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Gnaphalium affine is a plant with various active properties and has been approved for use as a traditional medicine and food ingredient. In this study, liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection was utilized to separate the antioxidant compounds of G. affine, in conjunction with liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry for identification. The in vitro antioxidant activity of G. affine was evaluated using DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging capacity assays, as well as the ferric reducing antioxidant power assay. The results showed that a total of 25 antioxidant compounds were screened and identified, among which 14 compounds were quantitatively analyzed. G. affine was found to be rich in phenolic substances, with the total phenolic content ranging from 14.62 to 59.30 mg GAE/g DW, which exhibited high antioxidant potential. The antioxidant activities showed a strong positive correlation with the total phenolic content (r > 0.9). The predominant phenolic compounds in G. affine were 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid, 3-O-caffeoylquinic acid, ferulic acid, luteolin-7-O-glucoside, 3,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid, 1,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid, and luteolin, with 3,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid and 1,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid exhibiting the highest levels. Statistical analysis indicated that monosubstituted caffeoylquinic acids, disubstituted caffeoylquinic acids, and luteolin derivatives strongly correlated with the antioxidant potential. This study identified and quantified the major chemical constituents responsible for the antioxidant properties of G. affine, demonstrating its potential as a natural source of antioxidants for the use in foods, pharmaceuticals, and health products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Ever since the GALAD (gender-age-Lens culinaris agglutinin-reactive alpha-fetoprotein-alpha-fetoprotein-des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin) logistic regression model was established to diagnose hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), there has been no high-level evidence that evaluates and summarizes it. OBJECTIVE: This meta-analysis was performed to assess the diagnostic ability of the GALAD model. METHODS: The following databases were systematically searched for original diagnostic studies on HCC: PubMed, Embase, Medline, the Web of Science, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure Wanfang (China), Wiper and the Chinese BioMedical Literature Database. After screening the search results according to our criteria, the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2 tool was used to evaluate the methodologic qualities, and statistical software were used to output the statistics. RESULTS: Ultimately, 10 studies were included and analyzed. The results revealed the pooled sensitivity and specificity of the GALAD model to be 0.86 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.82, 0.90) and 0.90 (95% CI: 0.87, 0.92), respectively, for all-stage HCC. The area under the curve (AUC) was 0.94. For early-stage HCC, the pooled sensitivity and specificity of the GALAD model were 0.83 (95% CI: 0.78, 0.87) and 0.81 (95% CI: 0.78, 0.83), respectively. The AUC was 0.90. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis confirmed that the GALAD model has excellent diagnostic performance for early-stage and all-stage HCC and can maintain high sensitivity and specificity in early-stage HCC. Therefore, the GALAD model is qualified for screening early-stage canceration from chronic liver disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low temperature is a significant abiotic stress factor that restrict the growth of peanuts, and breeding of cold-tolerant varieties is the most direct and effective approach to solve low temperature and cold damage. In this study, 372 peanut germplasm resources collected from home and abroad were used as research objects,and the yield correlation traits and qualities in Wuhan of the warm region and Kunming of the cold region were analyzed. The membership function method was used combined with chain cluster analysis to screen excellent cold tolerance resources, and the influence of cold and cool climate on yield correlation factors and quality was analyzed. Key cold resistance identification indicators were screened to identify and evaluate their cold resistance. The results showed that the plant, yield and quality of peanut were mainly affected by the temperature, light and accumulated temperature at the pod stage and the full fruit ripening stage: the higher temperature and accumulated temperature, longer light time result in the higher yield, oil content, protein and other content and also resulted in lower content of oleic acid, linoleic acid and sucrose. Tolerance of different materials to low temperature was different. The comprehensive cold resistance evaluation value (D) was clustered and analyzed, and 372 varieties were divided into 4 categories. Among them, Class I belonged to the strong cold resistant type with a total of two parts; Class II belongs to the cold-resistant type with a total of 86 varieties; Class III belongs to the non-cold-resistant type with a total of 280 varieties; Class IV is a sensitive type of varieties with a total of 4 varieties. Using multiple stepwise regression analysis method, the evaluation model of peanut field cold tolerance Y=-0.002+0.003X1+0.008X2+0.002X3+0.001X4 was established, and the relative hundred kernel weight, relative number