This work presented a new PEG modified calix[4]arene stationary phase (C4A-PEG-2PTSC) for gas chromatographic (GC) separations. The statically coated C4A-PEG-2PTSC column exhibited moderate polarity and column efficiency of 2224 plates m-1 determined by 1-octanol at 120 oC. The results showed that the C4A-PEG-2PTSC column exhibited the good separation performance for various types of analytes containing halogenated benzenes, benzaldehydes, phenols, alcohols, anilines isomers and showed the different retention behavior with the comparative columns. Importantly, it showed the better separation capacity of toluidine and xylidine isomers than commercial HP-35 column. Moreover, it was applied in practical sample analysis to detect the content of isomer impurities. This work exhibited the good application potential of C4A-PEG-2PTSC stationary phase in GC analyses.

ABSTRACT In response to the problems of high impurity content in ears and poor stalk crushing efficiency during the harvesting of fresh corn, a double fan high-pressure impurity removal and cleaning device was designed based on the operating conditions and mechanical analysis of harvester. Field trials were conducted using fan speed (1200 rpm, 1300 rpm and 1400 rpm) and harvester operating speed (6 km/h, 8 km/h and 10 km/h) as test conditions, with ear impurity content rate and stalk crushing length qualification rate as indicators. Ear impurity content rate ranged from 0.25% to 0.50% and stalk crushing length qualification rate ranged from 96.1% to 98.6%, with test results meeting operation standard under all test conditions. The designed device was able to meet the operational requirements.

Abstract Adaptation of photoperiod-sensitive japonica rice varieties from long-day (LD) to short-day (SD) conditions is impeded by their extremely early flowering in response to photoperiod change, but the genetic factor underlying this is still elusive. We detected mutations in Hd1 in Zhenjing2400 through gene mapping and sequencing analysis. Genome resequencing of the varieties Zhenjing2400 and Jiahe218 identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the other flowering-related genes Ehd1, SDG725, OsCOL15, DTH2, and DTH7. We constructed recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from a cross between Zhenjing2400 and Jiahe218, and selected homozygous lines with these six genes. We established that photoperiod insensitivity is caused by a defective Hd1 gene. In addition, the effect of Hd1 and Ehd1 on heading date was stronger than that of the other four genes. Measurements of agronomic traits and quality traits in homozygous lines demonstrated the superiority of the hd1 ehd1 genotype for eating quality and photoperiod-insensitive high yield. photoperiodsensitive sensitive longday long day LD (LD shortday short SD (SD change elusive Hd Zhenjing Zhenjing240 analysis Jiahe Jiahe21 SNPs (SNPs floweringrelated related Ehd SDG725 SDG OsCOL15 OsCOL DTH2 DTH DTH7 RILs (RILs addition hd ehd photoperiodinsensitive insensitive yield Zhenjing24 Jiahe2 SDG72 OsCOL1 Zhenjing2 SDG7

Abstract Measuring red blood cell survival (RBCS) by a carbon monoxide breath test can help diagnose and analyze disease type and progression of anemia. In this study, we reported the application of RBCS in the differential diagnosis of thalassemia and iron deficiency anemia (IDA). A total of 233 patients were selected in this study, including 48 IDA, 60 thalassemia, and 125 healthy individual controls. The endogenous alveolar CO of each subject was measured by RBCS-01 red blood cell lifespanmeter to obtain the RBCS values. The mean RBCS for mild β-thalassemia, severe β-thalassemia, α-thalassemia, IDA and the control were 67.5±22.0, 31.3±13.9, 69.3±27.7, 78.2±28.2 and 114.3±33.8 days, respectively (P<0.05). RBCS values for thalassemia and IDA patients showed obvious shorter lifespan compared to healthy controls. The cutoff points for thalassemia, IDA and control were <72.5 and <83.5, respectively. RBCS showed a strong positive correlation to red blood cells (RBC) and hemoglobin (HGB) in thalassemia patients. In IDA patients, RBCS demonstrated a moderate positive correlation with HGB, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and red cell distribution width (RDW). There were significant differences between RBCS in different types of thalassemia. RBCS by endogenous alveolar CO testing is a rapid and reliable method for the differential diagnosis of thalassemia and IDA.

