ABSTRACT Soil salinization is more aggravating than ever before and techniques are needed to mitigate this problem; understanding salinity-fertilizer relationship is of considerable economic importance for promoting crop growth and productivity in saline soil. A pot experiment was done in a greenhouse to determine whether the N could alleviate the negative effect of different salts compositions on the growth, and physiological attributes of the two most used Sudan sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) cultivars (Wadahmed and Tabat). The plant was subjected to the salt stress at 0, 0.3419 M NaCl, and 0.1408 M Na2SO4, and four levels of N application 0, 4, 8, and 12 g N kg-1 soil, designated as N0, N1, N2, and N3, respectively. Results showed that Na2SO4 was reduced plant height, leaf area index, number of leaves, dry weight (DW), chlorophyll a, total chlorophyll content, and increased soluble protein content, activities of peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) activities by 16.4%, 29.7%, 61.5%, 28.7%, 39.6%, 12.7%, 99.7%, 34.3%, 51.8%, respectively, when compared with the non-saline treatment. The Na2SO4 salt had a more harmful effect than NaCl. This study revealed that N fertilizer was successful for alleviating the adverse impacts of both types of salt. In this study, 12 g N kg-1 soil was most effective on most of the measured parameters of two sorghum cultivars. These findings demonstrated that the N soil amendment application could alleviate the harmful impact of salinity. ‘Wadahmed’ was more tolerant to salinity stress than ‘Tabat’ during the boot stage of sorghum plant.

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the risk factors of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in premature infants and the clinical application value of lung ultrasound in the diagnosis of bronchopulmonary dysplasia. METHODS: A total of 80 premature infants with a gestational age of <32 weeks or a birth weight of <1,500 g who were treated in our hospital from January to August 2021 were randomly divided into a bronchopulmonary dysplasia group (n=12) and a non-bronchopulmonary dysplasia group (n=62). The clinical data, lung ultrasound, and X-ray image characteristics of the two groups were compared. RESULTS: Among the 74 preterm infants, 12 preterm infants were diagnosed with bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and 62 preterm infants were determined not to have bronchopulmonary dysplasia. There were significant differences in sex, severe asphyxia, invasive mechanical ventilation, premature membrane ruptures, and intrauterine infection between the two groups (p<0.05). Lung ultrasound showed abnormal pleural lines and alveolar-interstitial syndrome in all 12 patients with bronchopulmonary dysplasia and vesicle inflatable signs in 3 patients. Before clinical diagnosis, the accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of lung ultrasound in the diagnosis of bronchopulmonary dysplasia were 98.65, 100, 98.39, 92.31, and 100%, respectively. The accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of X-rays in the diagnosis of bronchopulmonary dysplasia were 85.14, 75.00, 87.10, 52.94, and 94.74%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The diagnostic efficiency of lung ultrasound for premature bronchopulmonary dysplasia is better than that of X-rays. The application of lung ultrasound can screen patients with bronchopulmonary dysplasia early for timely intervention.

Abstract Dendrobium nobile is a traditional Chinese medicine and functional food in China, with anti-aging, immunity-enhancing, glucose-lowering and lipid-lowering health functions. In recent years, the research value of D. nobile has attracted the attention of more and more experts and scholars. Today, phytochemical investigation of the stems of Dendrobium nobile Lindl., led to the isolation of five sesquiterpene glycosides, including dendromoniliside D (1), dendronobiloside A (2), dendronobiloside C (3), dendronobiloside D (4), dendroside G (5) and their α-amylase and α-glycosidase inhibitory activities were also investigated. Among them, dendromoniliside D (1), dendroside G (5) were first isolated from D. nobile. And dendronobiloside A (2) and dendronobiloside C (3) exhibited better inhibitory activity against α-glycosidases, respectively. In the case of α-amylase inhibition, dendroside G (5) has a relatively good effect. These results suggest that sesquiterpene glycosides of D. nobile have potential hypoglycemic activity and deserve further research and development.