of fruits per plant, relative plant height and relative yield per plant were screened out as the initial screening indicators of peanut field cold tolerance, which provided basic varieties and efficient identification methods for the cultivation of new varieties of peanut cold tolerance and related theoretical research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colored peanut is a multi colored seed coat characteristics of edible peanut, integrating ornamental, fresh, nutritional, and health benefits. Yunnan Province is one of the representative production areas for edible peanuts in China. In recent years, on the basis of traditional cultivated red skinned small grain peanuts, excellent germplasm of edible peanuts have been developed. These new varieties exhibit colorful seed coats in purple and black, and possess desirable traits as high sugar content, low oil content (e.g. Yunhua 23). These excellent edible raw materials had advantages in quality and sales price, with a typical annual output value of about 75 000 CNY/hm² and a maximum output value of over 150 000 CNY/hm². These advantages significantly increased regional peanut output value, which became a driving force for rural revitalization in the production area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inhalation of beryllium and its compounds can cause lung injuries, resulting from inflammation and oxidative stress. Multivesicular bodies (MVB), such as exosomes, are membrane vesicles produced by early and late endosomes that mediate intercellular communications. However, the role of exosomes in beryllium toxicity has not been elucidated. This current study aimed to investigate the functional role of exosomes in lung injury resulting from beryllium sulfate (BeSO4). Here, Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats were exposed to 4, 8, and 12 mg/kg BeSO4 by nonexposed intratracheal instillation. Murine macrophage (RAW 264.7) cells were pretreated with 50 nmol/L rapamycin (an mTOR signaling pathway inhibitor) for 30 min and then cultured for 24 h with 100 μg/mL exosomes, which had been previously isolated from the serum of 12 mg/kg BeSO4‐treated SD rats. Compared with those of the controls, exposure to BeSO4 in vivo increased LDH activity, elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines (IL‐10, TNF‐α, and IFN‐γ) alongside inflammation‐related proteins expression (COX‐2 and iNOS), and enhanced secretion of exosomes from the SD rat's serum. Moreover, the BeSO4‐Exos‐induced upregulation of LDH activity and inflammatory responses in RAW 264.7 cells can be alleviated following pretreatment with rapamycin. Collectively, these results suggest that serum exosomes play an important role in pulmonary inflammation induced by BeSO4 in RAW 264.7 cells via the mTOR pathway. Beryllium sulfate (BeSO4) can cause inflammation of the lung. Exosomes mediate intercellular communications. This study aimed to investigate the role of exosomes in BeSO4‐induced lung injury. BeSO4 increased the level of LDH, inflammation‐related cytokines and proteins, and the secretion of serum‐derived exosomes in SD rats. The BeSO4‐Exos‐induced upregulation of LDH and inflammatory responses in macrophages can be alleviated by rapamycin pretreatment. It concluded that serum exosomes are essential in BeSO4‐induced inflammation in macrophages via the mTOR pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main targets of this work were to evaluate the antioxidative properties of flavonoids in Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.) leaves and quantitatively determine their contents. 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline)-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) and hydroxyl free radicals scavenging assays were performed to determine their antioxidative capacities. The validated ultra high-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight/mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-TOF/MS) method was subsequently applied to the quality evaluation of eleven batches of Jerusalem artichoke leaves grown in different habitats at different harvesting time. Results indicated that two flavonoids isolated from Jerusalem artichoke leaves showed stronger antioxidant effects than the positive control, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). And the total contents of the two flavonoids in the Jerusalem artichoke leaves of flowering stage from Dalian, Liaoning Province, China, were the highest, their contents varied significantly depending on region and harvesting time. This study indicated that the leaves of Jerusalem artichoke possessed excellent antioxidant properties, highlighting their candidacy as natural antioxidants, which could be utilized therapeutically to protect the body from diseases caused by oxidative stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beryllium and its compounds are systemic toxicants that are widely applied in many industries. Hydrogen sulfide has been found to protect cells. The present study aimed to determine the protective mechanisms involved in hydrogen sulfide treatment of 16HBE cells following beryllium sulfate‐induced injury. 