RESUMO O nitrogênio (N) afeta fortemente o crescimento das plantas. No entanto, pouco se sabe sobre os efeitos da relação amônio/nitrato no pakchoi (Brassica rapa), especialmente no conteúdo de glucosinolatos (GSs) envolvidos na defesa das plantas e muitos deles benéficos à saúde humana. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos de um suprimento constante de N (8 mM), mas com cinco proporções de amônio/nitrato (ou seja, 0/8 mM, 2/6 mM, 4/4 mM, 6/2 mM e 8/0 mM) sobre o crescimento de pakchoi em um sistema hidropônico em 2 anos. Nos dois anos, uma maior biomassa (peso seco) foi observada nos tratamentos 4/4 e 2/6 de amônio/nitrato (2,3 e 2,2 vezes em comparação com 8/0, respectivamente), sem diferença significativa na biomassa entre esses dois tratamentos. A biomassa então diminuiu com proporções crescentes de amônio no suprimento de N de mais de 10 g/vaso para menos de 5 g/vaso. Os teores de N e enxofre foram fortemente afetados nos tratamentos com nitrato ou amônio, assim como os teores de clorofila, luteína e β-caroteno. A maioria dos glucosinolatos individuais (GSs) detectados no pakchoi apresentou as maiores concentrações no tratamento com apenas amônio. A relação amônio/nitrato também afetou os tipos de GSs. A maior proporção de indolil GSs e a menor proporção de GSs aromático estavam no tratamento com apenas amônio. Concluímos que um alto nível de amônio diminui a biomassa, mas aumenta as concentrações de GSs no pakchoi. Estudos adicionais são necessários para explorar a diferença no metabolismo dos GSs entre plantas fornecidas com diferentes proporções de amônio/nitrato.

ABSTRACT Nitrogen (N) strongly affects plant growth. However, little is known about the effects of the ammonium/nitrate ratio on pakchoi (Brassica rapa), especially its glucosinolates (GSs) contents which are involved in plant defense and many of them benefit to human health. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a constant N supply (8 mM) but with five ammonium/nitrate ratios (namely 0/8 mM, 2/6 mM, 4/4 mM, 6/2 mM and 8/0 mM) on the growth of pakchoi in a hydroponic system in 2 years. In both years, a higher biomass (dry weight) was in the 4/4 and 2/6 ammonium/nitrate treatments (2.3 and 2.2-fold compared to 8/0, respectively), with no significant difference in biomass between these two treatments. The biomass then decreased with increasing proportions of ammonium in the N supply from more than 10 g/pot to below 5 g/pot. The N and sulfur contents were strongly affected in the sole nitrate or ammonium treatments, as were the contents of chlorophyll, lutein, and β-carotene. Most of the individual glucosinolates (GSs) detected in pakchoi showed the highest concentrations in the sole ammonium treatment. The ammonium/nitrate ratio also affected the types of GSs. The highest proportion of indolyl GSs and the lowest proportion of aromatic GSs were in the sole ammonium treatment. We concluded that a high ammonium level decreases the biomass but increases the GSs concentrations in pakchoi. Further studies are required to explore the difference in GSs metabolism among plants supplied with different ammonium/nitrate ratios.

ABSTRACT We propose a segmentation algorithm for raisin extraction. The proposed approach consists of the following aspects. Deep learning is used to predict the number of raisins in each connected region, and the shape features such as the roundness, area, X-axis value for the centroid, Y-axis value for the centroid, axis length and perimeter of each region will be used to establish the prediction model. Morphological analysis, based on edge parameters including the polar axis, polar angle and angular velocity, is applied to search for the suitable break points that are useful for identifying the dividing lines between two adjacent raisins. To make our segmentation more accurate, some machine-learning algorithms such as the random forest (RF), support vector machine (SVM) and deep learning (deep neural network, DNN) are applied to predict the number of raisins and to decide whether the raisins need more segmentation. The performance of the three models is compared, and the DNN is the most accurate.

This work presented the first study of organocatalytic behaviors of inherently chiral calix[4]arenes substituted at the lower rim. A pair of N, O-type enantiomers based on inherently chiral calix[4]arenes substituted at the lower rim were readily synthesized and applied to catalyze Henry reaction between aromatic aldehydes and nitromethane. Their organocatalytic reaction can afford the desired products in excellent yields (up to 99%) but poor enantioselectivities (up to 7.5% ee).