ABSTRACT Clay soil results in higher crop yield and quality than sandy soil. However, irrigation causes clay soil to slump easily, increasing compactness and decreasing soil oxygen content. This study investigated the effects of dry seeding and wet emergence on the soil microenvironment and cotton growth promotion in Xinjiang silt loam fields. The experimental design included three aerated and three non-aerated treatments. The results showed that aerated irrigation decreased dry density of the 0–20 cm soil layer to different degrees, the field capacity increased to different degrees, and the dry density and field capacity of the 20-30 cm soil layer did not change among the different treatments. The dry density and field capacity of WP2 treatment changed the most, the dry density of 0-10 cm and 10-20 cm soil layer were respectively 1.28 g cm-3 and 1.27 g cm-3, and the field capacity were respectively 35.23% and 35.7%. Under the same irrigation quota, the soil water content of the aerated treatments was lower than that of the non-aerated treatments. Aerated irrigation inhibited the horizontal diffusion of water and facilitated downward water transport. The WP2 treatment had the highest peak soil temperature at depths of 10 and 20 cm, and the WP2 treatment had the highest numbers of bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, urease, and catalase activities, seedling emergence, primary root length, plant height, and stem thickness.

Abstract Background: G protein coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2) has been demonstrated to play a crucial role in the development of chronic pain. Acupuncture is an alternative therapy widely used for pain management. In this study, we investigated the role of spinal neuronal GRK2 in electroacupuncture (EA) analgesia. Methods: The mice model of inflammatory pain was built by subcutaneous injection of Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA) into the plantar surface of the hind paws. The mechanical allodynia of mice was examined by von Frey test. The mice were subjected to EA treatment (BL60 and ST36 acupuncture points) for 1 week. Overexpression and down-regulation of spinal neuronal GRK2 were achieved by intraspinal injection of adeno associated virus (AAV) containing neuron–specific promoters, and microglial activation and neuroinflammation were evaluated by real–time PCR. Results: Intraplantar injection with CFA in mice induced the decrease of GRK2 and microglial activation along with neuroinflammation in spinal cord. EA treatment increased the spinal GRK2, reduced neuroinflammation, and significantly decreased CFA–induced mechanical allodynia. The effects of EA were markedly weakened by non–cell–specific downregulation of spinal GRK2. Further, intraspinal injection of AAV containing neuron–specific promoters specifically downregulated neuronal GRK2, and weakened the regulatory effect of EA on CFA–induced mechanical allodynia and microglial activation. Meanwhile, overexpression of spinal neuronal GRK2 decreased mechanical allodynia. All these indicated that the neuronal GRK2 mediated microglial activation and neuroinflammation, and subsequently contributed to CFA–induced inflammatory pain. Conclusion: The restoration of the spinal GRK2 and subsequent suppression of microglial activation and neuroinflammation might be an important mechanism for EA analgesia. Our findings further suggested that the spinal GRK2, especially neuronal GRK2, might be the potential target for EA analgesia and pain management, and we provided a new experimental basis for the EA treatment of pain.

Abstract Utilization of the huge quantity of sawdust wastes is urgent. In this study, SPORL, dilute acid pretreatment (DA), formic acid pretreatment (FA), ethanol pretreatment (EtOH/H2O), and sulfuric acid catalyzed ethanol pretreatment (EtOH/H2O/H2SO4), on improving enzymatic hydrolysis of mixed sawdust wastes were comprehensively compared. EtOH/H2O/H2SO4 was the most effective pretreatment in lignin removal from sawdust fiber cell wall, while FA was much more effective in hemicellulose removal. After the pretreatments, the crystallinity of cellulose increased because of the removal of amorphous hemicellulose and lignin. Moreover, the fiber surface became coarse and porous, especially after EtOH/H2O/H2SO4, the structure was destroyed into fragments, which enhanced the cellulase accessibility of cellulose. Therefore, the glucose yield of EtOH/H2O/H2SO4 pretreated substrate was highest among these five pretreatments, achieved at 91.4% with a cellulase loading of only 10 FPU/g glucan.

