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.

Fluorination of magnetite (Fe3O4) by NH4HF2 was investigated using simultaneous thermogravimetry and differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA), and observing the morphology and phase changes using scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) and X-ray diffractometry (XRD). The results indicate that fluorination with the involvement of oxygen begins at room temperature, peaks at 1784ºC, and is completed at 200ºC with the formation of only (NH4)3FeF6. On heating, (NH4)3FeF6 gradually releases NH4F by the formation of NH4FeF4 at 259ºC, then (NH4)0.l8FeF3 at 327ºC, and finally FeF3 with minor FeF2 at 400ºC due to the partial reduction of Fe (III) to Fe (II). At 550ºC, FeF3 is oxidized to FeOF/Fe2O3.

Resumo Ginkgo biloba é um fitoterápico tradicional da medicina chinesa que contém vários componentes que contribuem para suas notáveis bioatividades. Variações sazonais, meteorológicos e de plantio do solo sobre os teores fitoquímicos em folhas de G. biloba, devido aos efeitos do crescimento meteorológico e parâmetros do solo, foram investigadas neste estudo. As folhas de G. biloba foram coletadas em diferentes meses e na província de Zhejiang, os teores de flavonas (quercetina, kaempferol e isorhamnetina) e lactonas terpênicas (bilobalida, ginkgolídeos A, B e C) foram quantificados por Cromatografia Líquida de Alta Eficiência (CLAE) e pelo método do detector de dispersão da luz por evaporação. Os métodos estabelecidos foram validados com boa linearidade, precisão, repetibilidade, estabilidade e recuperação. Uma análise abrangente sugeriu que o tempo de colheita adequado para G. biloba foi em outubro na província de Zhejiang. O resultado da análise de correlação com fatores meteorológicos mostra que a temperatura e a precipitação não têm efeito significativo sobre os principais componentes de G. biloba. Além disso, o tipo e composição (Mn e Zn) do solo apresentaram efeito significativo sobre o teor de flavonoides e lactonas terpênicas. Este estudo enriqueceu o conhecimento sobre o valor de desenvolvimento e utilização das folhas de G. biloba e foi útil para determinar o melhor tempo de colheita e condição de crescimento.

Abstract Ginkgo biloba is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine containing multiple components that contribute to its notable bioactivities. Variations of seasonal, meteorological and planting soil on the phytochemicals contents in G. biloba leaves due to the effects of growth meteorological and soil parameters were investigated in this study. The leaves of G. biloba were collected from different months and place in Zhejiang province, the contents of flavones (quercetin, kaempferol and isorhamnetin) and terpene lactones (bilobalide, ginkgolides A, B and C) were quantified by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and the evaporative light scattering detector (ELSD) method. The established methods were validated with good linearity, precision, repeatability, stability, and recovery. Comprehensive analysis suggested the proper harvest time for G. biloba was in October of Zhejiang province. The result of correlation analysis with meteorological factors shows that the temperature and precipitation have non-significant effect on the main components of G. biloba. In addition, the type and content (Mn and Zn) of the soil showed significantly effect on the content of flavonoids and terpene lactones. This study enriched the knowledge on the development and utilization value of the G. biloba leaves and was useful for determining the optimal harvest time and growing condition.

RESUMO Utilizando um anticorpo monoclonal contra a aflatoxina B1 (AFB1) como ligante, foi identificado um mimotopo específico de aflatoxina B1 após se realizarem quatro ciclos de seleção biológica de 7-peptídeos aleatórios em biblioteca de fago exibida. O mimotopo é denominado P10, e sua sequência de aminoácidos é YRRHEKD. O soro imunológico de ratos Balb/c imunizados com P10 foi especificamente ligado à aflatoxina B1-albumina, indicando que o anticorpo era específico ao AFB1. Esses resultados sugerem que é possível desenvolver a vacina baseada em mimotopo associado à toxina.

