Abstract Aiming to provide a new way that preserves more active components in Eucommia ulmoides (EU) leaves, this paper utilizes 4 methods, i.e., microwave, steam, air heating, and frying, to process EU leaves before drying, and their respective effects on the leaves were evaluated. The antioxidant activity of EU leaves in vitro was measured by the DPPH free radical method; the contents of total flavonoids (TFC) and total phenols (TPC) were analyzed by spectrophotometry; and the contents of main active components were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The results showed the pre-process improved the quality of the EU leaves. As a simple and fast process, the microwave process is the most effective technique in the retention of flavonoids and four active ingredients except aucubin. High power (800 W) and short time (2.5 min) are more conducive to the retention of active ingredients, with high antioxidant activity. Appropriate steam and frying processes also exhibited benefits for the active components. In particular, the samples treated with steam for 10 minutes showed great potential for industrial application with the highest antioxidant activity and polyphenol content. Therefore, proper pre-processing before drying should be conducted to effectively protect the active components of EU leaves.

Abstract Background Drought stress has significantly hampered agricultural productivity worldwide and can also result in modifications to DNA methylation levels. However, the dynamics of DNA methylation and its association with the changes in gene transcription and alternative splicing (AS) under drought stress are unknown in linseed, which is frequently cultivated in arid and semiarid regions. Results We analysed AS events and DNA methylation patterns in drought-tolerant (Z141) and drought-sensitive (NY-17) linseed under drought stress (DS) and repeated drought stress (RD) treatments. We found that the number of intron-retention (IR) and alternative 3’ splice site (Alt3’SS) events were significantly higher in Z141 and NY-17 under drought stress. We found that the linseed response to the DS treatment was mainly regulated by transcription, while the response to the RD treatment was coregulated by transcription and AS. Whole genome-wide DNA methylation analysis revealed that drought stress caused an increase in the overall methylation level of linseed. Although we did not observe any correlation between differentially methylated genes (DMGs) and differentially spliced genes (DSGs) in this study, we found that the DSGs whose gene body region was hypermethylated in Z141 and hypomethylated in NY-17 were enriched in abiotic stress response Gene Ontology (GO) terms. This finding implies that gene body methylation plays an important role in AS regulation in some specific genes. Conclusion Our study is the first comprehensive genome-wide analysis of the relationship between linseed methylation changes and AS under drought and repeated drought stress. Our study revealed different interaction patterns between differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and DSGs under DS and RD treatments and differences between methylation and AS regulation in drought-tolerant and drought-sensitive linseed varieties. The findings will probably be of interest in the future. Our results provide interesting insights into the association between gene expression, AS, and DNA methylation in linseed under drought stress. Differences in these associations may account for the differences in linseed drought tolerance.

Abstract The woody oil industry generates a large amount of seed shell waste during its production. Therefore, this paper employs a central composite design (CCD) methodology to optimize the ultrasonic-assisted extraction process, thus utilizing the byproduct. The infrared spectrum and thermogravimetric analysis is adopted to explore the chemical structure and thermal stability of tannin. Besides, the tannin resin (TF) is prepared to elaborate its adsorbing performance for dyes in water. The results verify the role of ultrasonic-assisted extraction method in increasing yield rate. The optimal conditions are as follows: 60% ethanol as extraction solvent, the solid-liquid ratio of 1:25 (g/mL), ultrasonic power of 160 W, and extracted at 80oC for 60min. The yield rate of tannin under such conditions stands at 32.04% (w/w). Temperature is vital for the extraction rate. Acer truncatum tannin as a condensed tannin, performs favorable thermal stability, and TF effectively absorbs cationic dye in water. The maximum adsorption capacity of methylene blue peaks at 176.13 mg/g. Acer truncatum shell serves as a resource of condensed tannin, and Acer truncatum tannin resin can be potentially developed into a new biomass adsorbent.

