Resumo Gardenia jasminoides Ellis é um fitoterápico chinês com valor medicinal e econômico, mas seu mecanismo de resposta ao estresse hídrico permanece obscuro. Neste estudo, o “método de potes duplos” foi usado para simular o estresse hídrico de G. jasminoides Ellis e explorar seu mecanismo de resposta fisiológica e transcriptômica. Não encontramos danos significativos aos lipídios da membrana de G. jasminoides Ellis durante o estresse. POD desempenhou um papel antioxidante vital, o enriquecimento KEGG mostrou que metabólitos secundários, como flavonoides, também podem desempenhar um papel antioxidante e PRO desempenhou um ajuste osmótico significativo. Os hormônios endógenos regulam o crescimento e o desenvolvimento de G. jasminoides Ellis e desempenham um papel na transdução de sinal. Entre eles, o estresse hídrico leve é retardado. Ao mesmo tempo, havia 19631, 23693 e 15045 genes diferencialmente expressos de G. jasminoides Ellis nos dias 5, 10 e 15 sob estresse hídrico. Esses genes foram intimamente associados ao proteassoma, endopeptidase, ribossomo, transdução de sinal MAPK e transdução de sinal de hormônio endógeno, interação planta-patógeno e biossíntese de fenilpropanoides e outras vias fisiológicas e metabólicas, que regulam o turnover e transporte de proteínas, o reforço e adesão das paredes celulares, a indução do fechamento estomático, reações alérgicas, reações de defesa, movimentos foliares, entre outros. Também podem absorver os raios ultravioleta para reduzir a geração de radicais livres de oxigênio, alterar a forma de utilização da energia e ajustar a pressão osmótica das células vegetais.

Abstract Gardenia jasminoides Ellis is a Chinese herbal medicine with medicinal and economic value, but its mechanism of response to waterlogging stress remains unclear. In this study, the “double pots method” was used to simulate the waterlogging stress of Gardenia jasminoides Ellis to explore its physiological and transcriptomic response mechanism. We found no significant damage to Gardenia jasminoides Ellis membrane lipid during stress. POD played a vital antioxidant role, KEGG enrichment showed that secondary metabolites such as flavonoids might also play an antioxidant role, and PRO played a significant osmotic adjustment. Endogenous hormones regulate the Gardenia jasminoides Ellis's growth and development and play a role in signal transduction. Among them, light waterlogging stress is delayed. At the same time, there were 19631, 23693, and 15045 differentially expressed genes on the 5th, 10d, and 15d of Gardenia jasminoides Ellis under waterlogging stress. These genes were closely associated with the proteasome, endopeptidase, ribosome, MAPK signal transduction, and endogenous hormone signal transduction, plant-pathogen interaction and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis and other physiological and metabolic pathways, which regulate the turnover and transportation of protein, the reinforcement and adhesion of cell walls, the induction of stomatal closure, allergic reactions, defense reactions, leaf movements and others. It also can absorb ultraviolet rays to reduce the generation of oxygen free radicals, change the way of energy utilization and adjust the osmotic pressure of plant cells.

RESUMO O objetivo do presente estudo foi investigar os diferentes metabolitos do plasma entre o cio e o cio pós-parto de vacas leiteiras e fornecer uma base teórica para a prevenção do cio de vacas em fazendas de leite. No experimento, foram selecionadas 127 vacas leiteiras Holstein com idade e paridade similares. De acordo com a concentração de β- ácido hidroxibutírico, ácidos graxos não esterificados e glicose no plasma entre 14 e 21 dias no leite, todas as vacas leiteiras foram determinadas em estado de equilíbrio energético. De acordo com os resultados dos sintomas clínicos, do exame de ultra-som retal e B aos 60 a 90 dias pós-parto, estas vacas foram divididas em vinte cios e vinte e quatro grupos de cio, outras vacas leiteiras foram removidas. A tecnologia de ressonância magnética nuclear 1H foi utilizada para detectar as alterações dos metabólitos plasmáticos e para triar diferentes metabólitos plasmáticos entre as vacas do cio e do cio. Dez diferentes metabólitos incluindo alanina, ácido glutâmico, asparagina, creatina, colina, fosfocholina, glicerofosfocolina, lipoproteína de baixa densidade e lipoproteína de muito baixa densidade foram significativamente diminuídos nas vacas antróficas em comparação com as vacas estro. As análises da via metabólica indicaram que os metabólitos diferenciais estavam principalmente envolvidos no metabolismo de aminoácidos e glicerofosfolipídios. Estes metabólitos e suas vias de enriquecimento indicam que a redução dos precursores da síntese de hormônios esteróides resulta em níveis mais baixos de estradiol e progesterona e causa anestros no balanço energético negativo. Estes dados fornecem uma melhor compreensão das mudanças que podem afetar o cio das vacas leiteiras pós-parto no estado de NEB e preparam o terreno para mais pesquisas.