Abstract Shallow lowland lakes are critical components of the water cycle, providing an essential service function. However, the impacts of microcystin from phytoplankton communities on benthic macroinvertebrate community diversity and structure have seldom been investigated. During 2008-2012, the impacts of water environmental variables on the diversity of macrobenthic communities, including water temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, transparency, conductivity, the permanganate index, Chlorophyll a, total phosphorus, total nitrogen, and microcystin-LR (L for leucine and R for arginine), were measured in a typical shallow lowland lake, Ge Lake. The results of the present study demonstrated that there were 31 benthic macroinvertebrate taxa in Ge Lake, including 7 oligochaetes, 7 Mollusca, 14 chironomids, and 3 other taxa. Among the macrobenthic taxa in the benthic community, opportunistic taxa such as Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri are present and can occur at greater densities in disturbed habitats. However, a significant reduction/disappearance of sensitive and clean taxa was observed among the benthic macroinvertebrates. Water temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, ammonia nitrogen, transparency and total phosphorus were the main environmental variables influencing macrobenthic community structure, while water temperature, conductivity, ammonia nitrogen, Chlorophyll a, the permanganate index, total phosphorus and total nitrogen were the main factors that influenced macrobenthic community diversity indices (the numbers of taxa, Shannon’s diversity index, Margalef’s richness index, and Pielou’s evenness index). Our results underscore the severity of the effects of human activity on Ge Lake and strongly suggest that restoring the benthic invertebrate community to previous conditions would require the control and reduction of environmental pollutants and nutrients in Ge Lake.

Due to the special climate conditions in the Qingtongxia region, grapes are high in sugar and low in titratable acidity from the stages of ripening. Therefore, the common methods used for determining the maturity of grapes, which depend on the ratio of sugar and titratable acidity in other regions, are inappropriate in Qingtongxia. This research was done in order to seek for a simple and convenient method of determining the optimal harvest time of grapes, further providing some theoretical basis for improving the quality of wine in Qingtongxia. Phenolic contents and some basic physico-chemical parameters of Merlot and Pinot Noir were evaluated during different ripening stages. The results showed that a different harvest time significantly affects the phenolic contents and physico-chemical parameters of Merlot and Pinot Noir. The total contents of anthocyanins in skins and total contents of phenolic in seeds was screen out as two important indexes to evaluate the maturity of polyphenols, in order to better improve the quality of grape and wine.

Due to the special climate conditions in the Qingtongxia region, grapes are high in sugar and low in titratable acidity from the stages of ripening. Therefore, the common methods used for determining the maturity of grapes, which depend on the ratio of sugar and titratable acidity in other regions, are inappropriate in Qingtongxia. This research was done in order to seek for a simple and convenient method of determining the optimal harvest time of grapes, further providing some theoretical basis for improving the quality of wine in Qingtongxia. Phenolic contents and some basic physico-chemical parameters of Merlot and Pinot Noir were evaluated during different ripening stages. The results showed that a different harvest time significantly affects the phenolic contents and physico-chemical parameters of Merlot and Pinot Noir. The total contents of anthocyanins in skins and total contents of phenolic in seeds was screen out as two important indexes to evaluate the maturity of polyphenols, in order to better improve the quality of grape and wine.

ABSTRACT We developed a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for the detection of Y. pestis by targeting the 3a sequence on chromosome. All 11 species of the genus Yersinia were used to evaluate the specificity of LAMP and PCR, demonstrating that the primers had a high level of specificity. The sensitivity of LAMP or PCR was 2.3 or 23 CFU for pure culture, whereas 2.3 × 104 or 2.3 × 106 CFU for simulated spleen and lung samples. For simulated liver samples, the sensitivity of LAMP was 2.3 × 106 CFU, but PCR was negative at the level of 2.3 × 107 CFU. After simulated spleen and lung samples were treated with magnetic beads, the sensitivity of LAMP or PCR was 2.3 × 103 or 2.3 × 106 CFU, whereas 2.3 × 105 or 2.3 × 107 CFU for magnetic bead-treated liver samples. These results indicated that some components in the tissues could inhibit LAMP and PCR, and liver tissue samples had a stronger inhibition to LAMP and PCR than spleen and lung tissue samples. LAMP has a higher sensitivity than PCR, and magnetic bead capture of DNAs could remarkably increase the sensitivity of LAMP. LAMP is a simple, rapid and sensitive assay suitable for application in the field or poverty areas.

RESUMO: O efeito de atrazina e mesotrione e da atividade conjunta de atrazina mais mesotrione no pigmento, n a peroxidação lipídica e na atividade da enzima antioxidante foi estudado. Os tratamentos com atrazina e mesotrione reduziram significativamente as concentrações de clorofila a (Clf a), de clorofila b (Clf b), de carotenoides e o teor de proteína em plantas de grama-seda (Cynodon dactylon L.), mas aumentaram significativamente a peroxidação lipídica. O tratamento com atrazina mais mesotrione causou maior efeito fitotóxico na grama-seda do que o herbicida isolado, o que foi evidenciado pela diminuição significativa da estabilidade da membrana em função dos teores de oxigênio singlete e malondialdeído (MDA), bem como pela maior redução dos teores de Clf a, Clf b e carotenoides. Embora a grama-seda ativasse as enzimas antioxidantes catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD) e glutationa S-transferase (GST), ela foi significativamente danificada após os tratamentos com herbicidas. Assim, os resultados sugerem que os antioxidantes enzimáticos e não enzimáticos da grama-seda foram sobrecarregados após o tratamento com atrazina mais mesotrione, e as espécies reativas de oxigênio (ERO) causaram peroxidação lipídica, degradação de pigmentos e proteínas, além de outros danos a constituintes celulares.