Abstract In this paper, the relationship between Kernel average misorientation (KAM), geometrically necessary dislocation (GND) density and dislocation structures of Nb-bearing austenitic stainless steel under low cycle fatigue (LCF) was studied at 600°C at the total strain amplitude ranged from 0.3% to 1.0%. The results based on EBSD analysis show that the GND density in fatigue specimens gradually increases with the increase of strain amplitude. Under LCF loading, the dislocation structures are mainly planar slip bands (PSBs) and the cell structures. With the increase of strain amplitude, the number of PSBs increases with decrease in width, and the average diameter of cells also decreases. The PSBs originate due to the dynamic strain aging (DSA) effect, and DSA is more significant under high strain amplitude. The average diameter of cell structures has a specific relationship with GND density.

Developmental learning difficulties are among the prevalent exceptionalities school learners have today. In this regard, identification and placement are among the facilitators of later successful intervention for these groups of learners (West-Olatunji, Shure, Pringle, Adams, Lewis & Cholewa, 2010). However, there are not enough resources such as tools to measure the learners' difficulties (Alim, Abdallah, Ramaroson, Sidikou & Van de Wiel, 2007) available. The tools, which objectively help a professional to identify a learner's level of difficulty is an essential resource, however, they are scarce. With this study we aimed to develop an observation card to determine the prevalence of developmental learning difficulties among primary school students in Sana'a City, Yemen. A 24-item tool was used and analysed to test its psychometric properties. A total of 238 students with ages ranging from 6 to 13 years participated in the study. The findings of the study suggest the final formulation of the items to be included in the observation card that can measure the prevalence of this exceptionality through the use of observation scores. The observed raw score had been standardised by its deviation from the sample's mean. Further, the findings reveal that there were statistically significant differences in the respondents' level of difficulties in terms of their gender and grade. Recommendations of the study are presented in this article.

Abstract Professional athletes conduct high-intensitive hypoxic training often accompanied by the increase of many inflammatory-related cytokines and immunosuppression. Cucurbitacin E (CucE), as a triterpenoid isolated from Cucurbitaceae plants, exert potential anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory. However, it is unknown whether that the CucE could be used as dietary supplement for athletes to improve inflammatory response and immunosuppression. In this study, we established the simulative hypoxic training rat and monkey models and evaluated the effects of CucE on immune- and inflammation-related factors. Obvious improvement on pro-inflammatory factors and pro-lymphocyte proliferation activities were showed in CucE treated rats compared with the control. Further supplement of CucE in professional meals for cynomolgus monkeys with 4-weeks high-intensitive hypoxic training also exert effects on altitude-induced oxidative stress, inflammation and immunologic function. Furtherly, we explored the underlying mechanism of CucE in human Jurkat T cells and results showed that CucE may exhibit immunosuppressive effect by attenuating critical cytokine expression through down-regulating the NF-κB signaling pathway. In conclusion, CucE is expected to be a potential dietary supplement for athletes to ameliorate the inflammation and immunosuppression caused by high-intensitive exercise.

Abstract Silicon-rich silicon oxide (SRSO) film was prepared through the deposition of SiOx film by radio-frequency reactive magnetron sputtering from a Si target and the subsequent rapid thermal annealing treatment of SiOx film, and planar-type field emission cathodes based on SRSO film were fabricated. The surface morphologies and electron emission properties of the SRSO films deposited under different O2/Ar flow ratios were investigated. The experimental results show that a relatively high O2/Ar flow ratio during the deposition of SiOx film can lead to the formation of cluster structure in the SRSO film prepared, and the electron emission efficiency of SRSO film rises with the increase of electric field applied. An SRSO-film cathode fabricated under an O2/Ar flow ratio of 1:1 with a chamber pressure of 0.21 Pa has an emission current density of 65.61 μA/cm2 and a corresponding emission efficiency of 0.53% at a bias voltage of 18 V, and it exhibits relatively stable emission and fine emission uniformity.

