Abstract Kernel direct harvesting is the mainstream technology of maize harvesting in the world today, it has significant impact on the maize kernel subsequent food processing. Direct harvest technology in china is not well developed due to the influence of growth environment, agronomy, etc., which leads kernel damage. The kernel damage is necessary studied in maize direct harvesting technology. Therefore, “Zheng Dan 958” was selected, the entrance clearance, export clearance, and cylinder speed as variables to carry out the kernel damage experiment. Processed the image of threshed maize kernel, extracted the crack and boundary characteristics of kernel damage, and established the BP neural network model to study the direct harvesting damage and optimize parameters. The results indicated that kernel damage increased with decreasing threshing clearance and increasing threshing intensity. In a certain threshing clearance, cylinder speed was the key factor affecting kernel damage. The R of model was above 0.95, the accuracy of damage quantitative identification was above 85%. When inlet clearance was 35 mm, outlet clearance was 15 mm, and cylinder speed was 300 rpm, kernel damage was small. Our findings will provide reference for kernel direct harvesting technology and improve harvest quality to meet food processing industry demands.

Abstract Moutan Cortex Radicis, the root bark of Paeonia × suffruticosa Andrews, Paeoniaceae, has been widely used in traditional medicine therapy. Although it has been shown to possess many pharmacological activities, the molecular mechanisms of its anti-cancer activity have not been clearly elucidated. In the present study, we investigated the pro-apoptotic effects of the ethanol extract of Moutan Cortex Radicis in human gastric cancer AGS cells. Moutan Cortex Radicis treatment inhibited the cell viability of AGS cells in a concentration-dependent manner, which was associated with apoptotic cell death. Moutan Cortex Radicis's induction of apoptosis was connected with the upregulation of death receptor 4, death receptor 5, tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand, Fas ligand, and Bax, and the downregulation of Bcl-2 and Bid. Moutan Cortex Radicis treatment also induced the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm), the proteolytic activation of caspases (-3, -8, and -9), and the degradation of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, an activated caspase-3 substrate protein. However, the pre-treatment of a caspase-3 inhibitor significantly attenuated Moutan Cortex Radicis-induced apoptosis and cell viability reduction. In addition, Moutan Cortex Radicis treatment effectively activated the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase signaling pathway; however, a specific inhibitor of AMPK significantly reduced Moutan Cortex Radicis-induced apoptosis. Overall, the results suggest that the apoptotic activity of Moutan Cortex Radicis may be associated with a caspase-dependent cascade through the activation of both extrinsic and intrinsic signaling pathways connected with adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase activation, and Moutan Cortex Radicis as an activator of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase could be a prospective application to treat human cancers.

PROPÓSITO: Avaliar de forma sistemática se esteroides orais podem ser utilizados com a mesma eficácia e segurança em comparação com o regime intravenoso para o tratamento de recaídas da esclerose múltipla (MS). MÉTODO: Foram pesquisados Medline, Embase e Cochrane Library e sistematicamente revistos artigos comparando resultados de esteroides orais versus intravenosos para recaídas agudas em pacientes com diagnóstico de esclerose múltipla clinicamente definida. RESULTADOS: Seis artigos com 414 participantes no total foram analisados. Cinco dos estudos incluídos relataram a proporção de doentes com melhoria através de "Expanded Disability Status Scale" depois de receber um ou outro tratamento: metilprednisolona oral ou intravenosa por quatro semanas. Os resultados combinados mostraram que não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa (OR 0,96; 95% 101 0,60, 1,54 ; p = 0,86). Três estudos mostraram os resultados detalhados de eventos adversos, indicando que os dois tratamentos parecem ser igualmente seguros. Dois ensaios revelaram que não havia nenhuma diferença significativa no aumento de atividade de gadolínio via imagens por ressonância magnética. Um estudo mostrou que a área média sob as curvas de concentração-tempo (AUC) às 24 horas e 48 horas não diferiram entre os grupos. CONCLUSÃO: Não foram encontradas diferenças significativas em termos de clínicos (benefícios e eventos adversos) ou nos resultados radiológicos e farmacológicos em pacientes pós-esteroides por via oral ou intravenosa no tratamento de várias recaídas de esclerose. Nossa metanálise fornece evidências de que a terapia com esteroides por via oral não é inferior à terapia com esteroides por via intravenosa. Assim, a administração oral pode ser um substituto favorável para medicação intravenosa de recidivas da esclerose múltipla.

PURPOSE: To systematically evaluate whether oral steroids can be used with the same efficacy and safety in comparison with the intravenous regimen for treatment of multiple sclerosis relapses. METHOD: We searched Medline, Embase and Cochrane Library and systematically reviewed articles comparing outcomes of oral versus intravenous steroids for acute relapses in patients with a clinically definite diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. RESULTS: Six articles with 414 participants in total were analyzed. Five of the included trials reported the proportion of patients experiencing improvement in Expanded Disability Status Scale after receiving either oral or intravenous methylprednisolone treatment at four weeks; the pooled results showed that there was no statistically significant difference (OR 0.96; 95% CI 0.60, 1.54; p=0.86) between treatments. Three trials reported the detailed results of adverse events, indicating the two treatments appear to be equally safe. Two trials revealed that there was no significant difference in gadolinium enhancement activity on magnetic resonance imaging. One trial showed that the mean area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) at 24 and 48 hours did not differ between groups. CONCLUSION: No significant differences were found in terms of clinical (benefits and adverse events), radiological and pharmacological outcomes in multiple sclerosis relapses in patients after oral or intravenous steroids treatment. Our meta-analysis provides evidence that oral steroid therapy is not inferior to intravenous steroid therapy. Thus oral administration may be a favorable substitute for intravenous medication of multiple sclerosis relapses.