Resumen Es urgente aprovechar la gran cantidad de residuos de aserrín. En este estudio, SPORL, pretratamiento con ácido diluido (DA), pretratamiento con ácido fórmico (FA), pretratamiento con etanol (EtOH/H2O) y pretratamiento con etanol catalizado con ácido sulfúrico (EtOH/H2O/H2SO4), sobre la mejora de la hidrólisis enzimática de residuos de aserrín mezclado fueron comparados de manera integral. EtOH/H2O/H2SO4 fue el pretratamiento más eficaz para eliminar la lignina de la pared celular de la fibra de aserrín, mientras que el FA fue mucho más eficaz para eliminar la hemicelulosa. Después de los pretratamientos, la cristalinidad de la celulosa aumentó debido a la eliminación de hemicelulosa amorfa y lignina. Además, la superficie de la fibra se volvió gruesa y porosa, especialmente después de EtOH/H2O/H 2SO4, la estructura se destruyó en fragmentos, lo que mejoró la accesibilidad de celulasa de la celulosa. Por lo tanto, el rendimiento de glucosa del sustrato pretratado con EtOH/H2O/H 2SO4 fue el más alto entre estos cinco pretratamientos, alcanzado al 91,4% con una carga de celulasa de solo 10 FPU / g de glucano.

Abstract In this study, we investigated the preconsolidation pressure (P C) of sedimentary soft rock and its relationship with brittle-ductile transition (BDT) pressure. We proposed a generalized preconsolidation pressure (P G) suitable for both soil and sedimentary soft rock, which is defined in terms of the yield stress of the initial sediment structure under confined lateral compression. We then explored the digenetic effect on P G using 24 sediment types. Next, P G and BDT pressure were verified using confined compression and conventional triaxial tests, respectively, on red-bed soft rock in the Dingxi region of China. Finally, we discussed the BDT mechanism and analyzed the relationship between the two characteristic pressures for a given initial yield surface considered structural strength. We found that the relationship was dependent on the strength parameters, the initial structural strength, and the coefficient of earth pressure at rest. The findings of this study will have a significant impact on the determination of BDT pressure of sedimentary rock in future studies.

ABSTRACT: An imaginary part model of soil dielectric constant for predicting the soil salinity status was developed based on a series of relations between dielectric imaginary part and soil bulk conductivity, soil bulk conductivity and soil solution electrical conductivity, and soil solution electrical conductivity and ion contents in soil using pot trials with different soil salinity levels in the 2008 growing season. This model was calibrated and tested with data from the 2009 growing season. The results showed that the inverted values of the total concentration of salt (Sc), Cl−, and Ca2+ at low frequencies (P-band of microwave observations) from the imaginary part model fitted well with the observed values, since root mean square errors (RMSEs) were 0.34 g kg−1, 0.09 g kg−1 and 0.13 g kg−1, respectively, but the inversion effect of Na+ was relatively poor. Moreover, the Sc, Cl−, and Na+ could be well inverted at high frequencies (C-band of microwave observations), since RMSEs were minor, with values of 0.25 g kg−1, 0.02 g kg−1, and 0.15 g kg−1, respectively. The close fit between the observed and inverted values indicated that the present models could be used to estimate soil ion content quickly and reliably under different saline conditions, which, when suitable measures are taken, can be used to reduce the effects of soil salinity on crop growth.

In this study, a domestically advanced super-high heavy-hammer impact test machine system was used to perform horizontal impact tests on five 1/5 reduced scale models of stainless steel reinforced concrete piers with different ratios of longitudinal reinforcements. The impact velocity and force of the ship model, displacement of the specimen measurement point, reinforcement strain, cracks, and ultrasonic velocity data during the impact process were collected and analysed. The results showed that, under these test conditions, the increase of reinforcement ratio can improve the lateral impact resistance of reinforced concrete piers to a certain extent.