ABSTRACT The objective of the present study was to investigate the different plasma metabolites between anestrus and estrus postpartum dairy cows and to provide a theoretical basis for prevention of anestrus in dairy farm cows. In the experiment, one hundred and sixty-seven Holstein dairy cows were selected with similar age and parity. According to the concentration of β-hydroxybutyric acid, non-esterified fatty acids and glucose in plasma during 14 to 21 days in milk, all dairy cows were determined as having a status of energy balance. According to the results of clinical symptom, rectal and B ultrasound examination at 60 to 90 days postpartum, these cows were divided into twenty estrus and twenty-four anestrus group, other dairy cows were removed. 1H nuclear magnetic resonance technology was utilized to detect the plasma metabolites changes and screen different plasma metabolites between anestrus and estrus cows. Ten different metabolites including alanine, glutamic acid, asparagine, creatine, choline, phosphocholine, glycerophosphocholine, low-density lipoprotein, and very-low-density lipoprotein were significantly decreased in anestrous cows compared with estrous cows. Metabolic pathway analyses indicated that differential metabolites were primarily involved in amino acid and glycerophospholipid metabolism. These metabolites and their enrichment pathways indicate that reduced steroid hormone synthesis precursors result in lower levels of estradiol and progesterone and cause anestrus in negative energy balance. These data provide a better understanding of the changes that may affect estrus of postpartum dairy cows at NEB status and lay the ground for further research.

RESUMO A cetose pode trazer sérios prejuízos ao desempenho da vaca. Este estudo detectou alterações nos parâmetros metabólicos do sangue pré-parto para prever a cetose pós-parto que ocorre em vacas leiteiras. O escore de condição corporal (ECC) foi avaliado antes e após o parto. Foram coletadas amostras de sangue de 63 vacas entre 10 dias antes e 10 dias após o parto para medir os parâmetros metabólicos, incluindo ácido β-hidroxibutírico (BHBA), ácido graxo não esterificado (NEFA), glicose (GLU), bilirrubina total (TBIL), bilirrubina direta (DBIL), bilirrubina indireta (IBIL), proteína total (TP), albumina (ALB), globulina (GLO), alanina aminotransferase (ALT) e aspartato aminotransferase (AST). Houve uma incidência de cetose subclínica pós-parto de 42,25%. Em comparação com o pré-parto, o plasma, os níveis de BHBA, AST e NEFA aumentaram significativamente no pós-parto, e AST no pré-parto (R = 0,57) e NEFA (R = 0,45) mostraram uma correlação significativa positiva com cetose pós-parto. O nível plasmático de GLU diminuiu significativamente no pós-parto e foi negativamente correlacionado com a cetose de forma significativa (R = -0,21). A análise da curva característica de operação do receptor revelou BSC pré-parto <2,88 e AST plasmático pré-parto> 68,0 U / L, GLU <3,97mmol / L, NEFA> 0,27mmol / L e BHBA> 0,43mmol / L, indicando um alto risco de cetose subclínica pós-parto. Esses níveis podem ser usados como indicadores de risco para prever a ocorrência de cetose subclínica em vacas no pós-parto.