ABSTRACT: The effect of atrazine, mesotrione, and joint activity of atrazine plus mesotrione on pigment, lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant enzyme activity was studied. Atrazine and mesotrione treatments significantly reduced chlorophyll a (Chl a), chlorophyll b (Chl b), carotenoid concentrations, and protein content in bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L.) plants, whereas they significantly enhanced lipid peroxidation. The treatment of atrazine plus mesotrione caused greater phototoxic effect on bermudagrass than either herbicide alone, which was evident from the significantly decreased membrane stability noted as a function of the enhanced singlet oxygen and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents, as well as from the greater reduction in Chl a, Chl b, and carotenoid contents. Although bermudagrass activated the antioxidant enzymes catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), and glutathione S-transferase (GST), it was significantly injured after the herbicide treatments. Thus, results suggested that the enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants of bermudagrass was overloaded after the treatment of atrazine plus mesotrione, and the reactive oxygen species (ROS) subsequently caused lipid peroxidation, pigment and protein degradation, as well as other cellular constituent damage.

RESUMO: Carolina geranium (Geranium carolinianum) é uma planta invasora emergente nos campos de colza e trigo na China. Portanto, uma melhor compreensão da ecologia da germinação e emergência da espécie permitirá o desenvolvimento de estratégias de controle integrado de plantas daninhas. Neste estudo, foram investigados os efeitos de temperatura, fotoperíodo, umidade do solo, salinidade e profundidade de enterramento na germinação e emergência de Carolina geranium. Os resultados mostraram taxas de germinação superiores a 74% sob regimes de temperatura de 15/20 oC e 20/25 oC noite/dia. Não houve diferença significativa na germinação das sementes entre a exposição à luz e ao escuro. O aumento da salinidade reduziu a germinação de Carolina geranium de 81,1% a 0 mM para 0% a 160 mM NaCl. A germinação de sementes foi favorecida com 50% de umidade do solo, tendo sido completamente inibida pelo teor de água no solo abaixo de 20% e superior a 90%. Observou-se emergência das plântulas acima de 82,2% quando as sementes foram colocadas a uma profundidade de 0 a 1 cm, e houve germinação das sementes colocadas a uma profundidade de 7 cm. Este trabalho mostra que a influência dos fatores ambientais sobre a germinação de sementes de Carolina geranium poderia fornecer a base para a prevenção e controle eficazes da ocorrência de plantas daninhas e da infestação em campos de colza e trigo na China.

ABSTRACT: Carolina geranium (Geranium carolinianum) is an emerging invasive weed in rape and wheat fields in China. A better understanding of its germination and emergence ecology will enable the development of integrated weed control strategies. In this study, we investigated the effects of temperature, photoperiod, soil water content, salinity, and burial depth, on germination and emergence of Carolina geranium. Germination percentages were over 74% under 15/20 and 20/25 oC night/day temperature regimes. Germination rate was independent of light/dark regime. Increasing salinity reduced germination of Carolina geranium from 81.1% at 0 mM to 0% at 160 mM NaCl. Seeds germination was peaked at 50% soil moisture, but was completely inhibited at < 20% and > 90%. The seedling emergence above 82.2% was observed when seeds were placed at a depth from 0 to 1 cm, and no seedlings emerged from seeds placed at a depth of 7 cm. Current work provide the basic information to effectively prevent and control this invasive weed in Chinese rape and wheat fields.

This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of minimally invasive tonsil surgery for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) in children. Tonsil ablation or turbinate reduction was performed on 49 pediatric patients with OSAHS by minimally invasive tonsil surgery. In order to evaluate the efficacy of surgery, a comparison was conducted between pre-operation and post-operation data in terms of the symptoms, signs and polysomnography test. Total effectiveness rate of the surgery was 83.7%. Subgroup analysis was also performed based on the severity of their conditions: mild, moderate, and severe groups had an effectiveness rate of 90.0, 88.9, and 66.7%, respectively (Hc=6.665, P<0.05). Postoperatively, the apnea-hypopnea index, the minimum oxygen saturation (SaO2), and corresponding symptoms improved compared to pre-operation conditions (P<0.05). Minimally invasive tonsil surgery was a safe and effective method for treating OSAHS in children.

