[Review of the 60 years' development of Jiangxi burn medicine on the 60th anniversary of Chinese burn discipline]

This year marks the 60th anniversary of establishment of burn discipline in China and also the 60th anniversary of the development of burn medicine in Jiangxi. This paper reviews the development history of burn discipline in China and development history, present situation, and direction of burn medicine in the future in Jiangxi, in order to provide suggestions for burn medicine in Jiangxi.

[Robot-assisted partial nephrectomy for treating renal hilar tumors: a clinical study of 22 cases]

Objective: To analyze and summarize the surgical experience of robotic-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (RAPN) for treating renal hilar tumors, and assess the efficacy and safety of this surgery. Methods: The clinical data of 22 renal hilar tumor patients who underwent RAPN in Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine between September 2015 and September 2017 was analyzed. The patients included 19 males and 3 females, with an average age of (55.6 ±13.0) years old and the age range was 28-75 years. In 13 cases, the tumors were in left kidney, and 9 in the right. There were 10 large tumors (>4 cm diameter), the average tumor size was (3.7±1.9) cm. Preoperative glomerular filtration rate was normal in all cases. Results: The surgery was successfully finished in all of the cases, with no conversion to open surgery. The mean duration of the surgery was 80-270 min, with an average of (134.7±44.5) min. The blood loss was 80-500 ml, with an average of (135.9±130.7) ml, and none of the cases needed intraoperative blood transfusion. The warm ischemia time was 8-25 min, with an average of (18.2±4.0) min. The postoperative length of hospitalization was 7-23 d, with an average of (11.5±4.1) d. Serious gross hematuria occurred in 1 patient, and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation occurred in 1 patient after surgery. The post-operative pathology showed renal clear cell carcinoma in 18 cases, papillary renal cell carcinoma in 2 cases, chromophobe cell carcinoma in 1 case and well differentiated neuroendocrine tumor in 1 case. The tumor resection margin was negative in all cases. Neither local recurrence nor metastasis was observed during a follow-up of 1 to 15 months. Renal function of all the patients was in normal range. Conclusion: RAPN is a safe, useful approach and a minimally invasive operation for treating renal hilar tumors and it owns crucial advantages in complete and accurate resection of the renal hilar tumors and the reconstruction of the kidney.

[The status quo and analysis of quality control of cancer chemotherapy in 76 hospitals in Beijing]

Objective: Investigated the status quo of quality control of cancer chemotherapy in hospitals in Beijing to discover the main problems and provide the improvement measures. Methods: One medical record of cancer chemotherapy was taken every month for examination of quality control, and a total of 10 medical records in each hospital were examined. A total of 756 medical records from 76 hospitals were examined. Results: The results of analysis showed that the overall standardization and quality control of cancer chemotherapy was positively correlated with the grade of hospital. Only 36.8% of the hospitals were equipped with Pharmacy Intravenous Admixture Services (PIVAS). In terms of quality control of chemotherapy and medicine, the department of oncology had better performance than other departments (P<0.01). The scores of quality control of chemotherapy and medicine in the hospitals with clinical specialist pharmacists were 50.6 and 14.5, significantly higher than 47.2 and 12.7 of those without clinical specialist pharmacists (P<0.05). Conclusion: We should focus on the quality control of cancer chemotherapy in secondary hospitals, reinforce the training of oncology specialists, establish the admission system of oncologists, enhance the training of oncology clinical pharmacists and promote the standardization of cancer chemotherapy.

A photovoltaic self-powered gas sensor based on a single-walled carbon nanotube/Si heterojunction

We present a novel photovoltaic self-powered gas sensor based on a p-type single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) and n-type silicon (n-Si) heterojunction. The energy from visible light suffices to drive the device owing to a built-in electric field (BEF) induced by the differences between the Fermi levels of SWNTs and n-Si.

[Tumor derived IgG suppress the proliferation of T cells in cord blood]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the function of tumor derived IgG (tIgG) and whether the tIgG can inhibit T cells activity.

METHODS

The tIgG was purified from ovarian cancer tissue. The cord blood monocyte cells (CBMC) and cord blood lymphocyte (CBL) were isolate from human umbilical cord blood. The CBMC and CBL were stimulated with phytohaemagg lutinin (PHA) in order to let the CBMC and CBL in the state of proliferation. Carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl amino ester (CFSE) was cultured with CBMC and CBL. CFSE had no cell toxicity, which could penetrate through the cell membrane and combine the intracellular protein. The fluorescence intensity decreased with the proliferation of cells step by step, so the proliferation of these cells could be detected in flow ctytometry. The tIgG which was purified from ovarian cancer tissue was divided into three groups, 1 mg/L group, 10 mg/L group, and 100 mg/L group, and the intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) was also divided into three groups too. The CBMC and CBL were treated by tIgG with 1 mg/L, 10 mg/L, and 100 mg/L in order to observe the proliferation of T cells. The cells were treated with IVIG as a positive control group, and the cells were treated with phosphate buffer saline (PBS) as a negative control. The proliferation of CD4⁺ or CD8⁺ T cells were detected in CBMC and CBL. The proliferation of the T cells in CBMC and CBL after 64 h and 86 h were detected.