ABSTRACT Ketosis can seriously impair cow performance. This study detected changes in prepartum blood metabolic parameters for predicting postpartum ketosis occurrence in dairy cows. Body condition score (BCS) was assessed before and after delivery. Blood samples of 63 cows were collected from 10 days before calving to 10 days after calving to measure metabolic parameters including β-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA), non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA), glucose (GLU), total bilirubin (TBIL), direct bilirubin (DBIL), indirect bilirubin (IBIL), total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), globulin (GLO), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). There was a postpartum subclinical ketosis incidence of 42.25%. Compared with prepartum, plasma, levels of BHBA, AST, and NEFA significantly increased postpartum, and prepartum AST (R=0.57) and NEFA (R=0.45) showed a significant positive correlation with ketosis postpartum. Plasma GLU level significantly decreased postpartum and was significantly negatively correlated with ketosis (R=-0.21). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed prepartum BSC < 2.88, and prepartum plasma AST > 68.0 U/L, GLU < 3.97mmol/L, NEFA > 0.27mmol/L, and BHBA > 0.43mmol/L, indicating a high risk of subclinical ketosis postpartum. These levels can be used as risk indicators to predict the occurrence of subclinical ketosis in postpartum cows.

RESUMO O objetivo do presente estudo foi investigar a influência de mudanças patológicas de plasma antes de inseminação artificial (TAI) na gestação de vacas. O conteúdo de estrogênio (E2), progesterona (P4), glucose (Glu), selênio (Se), fator neurotrófico derivado do cérebro (BDNF), e histamina (HIS) no plasma de 48 vacas Holstein foi medido antes de TAI. De acordo com a detecção de estro, as vacas foram divididas em dois grupos: estro (E) e anestro (A). Após teste de gestação 28 d após TAI, dois grupos de E e A foram formados em gestação positiva do grupo E (EP+), gestação negativa do grupo E (EP-), gestação positiva do grupo A (AP+), e gestação negativa do grupo A (AP-). Os valores de E2, P4, Glu, Se, BDNF e hIS foram significativamente diferentes entre os quatro grupos (P<0,01). A análise ROC foi utilizada para determinar o risco de teste de gestação negativo (-) após aumento de TAI quando plasma E2 estava abaixo de 46,45 pmol/L em vacas antes de TAI. Alterações em E2, P4,hIS, Glu e BDNF no sangue de estro natural e anestro natural em vacas afetou a gestação após TAI. O nível de E2 no plasma pode ser usado para avaliar o risco de gestação negativa após TAI.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of plasma pathological changes before timed artificial insemination (TAI) on pregnancy of cows. The contents of estrogen (E2), progesterone (P4), glucose (Glu), selenium (Se), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and histamine (HIS) in plasma of 48 Holstein cows were measured before TAI. According to the estrus detection, the cows were divided into estrus (E) and anestrus (A) groups. After pregnancy testing at 28 d after TAI, two groups of E and A were divided into positive pregnancy of E group (EP+), negative pregnancy of E group (EP-), positive pregnancy of A group (AP+), and negative pregnancy of A group (AP-). The contents of E2, P4, Glu, Se, BDNF and hIS significantly differed among the four groups (P<0.01). The ROC analysis was used to determine the risk of negative pregnancy test (-) after TAI was increased when plasma E2 was less than 46.45 pmol/L in cows before TAI. The changes in E2, P4,hIS, Glu, and BDNF in the blood of natural estrus and natural anestrus cows affected the pregnancy after TAI. the level of E2 in plasma may be used to assess the risk of negative pregnancy after TAI.

