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Objective: The aim of this study was to analysis the effect of cultivars on the adaptability of kiwifruit processing to chips while six cultivars of kiwifruit were used as the raw material. Methods: Kiwifruit chips were prepared by the method of vacuum freeze-dried. Sensory evaluation and nine indexes such as the yield of kiwifruit chips, water-soluble pectin, acid-soluble pectin, soluble sugar, total acid content, sugar-acid ratio. ascorbic acid content, hardness and crispness of kiwifruit chips were analyzed. Results: There were significantly differences among yield, nutrient content and sensory indicators in kiwifruit chips while the kiwifruit chips were prepared with different cultivars. Kiwifruit chips with cultivar name "Jinyan" were higher in yield, water-soluble pectin, soluble sugar and hardness of kiwifruit chips, but were lower in total acid content and crispness of kiwifruit chips. Kiwifruit chips with cultivar name "Jinmei" were higher in yield, water-soluble pectin, soluble sugar and ascorbic acid, and were lower in total acid, hardness and crispness of kiwi fruit chips. Kiwifruit chips with cultivar name "Jinyuan" were higher in water-soluble pectin, acid-soluble pectin, bound-pectin, soluble sugar, total acid and ascorbic acid, and were lower in hardness and crispness of kiwi fruit chips. Kiwifruit chips with cultivar name "Jintao" were higher in yield, sugar-acid ratio, ascorbic acid, hardness and crispness of the chips, and were lower in water-soluble pectin and total acid in kiwifruit chips. Kiwifruit chips with cultivar name "Cuiyu" were higher in yield, sugar-acid ratio, crispness of kiwifruit chips, and were lower in acid-soluble pectin, bound-pectin, soluble sugar, total acid and hardness of chips. Kiwifruit chips with cultivar name "Donghong" were higher in yield of kiwifruit chips, acid-soluble pectin, bound-pectin, soluble sugar, sugar-acid ratio and hardness of chips, and were lower in water-soluble pectin, total acid and crispness of chips. Conclusion: The cultivars of kiwifruit had extremely effect on the yield, nutrient content and sensory indicators of kiwifruit chips. Kiwifruit named "Donghong" was considered as the optimal cultivar to be prepared kiwifruit chips by vacuum freeze-drying method.

Hollow nanoporous carbon architectures (HNCs) present significant utilitarian value for a wide variety of applications. Facile and efficient preparation of HNCs has long been pursued but still remains challenging. Herein, we for the first time demonstrate that single‐component metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) crystals, rather than the widely reported hybrid ones which necessitate tedious operations for preparation, could enable the facile and versatile syntheses of functional HNCs. By controlling the growth kinetics, the MOFs crystals (STU‐1) are readily engineered into different shapes with designated styles of crystalline inhomogeneity. A subsequent one‐step pyrolysis of these MOFs with intraparticle difference can induce a simultaneous self‐hollowing and carbonization process, thereby producing various functional HNCs including yolk‐shell polyhedrons, hollow microspheres, mesoporous architectures, and superstructures. Superior to the existing methods, this synthetic strategy relies only on the complex nature of single‐component MOFs crystals without involving tedious operations like coating, etching, or ligand exchange, making it convenient, efficient, and easy to scale up. An ultra‐stable Na‐ion battery anode is demonstrated by the HNCs with extraordinary cyclability (93 % capacity retention over 8000 cycles), highlighting a high level of functionality of the HNCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pear (Pyrus pyrifolia) is an important accessory fruit in which the pear core is tarter than the pear pulp. However, the reason for the acidic core and diversity in the taste of the same fruit is not clear. In this study, we observed that the citrate contents were three times higher in the core than in the pulp, while the malate content decreased along with fruit development and was significantly lower in the core than in the pulp at 110 days after flowering. Overall transcript levels for citrate-malate synthesis-related genes increased more in the pear core than the pulp at early fruit development, while degradation-related genes activity was nearly similar or non-significant between the core and pulp during fruit development. The lesser malate accumulation in the pear core compared to the pulp at 110 DAF was possibly due to the reduced activity of tDT2 gene. Regarding citrate accumulation, we identified five important p-type H+-ATPase genes in pear and found that the relative expression level of the PH8.1 gene was four-fold higher in the core than in the pulp during fruit development. Moreover, the expression level of di-carboxylate carrier gene 2 (DIC2) was constantly and significantly higher in the core than in the pulp. In addition, correlation analysis signified that the transcript levels of the two genes PH8.1 and DIC2 positively and significantly correlated