Abstract The use of antimicrobial agents is an efficient method to prevent dental caries. Also, nanometric antibacterial agents with wide antibacterial spectrum and strong antibacterial effects can be applied for prevention of dental caries. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the inhibitory effect of reduced graphene oxide-silver nanoparticles (rGO/Ag) composite on the progression of artificial enamel caries in a Streptococcus mutans biofilm model. Material and Methods: Enamel specimens from bovine incisors were divided into eight treatment groups (n = 13), as follows: group 1 was inoculated with S. mutans grown in Brain Heart Infusion containing 1% sucrose (1% BHIS), as negative control; groups 2-4 were inoculated with S. mutans grown in the presence of different rGO/Ag concentrations (0.08, 0.12, 0.16 mg/mL) + 1% BHIS; group 5-7 were inoculated with S. mutans grown in the presence of different agents (0.16 mg/mL reduced graphene oxide, 0.16 mg/mL silver nanoparticles, 10 ppm NaF) + 1% BHIS; group 8 was mixed with 1% BHIS, without inoculation. Artificial enamel carious lesions were produced by S. mutans biofilm model for 7 days. Confocal laser scanning microscopy and atomic force microscopy were used to analyze roughness and morphology of the enamel surface. Polarized light microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy were employed to measure the lesion depth and the relative optical density (ROD) of the demineralized layer. Results: Compared with the control groups, the rGO/Ag groups showed: (a) reduced enamel surface roughness; (b) much smoother and less eroded surfaces; (c) shallower lesion depth and less mineral loss. Conclusion: As a novel composite material, rGO/Ag can be a promising antibacterial agent for caries prevention.

ABSTRACT In this study, a high salt-tolerant and glyphosate-degrading strain named BZ8 was isolated from activated sludge. According to 16S rDNA sequencing methods, morphological, physiological and biochemical analysis, strain BZ8 was identified as Agrobacterium tumefaciens. The growth and glyphosate-degrading capability of A. tumefaciens BZ8 were investigated and the results showed that the optimum conditions for glyphosate degradation under 6% of NaCl concentration were found as follows: inoculation size of 10% (v/v), incubation temperature 37℃ and initial pH of 5.0. Salt tolerance test showed that A. tumefaciens BZ8 grew well and could thoroughly degrade 2000 mg/L glyphosate in 36 h if the concentration of NaCl was lower than 6%, while the degradation rate decreased gradually with increasing NaCl concentration. But the glyphosate degradation rate could still reach 62% when the salt concentration was 8%. In addition, the kinetic parameters for A. tumefaciens BZ8 grown on 100-2800 mg/L glyphosate according to Haldane’s model could predict the cell growth tendency successfully. These results showed that A. tumefaciens BZ8 could be used to control glyphosate wastewater with high salt content. Therefore, it has potential application.

Este trabalho objetiva o estudo da patogênese de deficiência no aprendizado e memória de prole de ratos resultante da anestesia maternal por enflurano, por meio da expressão da subunidade 2B do receptor do ácidoN-metil-D-aspártico (NR2B) no hipocampo dos filhotes. Dividiram-se, aleatoriamente, 30 fêmeas de ratos Sprague-Dawley em três grupos: controle (grupo C), exposição ao enflurano por 4 h (grupo E1) e por 8 h (grupo E2). De oito a 10 dias após o início da gravidez, os ratos dos grupos E1 e E2 inalaram enflurano 1,7% em 2 L/min de oxigênio, por 4 h e 8 h, respectivamente. Ratos do grupo C inalaram apenas 2 L/min de oxigênio. O labirinto de água de Morris foi empregado para analisar as funções de aprendizado e memória da cria em 20 e 30 dias após o nascimento. Utilizaram-se ensaios de RT-PCR e de imuno-histoquímica para medir os níveis de mRNA e expressão da proteína do NR2B, respectivamente. Em comparação com os ratos controle do grupo C, aqueles dos grupos E1 e E2 exibiram latências de escape mais longas, menor número de travessias na plataforma e menos tempo gasto no quadrante alvo no teste de exploração espacial (P < 0,05). Adicionalmente, os níveis de expressão de mRNA e de proteína do NR2B no hipocampo dos filhotes nos grupos E1 e E2 estavam reduzidos (P < 0,05). Não se observaram diferenças significativas entre os grupos E1 e E2 (P < 0,05) quanto aos níveis de mRNA e à expressão de proteína de NR2B. A função cognitiva dos filhotes é prejudicada quando as mães são expostas ao enflurano durante o início da gravidez. O mecanismo possível para esse efeito está relacionado à diminuição na expressão de NR2B.