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.

The aim of this study was to analyze if off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) is associated with better treatment outcomes in elderly patients (>70 years of age) than on-pump CABG, using meta-analysis. Medline, PubMed, Cochrane and Google Scholar databases were searched until September 13, 2016. Sensitivity and quality assessment were performed. Twenty-two studies, three randomized control trials (RCTs) and 20 non-RCTs were included with 24,127 patients. The risk of death associated with on-pump or off-pump CABG in the RCTs were similar (pooled OR=0.945, 95%CI=0.652 to 1.371, P=0.766). However, in the non-RCTs, mortality risk was lower in patients treated with off-pump CABG than on-pump CABG (pooled OR=0.631, 95%CI=0.587 to 0.944, P=0.003). No differences were observed between the two treatment groups in terms of the occurrence of 30-day post-operative stroke or myocardial infarction (P≥0.147). In the non-RCTs, off-pump CABG treatment was associated with a shorter length of hospital stay (pooled standardized difference in means=-0.401, 95%CI=-0.621 to -0.181, P≤0.001). The meta-analysis with pooled data from non-RCTs, but not RCTs, found that mortality was lower with off-pump compared with on-pump CABG, and suggested that there may be some benefit of off-pump CABG compared with on-pump CABG in the risk of mortality and length of hospital stay.

This meta-analysis compared the efficacy and safety of the contact force (CF)-sensing catheter and second-generation cryoballoon (CB) ablation for treating atrial fibrillation (AF). Six controlled clinical trials comparing ablation for AF using a CF-sensing catheter or second-generation CB were identified from PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Wanfang Data, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure. The procedure duration was significantly lower in the CB group compared with that in the CF group [mean difference (MD)=29.4; 95%CI=17.84–40.96; P=0.01], whereas there was no difference between the groups for fluoroscopy duration (MD=0.59; 95%CI=–4.48–5.66; P=0.82). Moreover, there was no difference in the incidence of non-lethal complications (embolic event, tamponade, femoral/subclavian hematoma, arteriovenous fistula, pulmonary vein stenosis, phrenic nerve palsy, and esophageal injury) between the CB and the CF groups (8.38 vs 5.35%; RR=0.66; 95%CI=0.37–1.17; P=0.15). Transient phrenic nerve palsy occurred in 17 of 326 patients (5.2%) of the CB group vs none in the CF group (RR=0.12; 95%CI=0.03–0.43; P=0.001). A comparable proportion of patients in CF and CB groups suffered from AF recurrence during the 12-month follow-up after a single ablation procedure [risk ratio (RR)=1.03; 95%CI=0.78–1.35; P=0.84]. AF ablation using CF-sensing catheters and second-generation CB showed comparable fluoroscopy duration and efficacy (during a 12-month follow-up), with shorter procedure duration and different complications in the CB group.

Ovarian cancer is one of the most common malignancies in women. Semaphorin 4D (sema 4D) is involved in the progress of multiple cancers. In the presence of estrogen-like ligands, estrogen receptors (ERα and ERβ) participate in the progress of breast and ovarian cancers by transcriptional regulation. The aim of the study was to investigate the role of sema 4D and elucidate the regulatory pattern of ERα and ERβ on sema 4D expression in ovarian cancers. Sema 4D levels were up-regulated in ovarian cancer SKOV-3 cells. Patients with malignant ovarian cancers had significantly higher sema 4D levels than controls, suggesting an oncogene role of sema 4D in ovarian cancer. ERα expressions were up-regulated in SKOV-3 cells compared with normal ovarian IOSE80 epithelial cells. Conversely, down-regulation of ERβ was observed in SKOV-3 cells. Forced over-expression of ERα and ERβ in SKOV-3 cells was manipulated to establish ERα+ and ERβ+ SKOV-3 cell lines. Incubation of ERα+ SKOV-3 cells with ERs agonist 17β-estradiol (E2) significantly enhanced sema 4D expression and rate of cell proliferation. Incubated with E2, ERβ+ SKOV-3 cells showed lower sema 4D expression and cell proliferation. Blocking ERα and ERβ activities with ICI182-780 inhibitor, sema 4D expressions and cell proliferation of ERα+ and ERβ+ SKOV-3 cells were recovered to control levels. Taken together, the data showed that sema 4D expression was positively correlated with the progress of ovarian cancer. ERα positively regulated sema 4D expression and accelerated cell proliferation. ERβ negatively regulated sema 4D expression and inhibited cell multiplication.