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate the possibility of using peripheral-blood presurfactant protein B (Pro-SFTPB) for screening non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: A total of 873 healthy volunteers and 165 lung cancer patients hospitalized in the Fifth People’s Hospital of Dalian were tested Pro-SFTPB once every half year from January 2014 to September 2015. The healthy volunteers were also conducted spiral computed tomography (CT) examination once every year. The data were then com-pared and statistically analyzed. Results: The positive expression rate of Pro-SFTPB in NSCLC was significantly higher than that in healthy volunteers, and significantly higher in lung adenocarcinoma than in squamous cell carcinoma; additionally, the expression rate was increased with the in-crease of smoking index, and the intergroup differences showed statistical signifi-cance (p≤0.05). The positive rate of newly diagnosed lung cancer was 29.55%, higher than healthy volunteers (22.34%), but there was no significant difference (p>0.05). Conclusion: Pro-SFTPB is over expressed in non-small cell lung cancer, especially in lung adeno-carcinoma, but it can’t be used as a clinical screening tool for lung cancer.

It is well known that the type III secretion system (T3SS) and type III (T3) effectors are essential for the pathogenicity of most bacterial phytopathogens and that the expression of T3SS and T3 effectors is suppressed in rich media but induced in minimal media and plants. To facilitate in-depth studies on T3SS and T3 effectors, it is crucial to establish a medium for T3 effector expression and secretion. Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (Xcc) is a model bacterium for studying plant-pathogen interactions. To date no medium for Xcc T3 effector secretion has been defined. Here, we compared four minimal media (MME, MMX, XVM2, and XOM2) which are reported for T3 expression induction in Xanthomonas spp. and found that MME is most efficient for expression and secretion of Xcc T3 effectors. By optimization of carbon and nitrogen sources and pH value based on MME, we established XCM1 medium, which is about 3 times stronger than MME for Xcc T3 effectors secretion. We further optimized the concentration of phosphate, calcium, and magnesium in XCM1 and found that XCM1 with a lower concentration of magnesium (renamed as XCM2) is about 10 times as efficient as XCM1 (meanwhile, about 30 times stronger than MME). Thus, we established an inducing medium XCM2 which is preferred for T3 effector secretion in Xcc.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of combining artemether (AM) and praziquantel (PZQ) in different regimens for treating acute schistosomiasis japonica. METHODS: We undertook a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial within four specialized schistosomiasis hospitals in the Dongting Lake region, Hunan province, China, between May 2003 and December 2005. Study participants were randomized into one of four treatment regimes: group A received 60 mg/kg PZQ + 6 mg/kg AM; group B received 60 mg/kg PZQ + AM placebo; group C received 120 mg/kg PZQ + 6 mg/kg AM; and group D received 120 mg/kg PZQ + AM placebo. All participants were followed up over a 45-day period. The primary endpoint of the trial was human infection status (determined by positive stool examination). Secondary endpoints involved clinical observations and blood biochemistry, including monitoring haemoglobin and alanine aminotransferase levels over time. FINDINGS: Treatment efficacies of the four different treatment regimens were 98.0%, 96.4%, 97.7% and 95.7% for group A, B, C, and D respectively (P > 0.05). The group B had a greater treatment efficacy (96.4%) than the group D (95.7%) (P > 0.05). Group A treatment was better for clearance of fever (P < 0.05) and resulted in a shorter hospitalization time (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This is the first report of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial for evaluating combined chemotherapy with AM and two different dosages (60 mg/kg and 120 mg/kg) of PZQ in the treatment of acute schistosomiasis japonica in China. The combination of AM and PZQ chemotherapy did not improve treatment efficacy compared with PZQ alone. PZQ given as a dosage of 60 mg/kg (1 day, 3 × 20 mg/kg doses at 4-5 hour intervals) may be as effective as a dosage of 120 mg/kg (6 days, 20 mg/kg for each day split into 3 doses at 4-5 hour intervals).