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to assess the effect of selenium-enriched Candida utilis with high contents of organic selenium (Se) and glutathione (GSH) on growth performance, antioxidant capacity and immune function of broiler chickens. A total of 100 healthy 7-day-old male broiler chickens were randomly divided into 5 groups, and fed diets supplemented with (a) Na2SeO3, (b) C. utilis, (c) Se-enriched Saccharomyces cerevisiae, (d) Se-enriched C. utilis, and (e) the control without any supplements. The experiment lasted for 6 weeks and parameters were recorded on day 42. No significant differences in average daily gain were found among the 5 groups. However, Se-enriched C. utilis supplemented in the diet increased activities of glutathione peroxidase in the whole blood (p<0.01), catalase in the serum (p<0.01) and breast meat (p<0.01), and superoxide dismutase in the breast meat (p<0.01), as well as decreased contents of malondialdehyde in the serum (p<0.01), liver (p<0.01) and breast meat (p<0.05). Also, Se-enriched C. utilis improved titers of IgG (p<0.01), IgM (p<0.01), and IgA (p<0.01) in the serum, as compared to the control. All these results indicated that Se-enriched C. utilis was a good candidate of dietary supplement to improve the antioxidant capacity and immune function of broiler chickens.

Abstract To ensure safety standards of drinking water, it is essential to perform NO3 remediation in groundwater. Owing to the lack of organic carbon in groundwater, heterotrophic denitrification is not quite effective in groundwater. Few studies have reported how Chinese lignite can be used as an organic carbon source for denitrification. In simulated conditions of groundwater, we determined whether the four lignite types (Lignite was obtained from Sanjitun, Lingshi, Wangniutan, and Zhaotong in China.) could be used as a solid-phase organic carbon source for denitrification; the analyses were performed in a test water column. For denitrification, the most effective carbon source was the lignite obtained from Wangniutan. It showed the highest efficacy of 34% in nitrate (NO3) removal for an influent NO3-N concentration of 30 mg· L−1. The effluent NO3-N concentrations below 20 mg L−1 and the water samples showed no acute toxicity when they were subjected to luminescent bacteria test. We performed static carbon release test and infrared spectral analysis on all the four lignite types, and we found that there was a direct relation between NO3 removal and the lignite’s ability for static carbon release. When NO3 concentrations were high and the rate of static carbon release was low, the efficacy of denitrification was greater. This effect was achieved when the molecular structure of lignite contained small molecular organic compounds in free states; these compounds primarily included the following functional groups: alcohols, phenols, and organic acids. These compounds were primarily used by the denitrifying bacteria.

The effects of temperature and atmosphere during cooling on the leachability of chromium from stainless steel slag were investigated. Experiments were performed under an oxidizing atmosphere in a muffle furnace and in a reducing atmosphere in an induction furnace. The slags were subjected to leaching tests using the standard procedure prEN12457-2. Results indicated that an oxidizing atmosphere enhances the leachability of chromium and that the extent of leaching increases with temperature. A reducing atmosphere tends to suppress the leaching of chromium. Differences between the chromium leached from the samples cooled under different atmospheres revealed that it is difficult for CO to completely reduce chromium Cr6+ to Cr³+ once hexavalent chromium has been generated. Therefore, it is necessary to utilize a neutral or reducing atmosphere for cooling the slag so as to prevent the formation of hexavalent chromium.

ABSTRACT Background: Eggshell ultrastructure organization, including effective layer thickness, mammillary layer thickness, and average size of mammillary cones, is important for breeding and significantly influences eggshell mechanical properties. Several matrix proteins were known to be important in eggshell formation. However, the proteins and variations that determine eggshell ultrastructure organization are not known. Results: In this study, 17 single-nucleotide polymorphisms of three major genes in a hen population using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Five single-nucleotide polymorphisms with a very low minor allele frequency (< 1%) were excluded from further analysis. The remaining 12 single-nucleotide polymorphisms in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were used for analysis of associations with eggshell ultrastructure organization. Associations were found for (i) ovocleidin-116 with effective layer thickness (EFF), mammillary layer thickness (MAM), and average size of mammillary cones (SMAM); (ii) ovalbumin with eggshell thickness (ESH), effective layer thickness, and density of the mammillary cone (DMAM); and (iii) calmodulin1 with density of the mammillary cone. Conclusions: The single-nucleotide polymorphisms identified in the present study may be used as potential markers to improve eggshell quality.