This work aims to study the pathogenesis of learning and memory impairment in offspring rats resulting from maternal enflurane anesthesia by focusing on the expression of the N-methyl-d-aspartic acid receptor subunit 2B (NR2B) in the hippocampus of the offspring. Thirty female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: control (C group), 4 h enflurane exposure (E1 group), and 8 h enflurane exposure (E2 group) groups. Eight to ten days after the initiation of pregnancy, rats from the E1 and E2 groups were allowed to inhale 1.7% enflurane in 2 L/min oxygen for 4 h and 8 h, respectively. Rats from the C group were allowed to inhale 2 L/min of oxygen only. The Morris water maze was used to assay the learning and memory function of the offspring on postnatal days 20 and 30. RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry assays were then used to measure the mRNA levels and protein expression of NR2B, respectively. Relative to offspring rats from the C group, those from the E1 and E2 groups exhibited longer escape latencies, lesser number of crossings over the platform, and less time spent in the target quadrant in the spatial exploration test (P < 0.05). In addition, the mRNA and protein expression levels of NR2B in the hippocampus of offspring rats in the E1 and E2 groups were down-regulated (P < 0.05). No significant differences between the E1 and E2 groups were observed (P > 0.05) in terms of mRNA levels and protein expression of NR2B. The cognitive function of the offspring is impaired when maternal rats are exposed to enflurane during early pregnancy. A possible mechanism of this effect is related to the down-regulation of NR2B expression.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the natural prevalence of variants of tyrosine-methionine-aspartic acid-aspartic acid (YMDD) motif in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), and to explore its relation with demographic and clinical features, hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes, and HBV DNA levels. METHODS: A total of 1,042 antiviral treatment naïve CHB patients (including with lamivudine [LAM]) in the past year were recruited from outpatient and inpatient departments of six centers from December 2008 to June 2010. YMDD variants were analyzed using the HBV drug resistance line probe assay (Inno-Lipa HBV-DR). HBV genotypes were detected with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) microcosmic nucleic acid cross-ELISA, and HBV deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was quantitated with real-time PCR. All serum samples underwent tests for HBV, HCV, and HDV with ELISA. RESULTS: YMDD variants were detected in 23.3% (243/1042) of CHB patients. YMDD mutation was accompanied by L180M mutation in 154 (76.9%) patients. Both wild-type HBV and YMDD variant HBV were present in 231 of 243 patients. Interestingly, 12 patients had only YIDD and/or YVDD variants without wild YMDD motif. In addition, 27.2% (98/359) of HbeAg-positive patients had YMDD mutations, which was higher than that in HbeAg-negative patients (21.2%, 145/683). The incidence of YMDD varied among patients with different HBV genotypes, but the difference was not significant. Moreover, the incidence of YMDD in patients with high HBV DNA level was significantly higher than that in those with low HBV DNA level. CONCLUSION: Mutation of YMDD motif was detectable at a high rate in CHB patients in this study. The incidence of YMDD may be correlated with HBeAg and HBV DNA level.

The current study investigated the effects of the granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) on rat endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) biology. EPCs were isolated from rat bone marrow and experiments were carried out to determine the dose- and time-dependent effects of GM-CSF on angiogenesis, proliferation, viability, migration and vasculogenesis. EPCs were co-cultured with rat cardiac microvascular endothelial cells (CMECs) to determine the effect of GM-CSF on EPC angiogenesis in vitro. EPC proliferation and viability, migration, and vasculogenesis were measured by the respective application of the method of transcription and translation (MTT) assay, the Transwell chamber assay and the Matrigel assay. GM-CSF treatment stimulated EPC angiogenesis, proliferation, viability, migration and tubule formation in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Furthermore, GM-CSF treatment led to the upregulation of integrinβ2, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and p-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK) 1/2 levels in EPCs. Moreover, two different phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitors (LY294002 and Wortmannin) partially inhibited the GM-CSF-mediated increase in p-ERK1/2 levels in EPCs. The ERK inhibitor, FR180204, dramatically inhibited GM-CSF-mediated stimulation of EPC proliferation, migration and vasculogenesis. Taken together, the results of the current study provide evidence that a PI3K-dependent ERK signalling pathway is, at least, partially responsible for the GM-CSF-mediated effects on EPC function.