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Shannong 116 is a strong gluten, high yield and multi-resistance wheat variety bred by Shandong Agricultural University, which was approved by the State in 2021 and by Shandong Province in 2022. Shannong 116 combines the excellent characteristics of the female parent (strong gluten, disease resistance and early maturity) and the male parent (high yield, water saving and lodging resistance), with a plant height of 76.9 cm, compact plant type, orderly spike layer and good maturity performance, which is suitable for large-scale promotion and market order planting in Huanghuai wheat area. In this paper, the characteristics of Shannong 116 are analyzed, and cultivation technical measures for high yield, high quality and high efficiency are put forward, in order to provide a technical support for the popularization and application of the variety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Little is known regarding the interactions of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T and methionine synthase reductase (MTRR) A66G polymorphisms with overweight/obesity on serum lipid profiles. The aim of the current study was to explore interactions between the two polymorphisms and overweight/obesity on four common lipid levels in a Chinese Han population and further to evaluate whether these interactions exhibit gender-specificity. Methods: A total of 2239 participants (750 females and 1489 males) were enrolled into this study. The genotypes of the MTHFR C677T and MTRR A66G were determined by a TaqMan assay. Overweight and obesity were defined as a body mass index between 24 and 27.99 and ≥ 28 kg/m2, respectively. The interactions were examined by factorial design covariance analysis, and further multiple comparisons were conducted by Bonferroni correction. Results: There was no significant difference in the genotypic and allelic frequencies between females and males (MTHFR 677 T allele: 54.47 % for females and 54.40 % for males; MTRR 66G allele: 24.73 % for females and 24.71 % for males). Interaction between the MTHFR C677T polymorphism and overweight/obesity on serum triglyceride levels, and interaction between the MTRR A66G polymorphism and overweight/obesity on serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were detected in women (P = 0.015 and P = 0.056, respectively). For female subjects with overweight/obesity, the serum triglyceride levels in MTHFR 677TT genotype [1.09 (0.78-1.50) mmol/L] were significantly higher as compared with MTHFR 677CC genotype [0.90 (0.60-1.15) mmol/L, P = 0.007], and the MTRR 66GG genotype carriers had higher serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels than those with MTRR 66AG genotype (1.46 ± 0.50 vs. 1.19 ± 0.31 mmol/L, P = 0.058). Furthermore, in male subjects with overweight/obesity, the MTHFR 677CT genotype carriers had higher low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels than those with MTHFR 677TT genotype (2.96 ± 1.07 vs. 2.74 ± 0.88 mmol/L, P = 0.015). Conclusions: Our results indicate that there exist interactive effects of the MTHFR C677T and MTRR A66G polymorphisms with overweight/obesity on some lipid traits in Chinese Han population, and the effects were gender-specific. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An axially displaced monopulse dual-reflector antenna operating at W band is proposed in this study. The antenna configuration consists of a hyperboloid as the subreflector, a combination of series of paraboloids with different focal length as the main reflector and a low-loss sum-and-difference network, which is based on waveguide magic Ts and bent waveguides. Compared with traditional dual-reflector antenna, axial size and weight of this novel antenna can be reduced to a certain extent. Measured results show that the gain is 40.1 dBi, the sidelobe is <-19.7 dB and the null-depth is <-27.7 dB at the central frequency. The radiation patterns remain almost the same in the bandwidth. It is demonstrated that this antenna exhibits good radiation performances and is suitable for inter-satellite systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prior evidence indicates that homocysteine plays a role in the development of metabolic syndrome (MetS). Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T and methionine synthase reductase (MTRR) A66G polymorphisms are common genetic determinants of homocysteine levels. To investigate the associations of the MTHFR C677T and MTRR A66G polymorphisms with MetS, 692 Chinese Han subjects with MetS and 878 controls were recruited. The component traits of MetS and the MTHFR C677T and MTRR A66G genotypes were determined. A significant association was observed between the MTHFR 677T allele and increased risk of MetS, high fasting blood glucose, high waist circumference, and increasing number of MetS components. The MTRR A66G polymorphism was associated with an increased risk of MetS when combined with the MTHFR 677TT genotype, although there was no association found between MetS and MTRR A66G alone. Furthermore, the MTRR 66GG genotype was associated with high fasting blood glucose and triglycerides. Our data suggest that the MTHFR 677T allele may contribute to an increased risk of MetS in the northern Chinese Han population. The MTRR A66G polymorphism is not associated with MetS. However, it may exacerbate the effect of the MTHFR C677T variant alone. Further large prospective population-based studies are required to confirm our findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sarcoidosis is a systemic granulomatous disease, which is thought to result from an aberrant immune response. CD4+ T lymphocytes play an important role in the development of granulomas. Previously, the immunopathogenesis of sarcoidosis was focused on Th1/Th2 disturbances. The aim of this study was to evaluate the balance between newer CD4+ T lymphocytes, i.e., Treg and Th17 cells. In our studies, a decrease in Treg cells and an increase in Th17 cells were observed in the peripheral blood and BALF of sarcoidosis patients. A significant increase in the Th17/Treg cell ratio was observed in sarcoidosis patients. After treatment with prednisone, the expression of Foxp3 mRNA was elevated in the peripheral blood, and expression of (ROR)?t mRNA showed a downward trend. These findings suggest that sarcoidosis is associated with an imbalance between Th17 and Treg cells in peripheral blood and BALF. Therefore, targeting the cytokines that affect the Th17/Treg ratio could provide a new promising therapy for pulmonary sarcoidosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pirfenidone (PFD) is a novel antifibrotic agent approved for patients with pulmonary fibrosis. However, there are concerns regarding toxicity of the drug. In this meta-analysis, we analyzed the adverse events (AEs) of PFD for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis. Methods: We performed a systematic search of PubMed, Embase, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for trials published between January 1999 and October 2011. Data extracted from literature were analyzed with Review manager 5.0.24. Results: The results of six randomized controlled trials (1073 participants) revealed that the number of individuals who discontinued PFD therapy was significantly higher than patients receiving placebo. The PFD group had a significantly higher rate of gastrointestinal (nausea, dyspepsia, diarrhea, and anorexia), neurological (dizziness and fatigue), and dermatological (photosensitivity and rash) AEs compared to the placebo group. Conclusions: PFD used for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis is not so safe or well-tolerated. Notably, gastrointestinal, neurological and dermatological adverse effects were more common in patients receiving PFD therapy, and therefore appropriate precaution is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) involve multiple pathways, such as inflammation, epithelial mesenchymal transition, coagulation, oxidative stress, and developmental processes. The small GTPase, RhoA, and its target protein, Rho-kinase (ROCK), may interact with other signaling pathways known to contribute to pulmonary fibrosis. This study aimed to determine the beneficial effects and mechanisms of fasudil, a selective ROCK inhibitor, on bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice. Our results showed that the Aschcroft score and hydroxyproline content of the bleomycin-treated mouse lung decreased in response to fasudil treatment. The number of infiltrated inflammatory cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was attenuated by fasudil. In addition, fasudil reduced the production of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) mRNA and protein expression in bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. These findings suggest that fasudil may be a potential therapeutic candidate for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]