16HBE cells were treated with beryllium sulfate doses ranging between 0 and 300 μM BeSO4. Additionally, 16HBE cells were subjected to pretreatment with either a 300 μM dose of sodium hydrosulfide (a hydrogen sulfide donor) or 10 mM DL‐propargylglycine (a cystathionine‐γ‐lyase inhibitor) for 6 hr before then being treated with 150 μM beryllium sulfate for 48 hr. This study illustrates that beryllium sulfate induces a reduction in cell viability, increases lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, and increases cellular apoptosis and autophagy in 16HBE cells. Interestingly, pretreating 16HBE cells with sodium hydrosulfide significantly reduced the beryllium sulfate‐induced apoptosis and autophagy. Moreover, it increased the mitochondrial membrane potential and alleviated the G2/M‐phase cell cycle arrest. However, pretreatment with 10 mM DL‐propargylglycine promoted the opposite effects. PI3K/Akt/mTOR and Nrf2/ARE signaling pathways are also activated following pretreatment with sodium hydrosulfide. These results indicate the protection provided by hydrogen sulfide in 16HBE cells against beryllium sulfate‐induced injury is associated with the inhibition of apoptosis and autophagy through the activation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR and Nrf2/ARE signaling pathways. Therefore, hydrogen sulfide has the potential to be a promising candidate in the treatment against beryllium disease. BeSO4 could reduce cell viability, increase LDH release, and induce cellular apoptosis and autophagy in 16HBE cells. Pretreatment of NaHS could increase the mitochondrial membrane potential and alleviate the G2/M‐phase cell cycle arrest. The protective effects of H2S in 16HBE cells against BeSO4‐induced injury is associated with the inhibition of apoptosis and autophagy through the activation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR and Nrf2/ARE signaling pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study proposes a strategy for screening and validating of antioxidant compounds and components from leaves of yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius Poepp. and Endl.) by variable selection based on weight analysis. The theoretical basis of variable selection lies in that the varied quantity of variables will influence the activity results of samples. The ethyl acetate fraction (sample 0) with high DPPH scavenging activity was further separated using silica gel chromatographic column to obtain 17 subfractions (samples 1–17). The 18 samples contain different compounds exhibited different DPPH radical scavenging activities. Two components A and B with time range of 2.00–12.00 min and 53.00–64.00 min on the chromatogram were selected by variable selection, respectively. Simultaneously, a large number of compounds with different retention times (RTs) were screened out. Five predicted compounds, including chlorogenic acid, methyl caffeate, ethyl caffeate, homoeriodictyol, quercetin 3,7-dimethyl ether were isolated and verified by DPPH radical scavenging ability assay. The radical scavenging rates of those compounds were higher than that of ethyl acetate fraction and the positive control butylated hydroxyltoluene (BHT). Meanwhile, components A and B also show strong antioxidant activity. The radical scavenging activity of component A is higher than that of compounds which contained in component A, indicating the existence of synergistic antioxidant activity of compounds. The results of variable selection show that the proposed method is simple and reliable in screening the most active components and compounds. The method could be used for screening of compounds and components from other herbal plants with other activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osmanthus fragrans (Thunb.) Lour. flowers are important natural resource of phenolic compounds, which have antioxidant activities and have been consumed as functional food and dietary supplements for thousand years. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrochemical detection (UPLC-ECD) was developed to simultaneously analyze the eight phenolic compounds in Osmanthus fragrans flowers collected from different regions across China. The UPLC-ECD fingerprint was established for identification and comprehensive quality control. The antioxidant capacities of Osmanthus fragrans flowers were evaluated, and results were compared with those spectrophotometric antioxidant methods. A highly positive relationship was confirmed between the total peak area of characteristic components in chromatogram and the antioxidant potential determined by spectrophotometry with correlation coefficient greater than 0.80 (p <.01). Grey relational analysis showed that acteoside had the highest degree of correlation with antioxidant capacity. These results provided evidence to support the use of UPLC-ECD as a simple, rapid, and reliable method for electroactive phenolic component determination and antioxidant capacity quantification in vitro system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Circular RNAs (circRNAs), is a novel type of endogenous non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) participated in the pathogenesis of many diseases. Beryllium is one of the carcinogenesis elements. However, the mechanism and function of circRNAs in human bronchial epithelial cells (16HBE) induced by beryllium sulfate (BeSO4) was rarely reported. Therefore, the high-throughput RNA sequencing analysis was performed to detect the circRNA profiles between control groups and BeSO4-induced groups. Furthermore, circRNA-miRNA-mRNA network, Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis, and PPI network analysis were used for bioinformatics analysis. CircRNA sequencing analysis revealed that 36 circRNAs were up-regulated and 35 circRNAs were down-regulated in the BeSO4-exposed groups. The selected circRNAs were verified by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR). Hsa_circ_0004214 and hsa_circ_0003586 were validated to be up-regulated, hsa_circ_0047958, hsa_circ_0001944, and hsa_circ_0008982 were down-regulated. The circRNA-miRNA-mRNA network annotated the key signaling pathway including cellular senescence, TNF signaling pathway, NF-kappa B signaling