RESULTS

In the system of CBMC, the tIgG could suppress the proliferation of CD4⁺ or CD8⁺ T cells. The results could also be found in the system of CBL. The CD4⁺ or CD8⁺ T cells in the group which were treated with PBS were more active than those in the group which were treated with tIgG and IVIG. The suppression in the group which were treated with tIgG, was stronger than that in the group treated with IVIG. In addition, the suppression of T cells in the group which were stimulated with tIgG as 100 mg/L was more effective than that in the group which were stimulated with tIgG as 10 mg/L. This could prove that tIgG had the function of immunomodulation.

CONCLUSION

The tIgG can be involved in immune escape of cancer.

[Bortezomib inhibits hypoxia-induced increase of Orai-1 expression in pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cell]

Objective: In this study, a primary culture system for the rat distal pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cell (PASMC) was established to observe the effect of Bortezomib a treatment on the basal intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca(2+) ](i)), store operated calcium entry (SOCE) and Orai-1 expression in rat PASMC. Methods: We employed the primary culture method for the rat distal PASMC including the enzymatically dissociation of PASMC from the freshly isolated distal pulmonary artery and the culture of PASMC. The In Cyte system was used to measure the basal [Ca(2+) ](i) and SOCE after substantial treatment.Orai-1 protein expression in rat pulmonary artery smooth muscle was detected by Western blot. Results: Compared with Hypoxia group, the basal [Ca(2+) ](i) were significantly reduced in Hypoxia+ BTZ group(P<0.01). The basal [Ca(2+) ](i) A340/A380 ratio of Normoxia group was(1.07±0.02). The basal [Ca(2+) ](i) of Hypoxia group was(1.49±0.03); The Hypoxia+ BTZ group was(1.17±0.03). Compared with Hypoxia group, the store operated calcium entry were significantly reduced in Hypoxia+ BTZ group(P<0.01). The SOCE A340/A380 ratio of Normoxia group was(0.56±0.02). The SOCE of Hypoxia group was(0.84±0.02); The Hypoxia+ BTZ group was(0.66±0.02). The level of Orail-1 protein in pulmonary artery smooth muscle of Hypoxia group was (181.5±12.7)% higher than control group which was(100±0)%, (P<0.05). In the Hypoxia+ BTZ group Orai-1 protein expression was recovered(146.7±15.1)%, (P<0.05). Conclusion: Bortezomib inhibit chronically hypoxic enhancement of Orail-1 protein expression, basal [Ca(2+) ](i) and SOCE in rat distal pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells.

[The value of fasting plasma glucose and lipid profiles between 7 and 15 gestational weeks in the prediction of gestational diabetes mellitus]

Objective: To explore the value of using fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and lipid profiles between 7 and 15 gestational weeks to predict gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Methods: The medical records of 2 138 pregnant women who had prenatal care in Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital from August 2011 to February 2012 were analyzed retrospectively. According to results of the oral glucose tolerance tests, women were devided into the GDM group (n=240) and the normal group (n=1 898). Maternal characteristics, FPG and lipid levels between 7 and 15 gestational weeks were compared between the two groups. Logistic regression analysis and receiver operator characteristics(ROC) curve were used in the analysis. Results: Potential markers for the prediction of GDM included total cholesterol, triglyceride (TG) , low-density lipoprotein cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratios (LDL-C/HDL-C) , triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratios (TG/HDL-C) and FPG. After adjustment of confounding factors, age (OR=1.046, 95%CI:1.003-1.090), pre- pregnancy body mass index (OR=1.104, 95%CI: 1.049-1.161), gravidity>3 (OR=1.768, 95%CI:1.071-2.920), FPG (OR=8.137, 95%CI:5.412-12.236), TG (OR=1.460, 95%CI:1.148-1.858) were independently associated with the risk of developing GDM. Equation, P_GDM=1/{1+exp[-(-16.542+0.045×age+0.103×pre-pregnancy body mass index+0.551×gravidity>3+2.110×FPG+0.372×TG)]}, was constructed by the logistic regression analysis. Sensitivity (67.5%) and specificity (70.5%) were determined by the calculated risk score, with a cut-off value of 0.11 (area under the curve: 0.751, 95%CI:0.718-0.783, P<0.001). Conclusions: FPG and TG, together with clinical characteristics may have a better predictive value for the risk of GDM.

