intestinal flora and dynamically regulate the diversity, composition and distribution of the intestinal flora. The temporal regulations of CCP on IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-17 and TGF-β secretions in intestinal epithelial tissues are consistent with the variation tendency of intestinal flora. ConclusionCCP can provide effective, dynamical and dose-dependent regulations on intestinal microenvironment, not only the intestinal flora but also the PPs and intestinal epithelium related immune response. These may be involved in the multiple biological activities of Coptis chinensis Franch.

Associations of oral and intestinal florae and serum inflammatory factors with pathogenesis of oral cancer.

The aim of this study was to explore the effects of oral and intestinal florae and serum inflammatory factors on the pathogenesis of oral cancer. Oral cancer patients and healthy subjects in our hospital were enrolled in disease group (n=50) and control group (n=50), respectively. Oral flora of subjects was collected using the sterile cotton swab. Microbial deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was extracted for Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) amplification and sequencing. Subsequently, the feces were also collected from patients, and sent to the company for analysis of microbial composition via sequencing. In addition, the levels of serum inflammatory factors tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-8 (IL-8), IL-6, and IL-1β in disease group and control group were detected via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The number of patients with a history of drinking (p=0.040) and betel nut chewing (p=0.000) in the disease group was larger than that in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant. In terms of oral flora distribution, the ratios of dominant bacteria Staphylococcus and Rothia were 64% and 50% in disease group, which were significantly higher than those in the control group (24% and 18%) (p=0.023 and 0.034). In terms of intestinal flora distribution, the abundance of intestinal florae (Flavobacteriaceae, Sphingobacteriales, Rikenella, Pseudomonadales, Tetragenococcus and Acinetobacter) in the disease group was remarkably higher than that in the control group (p<0.05). However, the abundance of Vagococcus and Pediococcus in control group was significantly higher than that in the disease group (p<0.05). Among intestinal flora, Firmicutes exhibited a highly positive correlation with Bacteroides (r=0.341, p=0.023), and a highly negative correlation with Ruminococcus (r=-0.832, p=0.000). Bacteroides had a highly negative correlation with Lactobacillus (r=-0.763, p=0.000) and Enterococcus (r=-0.461, p=0.000). In disease group, the levels of TNF-α (p=0.021), IL-8 (p=0.000), and IL-1β (p=0.000) were evidently higher than those in the control group [(23.51±2.14) ng/L vs. (12.34±2.45) ng/L, (89.75±4.29) ng/L vs. (43.23±3.25) ng/L, (42.25±3.25) ng/L vs. (15.32±1.47) ng/L]. However, there was no statistically significant difference in IL-6 level between the two groups (p=0.217). Oral and intestinal florae and serum inflammatory factors are associated with the pathogenesis of oral cancer.