pathway, HIF-1 signaling pathway, and Hippo signaling pathway. The PPI network indicated the most circRNAs might participate in the BeSO4 toxicity by acting as a sponge for the miR-663b through JAK–STAT signaling pathway. In summary, our study suggests that circRNAs may play roles in the mechanism of beryllium toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beryllium and its compounds are systemic toxicants that mainly accumulate in the lungs. As a regulator of gene expression, microRNAs (miRNAs) were involved in some lung diseases. This study aimed to analyze the levels of some inflammatory cytokine and the differential expressions of miRNAs in human bronchial epithelial cells (16HBE) induced by beryllium sulfate (BeSO4) and to further explore the biological functions of differentially expressed miRNAs. The profile of miRNAs in 16HBE cells was detected using the high‐throughput sequencing between the control groups (n = 3) and the 150 μmol/L of BeSO4‐treated groups (n = 3). Bioinformatics analysis of differentially expressed miRNAs was performed, including the prediction of target genes, Gene Ontology (GO) analysis, and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis. Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) was applied to verify some damage‐related miRNAs. We found that BeSO4 can increase the levels of some inflammatory cytokine such as interleukin‐10 (IL‐10), tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α), interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2). And BeSO4 altered miRNAs expression of 16HBE cells and a total of 179 differentially expressed miRNAs were identified, including 88 upregulated miRNAs and 91 downregulated miRNAs. The target genes predicted by 28 dysregulated miRNAs were mainly involved in the transcription regulation, signal transduction, MAPK, and VEGF signaling pathway. The qRT‐PCR verification results were consistent with the sequencing results. miRNA expression profiling in 16HBE cells exposed to BeSO4 provides new insights into the toxicity mechanism of beryllium exposure. Beryllium and its compounds are systemic toxicants that mainly accumulate in the lungs. As a regulator of gene expression, microRNAs (miRNAs) were involved in some lung diseases. This study aimed to analyze the levels of some inflammatory cytokine and the differential expressions of miRNAs in human bronchial epithelial cells (16HBE) induced by beryllium sulfate (BeSO4) and further explore the biological functions of differentially expressed miRNAs. We found that BeSO4 can increase the levels of some inflammatory cytokine such as interleukin‐10 (IL‐10), tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α), interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2). And BeSO4 altered miRNAs expression of 16HBE cells and a total of 179 differentially expressed miRNAs were identified, including 88 up‐regulated miRNAs and 91 down‐regulated miRNAs. The target genes predicted by 28 dysregulated miRNAs were mainly involved in the transcription regulation, signal transduction, MAPK, and VEGF signaling pathway. miRNA expression profiling in 16HBE cells exposed to BeSO4 provides new insights into the toxicity mechanism of beryllium exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To study the drought tolerance of Brassica juncea, quality of 150 local varieties of B. juncea was investigated in Yunnan Province. The aboveground and underground parts of the plants were studied under drought stress with different degrees. Results showed that B. juncea was tolerant to drought, and had wide range of quality variations. The variation coefficient of oleic acid and erucic acid was more than 1, and the varieties tested were roughly grouped into 3 categories according to quality characteristics. The medium and severe drought could significantly affect growth of shoot and root system, especially the root system. Under medium drought, drought tolerance had significant positive correlations with oil content and extremely long fatty acids (erucic acid and arachidonic acid), but had significant negative correlation with 5 long-chain fatty acids (stearic acid, palmitic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid and linolenic acid). Under severe drought condition, drought tolerance had no relevance with quality traits. Meanwhile, drought resistance of the same variety was different under different degree of drought. Oil content had extremely significant positive correlation with long chain fatty acids. The oil content was negatively correlated with the content of long chain fatty acids and protein. The very long chain fatty acids had a significant negative correlation with long chain fatty acids. Eight varieties with strong comprehensive drought resistance were screened out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atorvastatin (ATO) is a 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl‐CoA reductase inhibitor widely used to treat hypercholesterolemia. However, clinical application is limited by potential hepatotoxicity. Nuclear factor‐erythroid 2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a master regulator of cellular antioxidants, and oxidative stress is implicated in statin‐induced liver injury. This study investigated mechanisms of ATO‐induced hepatotoxicity and potential mitigation by Nrf2 signaling. ATO reduced Nrf2 and antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase‐2 (SOD2) expression in human hepatocarcinoma HepG2 cells. ATO also induced concentration‐dependent HepG2 cell toxicity, reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, and mitochondrial dysfunction as evidenced by decreased mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and cellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Further, ATO induced mitochondria‐dependent apoptosis as indicated by increased Bax/Bcl‐2 ratio, cleaved caspase‐3, mitochondrial cytochrome c release and Annexin V‐fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide staining. Tert‐butylhydroquinone enhanced Nrf2 and SOD2 expression, and partially reversed ATO‐induced cytotoxicity, ROS accumulation, MMP reduction, ATP depletion and mitochondria‐dependent apoptosis. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that ATO induces mitochondrial dysfunction and cell apoptosis in HepG2 cells, at least in part, via inhibition of the Nrf2 pathway. Nrf2 pathway activation is a potential prevention for ATO‐induced liver injury. Liver injury is a serious potential side effect of atorvastatin (ATO) treatment. ATO reduced nuclear factor‐erythroid 2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway activities in HepG2 hepatocarcinoma cells. ATO also induced oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction and mitochondria‐dependent apoptosis. Tert‐butylhydroquinone enhanced Nrf2 expression and reversed ATO‐induced cell death. Taken together, we suggest that ATO induces mitochondrial dysfunction and cell apoptosis in HepG2 cells via inhibition of the Nrf2 pathway, and Nrf2 pathway activation is a potential protection against ATO‐induced hepatotoxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clubroot is one of the most serious disease in oilseed rape. To explore the resistant molecular mechanism of the interaction between Plasmodiophora brassicae and Brassica napus during early infection, gene differential expression analysis of the clubroot - resistant rapeseed line ZHE - 226 ( R) and clubroot - susceptible line 10159 ( S) were performed by RNA - seq. A total of 809 and 1082 genes were commonly up - and down - regulated at 0, 12, 48, 72h post - inoculation (hpi) time points in R line. Pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), chiti-nase, R gene,WRKY transcription factor, salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid(JA) were involved in the early response to clubroot infection in lines of R and S, but showed different expression patterns. Compared to S line, most of the PRRs genes were down - regulated, R genes were up - regulated and SA genes were down - regulated in earlier stage but up -regulated at 72hpi in R line. Chitinase,WRKY and JA related genes were both induced in R and S lines. These results showed that PTI -mediated by PRRs was significantly induced in S line, but played a small role in R line. ETI - mediated by R gene and resistance signal pathway - mediated by SA played great role in clubroot resistance. This research provided a better understanding of the resistance genes of B. napus in response to P. brassicae, and assistance for clubroot - resistant breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fibrous dysplasia of bone (FDB) is a rare benign condition in which fibrous tissue replaces normal bone architecture. FDB rarely undergoes malignant transformation, but there are reports of locally aggressive fibrous dysplasia with cortical destruction and soft tissue extension. Diagnosis of FDB malignant transformation is not easy, especially in monostotic form, because of the overlap in imaging features of locally aggressive fibrous dysplasia and fibrous dysplasia with malignant transformation. The present case study reports a rare case of FDB in a 23-year-old man with polyostotic fibrous dysplasia arising in the left side of the pelvis and lower limb bones with partial transformation to fibrosarcoma. This study explored the multimodal imaging features of FDB malignant transformation, to achieve early detection and improve diagnostic accuracy of local FDB aggressiveness and its malignant transformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyacrylate-fluorosilicone block copolymers, namely, polyacrylate- b-polydimethylsiloxane and polyacrylate- b-polymethyltrifluoropropylsiloxane were synthesized for fabricating icephobic coatings. The surface morphology and chemical composition of the block copolymers were characterized by atomic force microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, suggesting that the fluorosilicone blocks aggregated on the top of the copolymer surfaces. Results of water contact angles and ice shear strength demonstrated a certain amount adding of methacryloisobutyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane could lead to the decrease of contact angle hysteresis and increase of surface roughness, consequently resulting in significant reduction of the ice adhesion strength. Therefore, the block copolymers with the combined advantages of silicone and fluoropolymers could be potentially applied as icephobic coatings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate new drought resistant germplasm, 24 DH lines from hybrid of Brassica napus and Brassica juncea were planted under 2 conditions of drought stress at 3 stages (seedling, flowering and podding stages) and normal irrigation in Kunming, Yunnan Province. In this area, the rainfall is approximately 60mm in the whole growth season for rapeseed. The identification criteria for drought-resistance were yield, 4 yield-related agronomic traits and five quality traits and different evaluation methods were compared by drought resistance index method, gray relevancy method and cluster analysis. The result showed that the drought resistance of the most hybrids was stronger than that of the conventional B. napus, especially at podding and seedling stage. 