Induction of trap formation in nematode-trapping fungi by bacteria-released ammonia

A total of 11 bacterial strains were assayed for bacteria-induced trap formation in the nematode-trapping fungus Arthrobotrys oligospora YMF1·01883 with two-compartmented Petri dish. These strains were identified on the basis of their 16S rRNA gene sequences. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of eight isolates were extracted using solid-phase micro-extraction (SPME) and their structures were identified based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). At the same time, all isolates were used for quantitative measurement of ammonia by the indophenol blue method. The effects of pure commercial compounds on inducement of trap formation in A. oligospora were tested. Taken together, results demonstrated that the predominant bacterial volatile compound inducing trap formation was ammonia. Meanwhile, ammonia also played a role in other nematode-trapping fungi, including Arthrobotrys guizhouensis YMF1·00014, producing adhesive nets; Dactylellina phymatopaga YMF1·01474, producing adhesive knobs; Dactylellina cionopaga YMF1·01472, producing adhesive columns and Drechslerella brochopaga YMF1·01829, producing constricting rings.

Complete mitochondrial genome sequence and gene organization of Chinese indigenous chickens with phylogenetic considerations

In this study, we sequenced the complete mitochondrial DNA of Chinese indigenous Jinhu Black-bone and Rugao chickens. The two chicken mitochondrial genomes were deposited in GenBank under accession Nos. KP742951 and KR347464, respectively. The complete mitochondrial genomes of Jinhu Black-bone and Rugao chickens were sequenced and found to span 16,785 and 16,786 bp, respectively, and consisted of 22 tRNA genes, two rRNA genes (12S rRNA and 16S rRNA), 13 protein-coding genes, and one control region (D-loop). The majority of genes were positioned on the H-strand, and the ND6 and eight tRNA genes were found to be encoded on the L-strand. The mitogenomes showed a similar gene order to that of the published Gallus gallus genome, as neither included a control region. The overall base composition of the genome of the two chickens was A = 30.22/30.28%, G = 13.57/13.49%, T = 23.74/23.76%, and C = 32.48/32.48%. Nucleotide skewness of the coding strands of the two chicken genomes (AT-skew = 0.12, GC-skew = -0.41) was biased towards T and G. Phylogenetic analysis revealed 29 subspecies, and the molecular genetic relationship among the 29 subspecies was identical to that of traditional taxonomy.

Large-Scale Self-Assembly of 3D Flower-like Hierarchical Ni/Co-LDHs Microspheres for High-Performance Flexible Asymmetric Supercapacitors

In this study, a facile and inexpensive and self-assembled strategy to massively fabricate Ni/Co layered double hydroxides (LDHs) is developed under mild reaction conditions (55 °C). The resulting composite material displays a special three-dimensional hierarchical microsphere structure with well-defined flower-like configuration. The fabrication mechanism can be ascribed to stepwise and regular reaction process of nanoparticles and nanosheets gradually growing to nanopetals and then assembling into flower-like microspheres, based on the systematically investigation of various reaction factors including the Ni:Co feeding ratio, the reaction time and the initial pH-value. Because of its large surface, ultrathin feature and synergetic results of this Ni/Co LDHs nanosheets (20 nm), these Ni/Co-LDHs microspheres deliver an excellent capacitance value about 2228 F·g(-1) (1 A·g(-1)). An all-solid-state flexible asymmetric supercapacitor is designed and assembled by exploiting this Ni/Co-LDHs as the positive materials, which exhibits energy density of 165.51 Wh·kg(1-) at 1.53 KW·kg(1-). It may have vast potential significance in personal wearable equipment. Moreover, this monolithic design provides a promising approach for large scale fabrication of other LDHs materials.