A series of cyclic energetic derivatives based on nitroguanidine and 1,1-diamino-2,2-dinitroethene were theoretically designed. The spatial structures, infrared spectrometry, heats of formation, electronic structures, detonation properties, and thermal stabilities of these designed compounds were fully investigated by density functional theory. It is found that all the designed compounds have moderate stabilities (bond dissociation energies range from 11.3 to 99.0 kJ mol-1), high crystal densities (from 1.9589 to 2.00188 g cm-3), high positive heats of formation (from 649.6 to 1060.8 kJ mol-1) and high positive heats of detonation (from 1074.77 to 1332.06 cal g-1) which lead to the excellent detonation properties (detonation velocities range from 8.71 to 9.05 km s-1 while detonation pressures range from 35.47 to 38.55 GPa). Electronic structures such as electrostatic potentials on the surface, electronic densities, highest occupied molecular orbitals, lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals and their energy gaps were also simulated to give a better understanding of chemical and physical properties of these compounds. All the data may shine lights on the explosive searching and synthesis.

This study was performed to examine whether the AF4/FMR2 family, member 1 (AFF1) rs340630 polymorphism is involved in the genetic background of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in a Chinese population. Two different study groups of RA patients and controls (328 RA patients and 449 healthy controls in the first study group; 232 RA patients and 313 controls in the second study group) were included in our study. Overall, there was no significant difference in either genotype (P=0.71 and 0.64 in the first and second study group, respectively) nor allele (in the first study group: A vs G, P=0.65, OR=1.05, 95%CI=0.85–1.29; in the second study group: G vs A, P=0.47, OR=1.10, 95%CI=0.86–1.40) frequencies of AFF1 rs340630 polymorphism between RA patients and controls. Our study represents the first report assessing the association of AFF1 rs340630 polymorphism with RA risk. No significant evidence was found for the dominant or recessive models. Further case-control studies with larger sample sizes and fine-mapping studies are needed to clarify the role of AFF1 in the genetic basis of RA.

We investigated the influence of apolipoprotein B gene (APOB) variants on the risk of hyperlipidemia (HL) in 631 middle-aged and elderly members of the Chinese Yugur population (HL, n=336; normolipidemia, n=295). APOB polymorphisms were identified using mass spectrometry, and five single nucleotide polymorphisms (rs1042034, rs2163204, rs512535, rs676210, and rs679899) and serum lipids were further analyzed. rs1042034 and rs676210 were significantly associated with HL (P<0.05). Compared with the GG or AA genotype, individuals with AG and AG+AA in rs1042034 and with AG and AG+GG in rs676210 had a 1.67-fold (95%CI=1.20–2.33),1.63-fold (95%CI=1.19–2.24), 1.72-fold (95%CI=1.24–2.40), and 1.67-fold (95%CI=1.21–2.291) increased risk of high HL, respectively. rs2163204 was in strong linkage disequilibrium with rs1042034, rs676210, and rs679899, and strong disequilibrium was observed between rs1042034 and rs676210 (D′>0.9). Compared with the GTGAA haplotype, haplotypes ATGGA and ATAGG were more strongly associated with HL [odds ratio (OR)=1.46, 95%CI=0.02–2.11; OR=1.63, 95%CI=1.03–2.60, respectively]. The risk factors age (P=0.008), body mass index (P<0.0001), GA+GG genotype in rs676210 (P=0.009), and alcohol consumption (P=0.056) contributed strongly to HL development. The A allele of rs1042034 and the G allele of rs676210 may thus predispose middle-aged and elderly members of the Chinese Yugur population to HL in combination with other genetic or nutritional factors, and could be used as new genetic markers for HL screening.

ABSTRACT The present study was carried out to investigate the influence of freezing-thawing cycles (0, 2, 4 and 6) on lipid oxidation and myowater contents and distribution. Nine replicates of chicken breast meat samples were used for each cycle. Lipid oxidation was determined by measuring peroxide value, and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations, which reflect thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS). Color was determined with a digital colorimeter. Muscle moisture contents were determined by drip loss and thawing loss, water holding capacity, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The results showed that, as the number of freeze-thaw cycles increased, meat redness decreased and MDA and peroxide values increased. Drip loss and thawing loss tended to decreasing as the number of freeze-thaw cycles increased. Water holding capacity also decreased as a function of increasing freeze-thaw cycles. NMR relaxometry profile showed freeze-thaw cycles change the water distribution of meat subjected to multiple freeze-thaw cycles. In conclusion, multiple freezing and thawing rate (6 cycles) increased lipid oxidation, decreased myowater, and impaired the color of chicken meat.