Adiponectin is a multifunctional adipokine that has several oligomeric forms in the blood stream, which broadly regulates innate and acquired immunity. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to observe the differentiation of T helper (Th) cells and expression of costimulatory signaling molecules affected by adiponectin. The mRNA and protein expression levels of adiponectin and its receptors in oxidized low density lipoprotein cholesterol-treated endothelial cells were assayed by real time PCR and immunofluorescence. The endothelial cells were then treated with adiponectin with or without adipoR1 or adipoR2 siRNA and co-cultured with T lymphocytes. The distribution of Th1, Th2 and Th17 subsets were assayed by flow cytometry. The effects of adiponectin on costimulatory signaling molecules HLA-DR, CD80, CD86 and CD 40 was also assayed by flow cytometry. The results showed that endothelial cells expressed adiponectin and its receptor adipoR1 and adipoR2, but not T-cadherin. Adiponectin suppressed Th1 and Th17 differentiation through adipoR1 receptor, contributed to the inhibition of CD80 and CD40, and inhibited differentiation of Th1 and Th17 by inhibiting antigen presenting action.

Mining and related activities caused plant productivity and soil carbon content reduced in arid and semi-arid ecosystems. Soil carbon plays an essential role in ecosystem stability. Soil carbon and associated changes in soil property were important drivers and indicators of ecosystem recovery at post-mining areas. We selected 5, 10 and 20 years of restoration lands to examine the effect of artificial grassland on vegetation community and soil property. Results showed that artificial grassland markedly increased the biomass, canopy coverage and soil carbon content, but decreased soil bulk density and soil water content. After 10-year of restoration, both the biomass and soil organic carbon (SOC) content reached the peak, however, soil bulk density and soil water content arrived the lowest at depth of 0-20 cm and got the highest at depth of 20-30 cm. At 20-year of restoration land, the biomass (above- and belowground) and SOC content (0-30 cm) significantly decreased by 46.2 % and 67.0 % with compared to 10-year of restoration land, while soil bulk density of 0-10 cm and 10-20 cm depths increased by 7.8 % and 21.4 %, respectively, soil water content (0-30 cm) increased by 11.6 % . It was evident that artificial grassland as an effective ecological restoration approach could improve soil physic-chemical property, while properly anthropogenic perturbations were also needed to stimulate plant growth.

Accumulating evidence has suggested that high salt and potassium might be associated with vascular function. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of salt intake and potassium supplementation on brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (PWV) in Chinese subjects. Forty-nine subjects (28-65 years of age) were selected from a rural community of northern China. All subjects were sequentially maintained on a low-salt diet for 7 days (3.0 g/day NaCl), a high-salt diet for an additional 7 days (18.0 g/day NaCl), and a high-salt diet with potassium supplementation for a final 7 days (18.0 g/day NaCl+4.5 g/day KCl). Brachial-ankle PWV was measured at baseline and on the last day of each intervention. Blood pressure levels were significantly increased from the low-salt to high-salt diet, and decreased from the high-salt diet to high-salt plus potassium supplementation. Baseline brachial-ankle PWV in salt-sensitive subjects was significantly higher than in salt-resistant subjects. There was no significant change in brachial-ankle PWV among the 3 intervention periods in salt-sensitive, salt-resistant, or total subjects. No significant correlations were found between brachial-ankle PWV and 24-h sodium and potassium excretions. Our study indicates that dietary salt intake and potassium supplementation, at least in the short term, had no significant effect on brachial-ankle PWV in Chinese subjects.

The kinetics of ethyl carbamate (EC) formation was investigated during wine storage to evaluate the potential risk of EC formation in wine. The study monitored the EC, urea and citrulline concentration at different storage temperatures and wine pH. We found that temperature and initial urea content had significant effects on EC formation. The decay of urea and citrulline fit a first-order reaction approaching equilibrium, but the pH has little effect on the content of ethyl carbamate. Based on these results, we constructed an equation to forecast the content of ethyl carbamate during wine storage.