Elemental carbon and polycyclic aromatic compounds in a 150-year sediment core from Lake Qinghai, Tibetan Plateau, China: influence of regional and local sources and transport pathways

Elemental carbon (EC) and polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) are potential proxies for the reconstruction of change in human activities and the origin of air masses in historic times. In this study, the historic deposition of char and soot (the two subtypes of EC) and PACs in a 150-year sediment core from different topographic subbasins of Lake Qinghai on the Qinghai Tibetan Plateau (QTP) were reconstructed. The objective was to explore how the variations in the concentrations of EC and PACs, in the ratios of char to soot and of oxygenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (OPAHs) to parent PAHs, and in the composition of the PAC mixtures reflect historical changes in climate and human activity and the origin of air masses arriving at the QTP. The deposition fluxes of soot in the different subbasins were similar, averaging 0.18 (range of 0.15-0.25) and 0.16 (0.13-0.23) g m(-2) year(-1), respectively, but they varied for char (averaging 0.11 and 0.22 g m(-2) year(-1), respectively), suggesting ubiquitous atmospheric deposition of soot and local river inputs of char. The different vertical distributions of the char/soot ratios in the different subbasins can be interpreted in terms of the different transport mechanisms of char and soot. An abrupt increase in soot concentrations since 1980 coincides with results from the QTP ice cores that were interpreted to be indicative of soot transport from South Asia. Similar concentration patterns of PAHs with soot and 9,10-anthraquinone/anthracene (9,10-AQ/ANT) ratios all >2.0 suggest regional PAC sources. Increasing PAH/soot ratios and decreasing 9,10-AQ/ANT ratios since the beginning of the 1970s indicate increasing local emissions. The historical trends of these diagnostic ratios indicate an increase in the fossil-fuel contribution since the beginning of the 1970s. The increase of perylene concentrations with increasing core depth and the ratio of perylene to its penta-aromatic isomers indicate that perylene originates mainly from in situ biogenic diagenesis. We demonstrate that the concentrations of EC, char, soot, and PACs in sediments can be used to reconstruct local, regional, and remote sources and transport pathways of pollutants to the QTP.

First Report of Alternaria alternata Causing Black Leaf Spot of Rubber Tree in China

We first reported Alternaria heveae (E.G. Simmons ) to be the pathogen that caused black leaf spot of rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg) in Heikou county in July 2014 (1). Black leaf spots that resembled the symptoms caused by A. heveae were observed on the leaves of rubber trees of the whole propagule collection nursery in Jingping County (22°68' N and 103°05' E) of Yunnan Province. Black foliar spots (0.1 to 2 mm in diameter) surrounded by a yellow halo with lesions slightly sunken on the leaf surface were observed. To confirm whether the disease was caused by the same pathogen, 5-mm² sections were removed from the leading edge of the lesion and were surface-sterilized in 75% ethanol, air-dried, plated on potato carrot agar (PCA), and incubated at 28°C in the dark. Colonies of the fungus on PCA had round margins and little aerial mycelia with gray-black coloration after 6 days of growth on PCA (2). Medium brown conidia were found to be in short chains of two to eight spores, ovoid, obclavate, and obpyriform, with or without a short conical or cylindrical-shaped apical beak. Conidia ranged from 22.5 to 67.5 μm long (mean 39.9 μm) × 10 to 15 μm wide (mean 12.5 μm; 100 colodia were measured), with three to six transverse septa and zero to three longitudinal or oblique septa. Morphological characteristics matched the descriptions of A. alternata [(Fries) Keissler] (4).The ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region of one single-spore isolate, Ah02JP1, was amplified with primers ITS1 and ITS4. The PCR product was sequenced directly and deposited in GenBank (Accession No. KM111289). A BLAST search of the GenBank database revealed 100% similarity with A. alternata isolates KJ829535.1, KJ677246.1, and KF813070.1. Therefore, the pathogen was identified as A. alternata on the basis of its morphological characteristics and ITS sequence. Pathogenicity of a representative isolate, Ah02JP1 was confirmed using a field rubber tree inoculation method. Three rubber plants (the clone of rubber tree Yunyan77-4) were grown to the copper-colored leaf stage. Leaves were spray-inoculated (10⁴ conidia per milliliter spore suspension) until drops were equally distributed using a manual pressure sprayer. Three rubber plants sprayed with sterile distilled water were used as controls. After inoculation, the plants were covered with plastic bags to maintain high relative humidity. The plastic bags were removed 2 days post-inoculation (dpi), and the plants were monitored daily for symptom development. Five days post-inoculation, spots similar to the original ones seen on the field trees developed on all inoculated leaves, while control leaves remained symptomless. A. alternata was re-isolated from spray-inoculated leaves, confirming Koch's postulates. A. alternata has been reported as the causal agent of leaf blight of rubber tree in India, which initially appeared as minute spots on leaves and enlarged with the growth of the leaves (3). However, in the present study, the symptoms (black leaf spots) remained small over time after inoculation. To our knowledge, this is the first report of A. alternata on rubber tree in China. Correct identification of pathogens is essential for disease management strategies. This report will establish a foundation for the further study of Alternaria alternata to address the disease effectively. References: (1) Z. Y. Cai et al. Plant Dis. 98:1011, 2014. (2) E. Mirkova. J. Phytopathol. 151:323, 2003. (3) C. B. Roy et al. J. Plantation Crops 34:499, 2006. (4) T. Y. Zhang. Page 32 in: Flora Fungorum Sinicorum, Vol. 16: Alternaria. Science Press, Beijing, 2003.