OBJETIVO: Evaluar la seguridad y eficacia de la combinación de artemetero (AM) y prazicuantel (PZQ) en diferentes posologías para tratar la esquistosomiasis japonesa aguda. MÉTODOS: Entre mayo de 2003 y diciembre de 2005 se realizó un ensayo aleatorizado a doble ciego controlado con placebo en cuatro hospitales especializados en la esquistosomiasis de la región del lago Dongting, en la provincia china de Hunan. Los participantes en el estudio se repartieron aleatoriamente entre cuatro grupos sometidos a distintas pautas de tratamiento: el grupo A recibió 60 mg/kg PZQ + 6 mg/kg AM; el grupo B, 60 mg/kg PZQ + placebo de AM; el grupo C, 120 mg/kg PZQ + 6 mg/kg AM; y el grupo D, 120 mg/kg PZQ + placebo de AM. Todos los participantes fueron sometidos a seguimiento durante un periodo de 45 días. El criterio principal de valoración empleado en el ensayo fue la presencia de la infección (examen coproparasitoscópico positivo). Como criterios secundarios de valoración se emplearon los resultados de la exploración clínica y de los análisis bioquímicos sanguíneos, en particular la evolución de los niveles de hemoglobina y de alanina-aminotransferasa. RESULTADOS: La eficacia de las cuatro pautas de tratamiento fue del 98,0%, 96,4%, 97,7% y 95,7% para los grupos A, B, C y D, respectivamente (p > 0,05). La eficacia fue mayor en el grupo B (98%) que en el D (95,7%) (p > 0,05). El tratamiento recibido por el grupo A eliminó más eficazmente la fiebre (p < 0,05) y acortó el tiempo de hospitalización (p < 0,05). CONCLUSIÓN: Este es el primer trabajo publicado sobre un ensayo aleatorizado a doble ciego controlado con placebo destinado a evaluar la antibioticoterapia combinada con AM y dos posologías diferentes (60 mg/kg y 120 mg/kg) de PZQ como tratamiento de la esquistosomiasis japonesa aguda en China. La combinación de AM y PZQ no mejoró la eficacia del tratamiento en comparación con el uso aislado de PZQ. El PZQ administrado en dosis de 60 mg/kg (1 día, 3 tomas de 20 mg/kg a intervalos de 4-5 horas) puede ser tan eficaz como en dosis de 120 mg/kg (6 días, 20 mg/kg cada día repartidos en 3 tomas a intervalos de 4-5 horas)

OBJECTIF: Evaluer l'innocuité et l'efficacité de l'association artéméther (AM)/praziquantel (PZQ) dans le cadre de différents schémas thérapeutiques contre la schistosomiase asiatique aiguë. MÉTHODES: Nous avons entrepris un essai contrôlé randomisé en double aveugle dans quatre hôpitaux spécialisés dans la schistosomiase de la région du lac de Dongting, dans la province du Hunan, en Chine, entre mai 2003 et décembre 2005. Aux participants à l'étude, on a affecté au hasard l'un des quatre schémas thérapeutiques suivants : le groupe A a reçu 60 mg/kg de PZQ + 6 mg/kg d'AM ; le groupe B a reçu 60 mg/kg de PZQ + placebo de l'AM ; le groupe C a reçu 120 mg/kg de PZQ + 6 mg/kg d'AM ; et le groupe D a reçu 120 mg/kg de PZQ + placebo de l'AM. Tous les participants ont été suivis sur une période de 45 jours. La principale mesure de résultat pour l'essai était le statut infectieux des sujets (déterminé par le résultat de l'examen de selles). Parmi les mesures de résultat secondaires, figuraient des observations cliniques et des analyses biochimiques du sang, notamment la surveillance des taux d'hémoglobine et d'alanine aminotransférase au cours du temps. RÉSULTATS: L'efficacité du traitement par les quatre schémas thérapeutiques était respectivement de 98,0 %, 96,4 %, 97,7 % et 95,7 % pour les groupes A, B, C et D (p > 0,05). Le traitement du groupe B s'est révélé plus efficace (98 %) que celui du groupe D (95,7 %) (p > 0,05). Le traitement du groupe A a permis une meilleure élimination de la fièvre (p < 0,05) et une durée d'hospitalisation plus courte (p < 0,05). CONCLUSION: C'est la première fois qu'on rapporte un essai contrôlé randomisé en double aveugle visant à évaluer l'association médicamenteuse AM/PZQ et deux doses différentes (60 et 120 mg/kg) de PZQ dans le traitement de la schistosomiase asiatique aiguë en Chine. Le recours à l'association médicamenteuse AM/PZQ n'a pas amélioré l'efficacité du traitement par rapport à l'administration de PZQ seul. Le PZQ pourrait être aussi efficace à la dose de 60 mg/kg (sur une journée, 3 doses de 20 mg/kg à 4-5 heures d'intervalle) qu'à celle de 120 mg/kg (sur 6 jours, 20 mg/kg chaque jour, répartis en 3 doses à 4-5 heures d'intervalle).