The present study focuses on the neuroprotective effect of glycyrrhizic acid (GA, a major compound separated from Glycyrrhiza Radix, which is a crude Chinese traditional drug) against glutamate-induced cytotoxicity in differentiated PC12 (DPC12) cells. The results showed that GA treatment improved cell viability and ameliorated abnormal glutamate-induced alterations in mitochondria in DPC12 cells. GA reversed glutamate-suppressed B-cell lymphoma 2 levels, inhibited glutamate-enhanced expressions of Bax and cleaved caspase 3, and reduced cytochrome C (Cyto C) release. Exposure to glutamate strongly inhibited phosphorylation of AKT (protein kinase B) and extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs); however, GA pretreatment enhanced activation of ERKs but not AKT. The presence of PD98059 (a mitogen-activated protein/extracellular signal-regulated kinase kinase [MEK] inhibitor) but not LY294002 (a phosphoinositide 3-kinase [PI3K] inhibitor) diminished the potency of GA for improving viability of glutamate-exposed DPC12 cells. These results indicated that ERKs and mitochondria-related pathways are essential for the neuroprotective effect of GA against glutamate-induced toxicity in DPC12 cells. The present study provides experimental evidence supporting GA as a potential therapeutic agent for use in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

OBJECTIVE: This study analyses the different parts of the upper airway space and the changes in hyoid position. The results provide a clinical reference for developing timely and effective treatment programmes for patients with mandibular fractures caused by maxillofacial trauma. METHODS: Standard X-cephalometric measurements of the lateral skull of 210 subjects were taken. The subjects were divided into four fracture groups: condylar, mandibular angle, mandibular body, and parasymphyseal. RESULTS: The radiographs of the mandibular fracture groups were compared with the normal occlusion group to analyse the upper airway space and the changes in hyoid position. Different types of fractures have different effects on the upper airway space. Bilateral mandibular body fracture and the parasymphyseal fracture have a significant influence on the lower oropharyngeal and laryngopharyngeal airway spaces, with serious obstructions severely restricting the ventilatory function ofpatients. CONCLUSIONS: Fractures at different parts of the mandibular structure are closely related to the upper airway and hyoid position.

OBJETIVO: Este estudio analiza las diferentes partes del espacio de las vías respiratorias superiores y los cambios de posición hioidea. Los resultados proporcionan una referencia clínica para desarrollar programas de tratamiento oportuno y eficaz para los pacientes con fracturas de la mandíbula, causadas por trauma maxilofacial. MÉTODOS: Se hicieron mediciones X-cefalométricas estándares del cráneo lateral a 210 sujetos. Los sujetos fueron divididos en cuatro grupos de fractura: ángulo mandibular, condilar, cuerpo mandibular y parasinfisaria. RESULTADOS: Las radiografías de los grupos de fractura mandibular fueron comparadas con el grupo de oclusión normal para analizar el espacio de las vías respiratorias superiores y los cambios de posición hioidea. Diferentes tipos de fracturas tienen diferentes efectos sobre el espacio de las vías respiratorias superiores. La fractura de cuerpo mandibular bilateral y la fractura de parasinfisaria tienen una influencia significativa en los espacios de las vías respiratorias orofaríngea y laringofaríngea inferiores, con serios obstáculos restringiendo severamente la función respiratoria de los pacientes. CONCLUSIONES: Las fracturas en diferentes partes de la estructura mandibular se hallan estrechamente vinculadas a las vías respiratorias superiores y a la posición hioidea.

The gas-liquid two-phase mass transfer process in microchannels is complicated due to the special dynamical characteristics. In this work, a novel method was explored to measure the liquid side volumetric mass transfer coefficient kLa. Pressure transducers were utilized to measure the pressure variation of upward gas-liquid two-phase flow in three vertical rectangular microchannels and the liquid side volumetric mass transfer coefficient kLa was calculated through the Pressure-Volume-Temperature correlation of the gas phase. Carbon dioxide-water, carbon dioxide-ethanol and carbon dioxide-n-propanol were used as working fluids, respectively. The dimensions of the microchannels were 40 µm×240 µm (depth×width), 100 µm×800 µm and 100 µm×2000 µm, respectively. Results showed that the channel diameter and the capillary number influence kLa remarkably and that the maximum value of kLa occurs in the annular flow regime. A new correlation of kLa was proposed based on the Sherwood number, Schmidt number and the capillary number. The predicted values of kLa agreed well with the experimental data.