ABSTRACT Objective: It is agreed that methimazole (MMI) can be administered to induce hypothyroidism. However, there are conflicting data about its effect on thyroid function and development in rats through different administrations. In the present study, we established and compared differences of the rat hypothyroid model induced by MMI added to drinking water or given through an intragastric tube. Methods: Sixty-four male Wistar rats were randomly divided into seven groups. Methimazole was added to the drinking water (0.025%, 0.04% or 0.1% wt/vol), or through intragastric gavage (5 mg/100 g body weight (bw) or 8 mg/100 g bw) one time each day for 21 days. The rats were weighed every seven days. Blood samples were taken in order to detect the concentrations of serum triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4) and thyrotropin (TSH) at the end of the experiments. Results: Our results indicate that the effect of methimazole on a rat's thyroid function and body weight is similar in both the group given 0.1% concentration in drinking water and the group which received 8 mg/100 g bw once daily through the intragastric tube. Also, a similar effect was observed in the 0.025%, 0.04% and 5 mg/100 g bw groups. Conclusion: These findings suggest that a relationship between the concentration of MMI by oral administration and the dose of it through intragastric administration could exist, and may contribute to inducing hypothyroidism in rats.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Existe acuerdo en cuando a que el metimazol (MMI) puede ser administrado para inducir hipotiroidismo. Sin embargo, hay datos contradictorios en relación con su efecto sobre la función tiroidea y el desarrollo en ratas a través de diferentes administraciones. En el estudio actual, establecimos y comparamos las diferencias del modelo de hipotiroidismo en ratas. El hipotiroidismo es inducido añadiendo MMI al agua de beber, o suministrándolo a través de un tubo intragástrico. Métodos: Sesenta y cuatro ratas Wistar machos fueron divididas aleatoriamente en siete grupos. El metimazol fue añadido al agua de beber (0.025%, 0,04% ó 0.1% p/v), o suministrado mediante sonda intragástrica (5 mg/100 g de peso corporal (pc) ó 8 mg/100 g pc) una vez cada día por 21 días. Las ratas se pesaron cada 7 días. Se tomaron muestras de sangre para detectar las concentraciones de triyodotironina (T3), tiroxina (T4) y tirotropina (TSH) en suero al final de los experimentos. Resultados: Nuestros resultados indican que el efecto del metimazol sobre la función de la tiroides y el peso corporal de una rata es similar tanto en el grupo que recibió una concentración de 0.1% en el agua de beber como en el grupo que recibió 8 mg/100 g pc una vez al día a través de un tubo intragástrico. También se observó un efecto similar en los grupos de 0.025%, 0.04% y 5 mg/100 g pc. Conclusión: Estos resultados sugieren que podría existir una relación entre la concentración de MMI mediante administración oral y la dosis de la misma a través de administración intragástrica, lo cual puede contribuir a inducir hipotiroidismo en ratas.

<p>The inhibition mechanism of sodium oleate (C₁₇H₃₃COONa) for pitting corrosion of aluminum alloy (AA) 2024 in 0.1 mol L^-1 NaCl solution was investigated using potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectrometer (SEM-EDS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). C₁₇H₃₃COONa showed good inhibition effect on uniform corrosion of AA2024 in 0.1 mol L^-1 NaCl solution by promoting surface passivity of aluminum alloy. But in NaCl solution with high concentration (3.5 wt.% NaCl), C₁₇H₃₃COONa could not promote passivity of aluminum alloy. C₁₇H₃₃COONa also suppressed the tendency of pitting initiation and reduced the pitting corrosion sensitivity of aluminum alloy. The addition of 0.1 g L^-1 C₁₇H₃₃COONa showed good inhibition performance but further concentration increase had little effect on the inhibition efficiency. The C₁₇H₃₃COO− groups adsorbed on the surface of aluminum alloy by chemical adsorption effect, which promoted oxidation of the aluminum alloy surface.</p>