with the citrate contents. These results suggested that the increased and collaborative activity of PH8.1 and DIC2 played a key role in the higher citrate accumulation in the core than the pulp, thus, with the help of molecular breeding tools, the citrate contents can be optimized in pear fruit for divers and improved fruit flavoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To summarize the clinical features and electrophysiological characteristics of stiff-person syndrome (SPS). Methods and Results Clinical data of 11 SPS patients [8 were classic and 3 were stiff-person plus syndrome (SPPS)], who were diagnosed and treated from August 2009 to November 2018, were retrospectively collected. They mainly presented paroxysmal muscle stiffness and pain spasm under stimulation or emotional excitement. The first affected sites were at trunk (4 cases) or limb (7 cases) muscles, and by the time of diagnosis, were mainly at truck muscles (8 cases). Anti - glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) antibody testing was positive in 6 cases. Electromyography (EMG) of all the patients showed continuous motor unit activity (CMUA) in the affected muscles at rest state. After treated by benzodiazepines, motor unit potential (MUP) obviously decreased or even disappeared in 6 patients. Conclusions Stiff-person syndrome is a rare autoimmune disease with multiple initial sites, atypical initial symptoms and difficulty in early diagnosis. It should be distinguished from many diseases such as familiar hyperekplexia, tetanus, myotonia congenita and multiple sclerosis (MS). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To report the efficacy and safety of lamotrigine in the treatment of one case of Becker myotonia congenita. Methods and Results A 17 - year - old male had muscle stiffness in the limbs as the first symptom, which could be alleviated after repeated exercise. The creatine kinase (CK) level was normal. Genetic testing showed there were two missense mutations c.1205C > T (p.Ala402Val) and c.896T > C (p.Val299Ala) located in exon 11 and 8 of CLCN1 gene respectively in the proband. The missense mutation c.1205C > T (p.Ala402Val) in exon 11 was found out in his mother and c.896T > C (p. Val299Ala) located in exon 8 was found out in his father. The latter, exon 8 c.896T > C of CLCN1 gene has not been reported. The proband was clearly diagnosed as Becker myotonia congenita, and his family was diagnosed as Becker myotonia congenita pedigree. After 5 years' treatment with lamotrigine, the symptom of myotonia was significantly improved and no adverse reactions was observed. Conclusions The missense mutation in exon 8 c.896T > C in this patient further expanded the CLCN1 gene mutation spectrum. Lamotrigine is effective in treating Becker myotonia congenita, providing a new idea for the treatment of myotonia congenita. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study was conducted to evaluate the embryonic development of broilers with different growth rates and correlate the differences between the amino acid transporter and peptide transporter gene expression patterns to the growth of the small intestine. The results showed that the body and yolk weights of the White Plymouth Rock (WPR) embryos were higher than those of the WENS Yellow Feather Chicken (WYFC) embryos although the relative embryonic body weights were inversely correlated. We studied nine organs and classified them into four clusters according to their changes in relative weight during the hatching process. The levels of gene expression of SLC7A9, SLC1A1 and SLC15A1 in the small intestine increased during embryo development and were affected by breed. Breed-specific differences in embryonic development were observed for SLC7A9, SLC1A1 and SLC15A1 gene expression. When represented as a function of SLC7A9, SLC1A1 or SLC15A1 gene expression, strong correlations were observed for the weight of small intestine. We conclude that WPR embryos have a higher absolute growth rate but a lower relative growth rate in comparison with WYFC embryos. Moreover, the expression levels of the SLC7A9, SLC1A1 or SLC15A1 genes can be used as indicators for the growth of the small intestine. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: To quantify the contribution of locally implemented prevention programmes in contributing to reductions in treatment and care costs by averting HIV infections among those who inject drugs this study calculates net financial benefit of providing harm reduction programmes using information from services being implemented in Urumqi, Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region of China ( between 2005 and 2010).Methods: Information was collected to assess cost of providing methadone treatment (MMT) and needle and syringe programmes (NSP). HIV incidence was estimated among people who inject drugs (PWID). HIV infections averted were calculated. Net benefit was assessed by estimating costs of providing prevention programmes and comparing these to the costs of providing care.Results: An estimated 5678 (range 3982-7599) HIV infections were averted between 2005 and 2010 and the net financial benefit of providing harm reduction programmes compared to treatment and care costs for HIV infections averted was USD 4.383 million during the same time period.Conclusion: These results demonstrate the net and accumulating benefit of investing in harm reduction programmes for PWID in Urumqi. The return on investment progressively increased during the time period studied and it is clear that these cost savings will continue to accrue with the continued implementation of HIV prevention interventions in the community that include harm reduction programmes targeted at PWID. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hollow nanoporous carbon architectures (HNCs) present significant utilitarian value for a wide variety of applications. Facile and efficient preparation of HNCs has long been pursued but still remains challenging. Herein, we for the first time demonstrate that single-component metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) crystals, rather than the widely reported hybrid ones which necessitate tedious operations for preparation, could enable the facile and versatile syntheses of functional HNCs. By controlling the growth kinetics, the MOFs crystals (STU-1) are readily engineered into different shapes with designated styles of crystalline inhomogeneity. A subsequent one-step pyrolysis of these MOFs with intraparticle difference can induce a simultaneous self-hollowing and carbonization process, thereby producing various functional HNCs including yolk-shell polyhedrons, hollow microspheres, mesoporous architectures, and superstructures. Superior to the existing methods, this synthetic strategy relies only on the complex nature of single-component MOFs crystals without involving tedious operations like coating, etching, or ligand exchange, making it convenient, efficient, and easy to scale up. An ultra-stable Na-ion battery anode is demonstrated by the HNCs with extraordinary cyclability (93 % capacity retention over 8000 cycles), highlighting a high level of functionality of the HNCs., (© 2024 Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

Background: The nuclear cap-binding complex (CBC)-dependent translation (CT) is an important initial translation pathway for 5'-cap-dependent translation in normal mammal cells. Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4A-III (eIF4A3), as an RNA helicase, is recruited to CT complex and enhances CT efficiency through participating in unwinding of secondary structure in the 5' UTR. However, the detailed mechanism for eIF4A3 implicated in unwinding of secondary structure in the 5' UTR in normal mammal cells is still unclear. Specially, we need to investigate whether the kind of mechanism in normal mammal cells extrapolates to cancer cells, e.g. ESCC, and further interrogate whether and how the mechanism triggers malignant phenotype of ESCC, which are important for identifying a potential therapeutic target for patients with ESCC. Methods: Bioinformatics analysis, RNA immunoprecipitation and RNA pulldown assays were performed to detect the interaction of circular RNA circ-231 with eIF4A3. In vitro and in vivo assays were performed to detect biological roles of circ-231 in ESCC. RNA immunoprecipitation, RNA pulldown, mass spectrometry analysis and co-immunoprecipitation assays were used to measure the interaction of circ-231, eIF4A3 and STAU1 in HEK293T and ESCC. In vitro EGFP reporter and 5' UTR of mRNA pulldown assays were performed to probe for the binding of circ-231, eIF4A3 and STAU1 to secondary structure of 5' UTR. Results: RNA immunoprecipitation assays showed that circ-231 interacted with eIF4A3 in HEK293T and ESCC. Further study confirmed that circ-231 orchestrated with eIF4A3 to control protein expression of TPI1 and PRDX6, but not for mRNA transcripts. The in-depth mechanism study uncovered that both circ-231 and eIF4A3 were involved in unwinding of secondary structure in 5' UTR of TPI1 and PRDX6. More importantly, circ-231 promoted the interaction between eIF4A3 and STAU1. Intriguingly, both circ-231 and eIF4A3 were dependent on STAU1 binding to secondary structure in 5' UTR. Biological function assays revealed that circ-231 promoted the migration and proliferation of ESCC via TPI1 and PRDX6. In ESCC, the up-regulated expression of circ-231 was observed and patients with ESCC characterized by higher expression of circ-231 have concurrent lymph node metastasis, compared with control. Conclusions: Our data unravels the detailed mechanism by which STAU1 binds to secondary structure in 5' UTR of mRNAs and recruits eIF4A3 through interacting with circ-231 and thereby eIF4A3 is implicated in unwinding of secondary structure, which is common to HEK293T and ESCC. However, importantly, our data reveals that circ-231 promotes migration and proliferation of ESCC and the up-regulated circ-231 greatly correlates with tumor lymph node metastasis, insinuating that circ-231 could be a therapeutic target and an indicator of risk of lymph node metastasis for patients with ESCC., Competing Interests: Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interest exists., (© The author(s).)