OBJECTIVES: No studies have compared monoaxial and polyaxial pedicle screws with regard to the von Mises stress of the instrumentation, intradiscal pressures of the adjacent segment and adjacent segment degeneration. METHODS: Short-segment monoaxial/polyaxial pedicle screw fixation techniques were compared using finite element methods, and the redistributed T11-L1 segment range of motion, largest maximal von Mises stress of the instrumentation, and intradiscal pressures of the adjacent segment under displacement loading were evaluated. Radiographic results of 230 patients with traumatic thoracolumbar fractures treated with these fixations were reviewed, and the sagittal Cobb’s angle, vertebral body angle, anterior vertebral body height of the fractured vertebrae and adjacent segment degeneration were calculated and evaluated. RESULTS: The largest maximal values of the von Mises stress were 376.8 MPa for the pedicle screws in the short-segment monoaxial pedicle screw fixation model and 439.9 MPa for the rods in the intermediate monoaxial pedicle screw fixation model. The maximal intradiscal pressures of the upper adjacent segments were all greater than those of the lower adjacent segments. The maximal intradiscal pressures of the monoaxial pedicle screw fixation model were larger than those in the corresponding segments of the normal model. The radiographic results at the final follow-up evaluation showed that the mean loss of correction of the sagittal Cobb’s angle, vertebral body angle and anterior vertebral body height were smallest in the intermediate monoaxial pedicle screw fixation group. Adjacent segment degeneration was less likely to be observed in the intermediate polyaxial pedicle screw fixation group but more likely to be observed in the intermediate monoaxial pedicle screw fixation group. CONCLUSION: Smaller von Mises stress in the pedicle screws and lower intradiscal pressure in the adjacent segment were observed in the polyaxial screw model than in the monoaxial pedicle screw fixation spine models. Fracture-level fixation could significantly correct kyphosis and reduce correction loss, and adjacent segment degeneration was less likely to be observed in the intermediate polyaxial pedicle screw fixation group.

Rhein is a primary anthraquinone found in the roots of a traditional Chinese herb, rhubarb, and has been shown to have some anticancer effects. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of rhein on the apoptosis of the human gastric cancer line SGC-7901 and to identify the mechanism involved. SGC-7901 cells were cultured and treated with rhein (0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 µM) for 24, 48, or 72 h. Relative cell viability assessed by the MTT assay after treatment was 100, 99, 85, 79, 63% for 24 h; 100, 98, 80, 51, 37% for 48 h, and 100, 97, 60, 36, 15% for 72 h, respectively. Cell apoptosis was detected with TUNEL staining and quantified with flow cytometry using annexin FITC-PI staining at 48 h after 100, 200 and 300 µm rhein. The percentage of apoptotic cells was 7.3, 21.9, 43.5%, respectively. We also measured the mRNA levels of caspase-3 and -9 using real-time PCR. Treatment with 100 µM rhein for 48 h significantly increased mRNA expression of caspase-3 and -9. The levels of apoptosis-related proteins including Bcl-2, Bax, Bcl-xL, and pro-caspase-3 were evaluated in rhein-treated cells. Rhein increased the Bax:Bcl-2 ratio but decreased the protein levels of Bcl-xL and pro-caspase-3. Moreover, rhein significantly increased the expression of cytochrome c and apoptotic protease activating factor 1, two critical components involved in mitochondrial pathway-mediated apoptosis. We conclude that rhein inhibits SGC-7901 proliferation by inducing apoptosis and this antitumor effect of rhein is mediated in part by an intrinsic mitochondrial pathway.