10 strong drought-resistant materials were screened, and 2 materials with both strong resistance and high yield were found. The drought-resistance correlation coefficient analysis of 3 growth stages showed that the drought resistance at seedling stage was correlated to flowering stage, and podding stage showed a poor correlation to seedling or flowering stage. Drought stress at any growth stage could seriously affect the fresh weight, plant height, oleic acid content and erucic acid content. Yield was affected by the drought stress most seriously at the flowering stage, and next at the seedling stage. The drought-resistance had significant positive correlation to fresh weight at seedling, flowering and podding stages. The drought-resistance had significant positive correlation to plant height at flowering stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drought tolerance was identified using 58 interspecific hybrids from Bassica juncea and Brassica napus. The object was to improve the drought tolerance of B. napus cuhivar. Traits of drought tolerance included individual plant yield, main inflorescence yield and seed quality under drought stress in field. Subordinate function values method, cluster analysis and gray relevancy method were involved. Result showed significant correlations on both branch number and effective pod number to drought tolerance. Seed number per pod or 1 000 -seed weight showed low correlation to drought tolerance. Under water stress, three traits of the main inflorescence were significant at 1% level among drought -resistance and drought -susceptible lines. These three traits were oil content, 1 000 - seed weight and protein content of main inflorescence. Among them, oil content and 1 000 - seed weight in tolerance lines increased under drought, while protein content decreased. The correlation between three traits and single plant yield was greater than 50%. These three traits could be applied in preliminary selection for drought tolerance materials. Using the traits and methods above, these 3 lines 2007M004, 2007M018 and 2007M027 were selected for high drought tolerance with average subordinate function values of at least 0. 413. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microencapsulated phase change materials (microPCMs) have been widely applied in solid matrix as thermal-storage or temperature-controlling functional composites. The thermal conductivity of these microPCMs/matrix composites is an important property need to be considered. In this study, a series of microPCMs have been fabricated using the in situ polymerization with various core/shell ratio and average diameter; the thermal conductivity of microPCMs/epoxy composites were investigated in details. The results show that the microPCMs have smooth surface and regular global shape with compact methanol-melamine-formaldehyde shell. The shell thickness does not greatly influence the phase change behaviors of PCM. Moreover, smaller microPCMs embedded in epoxy can improve the thermal transmission ability of composites. The effect of thermal conductivity of composites can be improved with higher volume fraction (10-30%) of microPCMs; and smaller size microPCMs with the same content of PCM may also enhance the thermal transmission area in matrix. Modeling analysis of relative thermal conductivity indicates that mixing higher thermal conductivity additive in PCM or matrix is an appropriate method to improve the thermal conductivity of microPCMs/matrix composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new diterpenoid, 15(S)-isopimar-7-en-1-oxo-15,16-diol (1), was isolated from the stems of mangrove plant Rhizophora apiculata. The structure of the new compound was elucidated by MS, IR, 1D, and 2D NMR techniques, including HMQC, HMBC, and NOESY correlations. In addition, seven known constituents were isolated from this plant for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which investigated the heat-sealing properties of poly(vinyl alcohol)/soy protein isolate (PVA/SPI) films with or without compatibilization by glycerol. Differential scanning calorimetry, tensile testing, and X-ray diffraction were some of the techniques used to evaluate the variations of the heat-sealing parts of the films. It was found that both the PVA and glycerol contents had great effects on the melting behavior and heat of fusion of the SPI/PVA blends.

The article presents a study which developed blend films from nature soy protein isolates (SPI) and synthetical poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) compatibility by glycerol using a solution-casting method. The researchers investigated the compatibility, mechanical properties, and thermal stability of SPI/PVA films. SPI/PVA blend polymers have a glass transition temperature from 80 to 115.0 degree Celsius. SPI/PVA glycerol blend film is suggested to prepare soy protein plastics for practical use.

Iris recognition, as a biometric method, outperforms others because of its high accuracy. Iris is the visible internal organ of human, so it is stable and very difficult to be altered. But if an eye surgery must be made to some individuals, it may be rejected by iris recognition system as imposters after the surgery, because the iris pattern was altered or damaged somewhat during surgery and cannot match the iris template stored before the surgery. In this paper, we originally discuss whether refractive surgery for vision correction (LASIK surgery) would influence the performance of iris recognition. And experiments are designed and tested on iris images captured especially for this research from patients before and after refractive surgery. Experiments showed that refractive surgery has little influence on iris recognition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]