Objective: To investigate the effects of intercellular adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1) on the adherence between mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) and endothelial progenitor cells (EPC)., Methods: MSC and EPC were isolated, cultured and expanded from the 6-8 weeks aged C57BL/6 murine bone marrow by in vitro. Immuno-fluorescence was used to detect the expression of ICAM-1 in MSC group, EPC group and co-cultured MSC and EPC group. The mRNA and protein levels of ICAM-1 were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot respectively, then, the ICAM-1 adherence between MSC and EPC was observed by adding different concentration of neutralizing antibody., Results: The expression of ICAM-1 on surface of MSC and EPC could be detected by cell immunofluorescence method. According to results of the semiquantitative fluorescene detection, the fluorescence strength of MSC+EPC co-cultured group (89.02 ± 24.52) was higher than that of MSC group (31.25 ± 2.95) and EPC group (34.32 ± 5.02), and there was statistical difference between them (P < 0.01), but there was no obvious difference between MSC group and EPC group (P > 0.05). RT-PCR detection showed that the expression levels of ICAM-1 in MSC+EPC co-cultured group were higher than that in MSC group and that in EPC group (P < 0.01), and expression level of ICAM in EPC group was higher than that in MSC group (P < 0.01). Western blot detection showed that the expression level of ICAM-1 protein in MSC+EPC co-cultured group (0.33 ± 0.4) was higher than that in MSC group (0.11 ± 0.01) (P < 0.05) and than that in EPC group (0.19+0.02) (P < 0.05), However, the expression level of ICAM-1 protein in EPC group was higher than that in MSC group (P < 0.05). The test of different concentrations against neutralizing antibody showed that with the increasing of concentration of ICAM-1 neutralizing antibody, the adhesion capability of MSC and EPC was gradually decreasing., Conclusion: The ICAM-1 can mediate the adherence process between MSC and EPC.

Objective: To explore the response to nociceptive stimuli in spinal cord of neonatal rat and observe the electrical stimulation of sciatic nerve on synaptic plasticity of spinal dorsal horn, hippocampal CA1 region and spinal c-fos, hippocampal CA1 region expression in neonatal rats., Methods: The rats were divided into neonatal and adult groups. The evoked potentials of left spinal dorsal horn from T13-L1 and right hippocampal CA1 region were recorded. After conditional electric stimulations, the potential amplitudes were recorded. When the incubation period reached 120 min, D-AP5 was added to spinal cord of rats and resulting changes in field potential and c-fos expression were recorded., Results: Long-term potentiation (LTP) in neonatal rats was mainly evoked by A-type nerve fibers whereas LTP in adult rats was mainly evoked by C-type nerve fibers. C-fos expression was significantly increased in superficial, deep layers of spinal dorsal horn, ventral horn and hippocampal CA1 region in neonatal rats., Conclusion: Pain signals change with age.