Efficient removal of Cr(VI) from wastewater under sunlight by Fe(II)-doped TiO₂ spherical shell

Fe(II)-doped TiO2 spherical shell catalyst was synthesized by one-pot hydrothermal method. The photocatalytic removal of Cr(VI) from plating wastewater under sunlight of the catalyst was demonstrated. It was found that the removal effectiveness of about 99.99% for initial Cr(VI) concentration of 102.3 ppm and 99.01% for 153.4 ppm under 3h sunlight irradiation is realized. The Fe(II) ions serve not only as reducing agents for reducing the Cr(VI) to Cr(III) but also as an intermedium of a two-step reduction, in which the TiO2 photoreduces the Fe(II) ions to Fe atoms firstly, and then the Fe atoms reduce the Cr(VI) to Cr(III). The improved photocatalytic activity of the catalyst is considered due to the synergistic effect of a multi reducing process by Fe(II) doping. The extended optical response and effectively utilization of sunlight of the special spherical-shell-like morphology also contribute to the enhanced photocatalytic activity.

Association of chicken growth hormone polymorphisms with egg production

Growth hormone (GH) has diverse functions in animals, together with other hormones from the somatotropic axis. Here, chicken GH (cGH) was investigated in recessive white chickens and Qingyuan partridge chickens as a candidate gene affecting egg production traits. Chicken egg production traits were studied in association with 4 selected single nucleotide polymorphisms (T185G, G662A, T3094C, and C3199T). Genotyping was performed by the polymerase chain reaction-ligase detection reaction method. T185G was significantly associated with the egg production traits of body weight at first egg (BW), egg weight at first egg (EW), and the total egg production of 300-day old birds (EN 300). T3094C was also significantly associated with certain egg production traits; however, it affected the 2 breeds differently. Haplotypes of the 4 single nucleotide polymorphisms were also significantly associated with egg production traits of chicken age at first egg laying, BW, EW, and EN 300. H1H6 was the most advantageous diplotype for egg production. We putatively concluded that polymorphisms in the cGH gene and its haplotypes could be used as potential molecular markers for egg production traits to enhance the breeding programs of indigenous chickens.

First Report of Alternaria heveae Causing Black Leaf Spot of Rubber Tree in China

Rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg.) is an important industrial crop of tropical areas for natural rubber production. In October 2013, foliar spots (0.1 to 0.4 mm in diameter), black surrounded by a yellow halo, and with lesions slightly sunken were observed on the rubber tree leaf in a growing area in Heikou County of Yunnan Province. Lesion tissues removed from the border between symptomatic and healthy tissue were surface sterilized in 75% ethanol and air-dried, plated on PDA plates, and incubated at 28°C with alternating day/night cycles of light. The pathogen was observed growing out of many of the leaf pieces, and produced abundant conidia. Colonies 6.1 cm in diameter developed on potato carrot agar (PCA) after 7 days, with well-defined concentric rings of growth. Colonies on PCA were composed of fine, dark, radiating, surface and subsurface hyphae. Conidia produced in PCA culture were mostly solitary or in short chains of 2 to 5 spores, long ovoid to clavate, and light brown, 40 to 81.25 × 8 to 20 μm (200 colonies were measured), with 3 to 6 transverse septa and 0 to 2 longitudinal or oblique septa. Morphological characteristics were similar to those described for Alternaria heveae (3,4). A disease of rubber tree caused by Alternaria sp. had been reported in Mexico in 1947 (2). DNA of Ah01HK13 isolate was extracted for PCR and sequencing of the ITS region with ITS1 and ITS4 primers was completed. From the BLAST analysis, the sequence of Ah01HK13 (GenBank Accession No. KF953884), had 97% similarity to A. dauci, 96% identical to A. macrospora (AY154701.1 and DQ156342.1, respectively), indicating the pathogen belonged to Alternaria genus. According to morphological characteristics, this pathogen was identified as A. heveae. Pathogenicity of representative isolate, Ah01HK13 was confirmed using a field rubber tree inoculation method. Three rubber plants (the clone of rubber tree Yunyan77-4) were grown to the copper-colored leaf stage and inoculated by spraying spore suspension (concentration = 10⁴ conidia/ml) to the copper-colored leaves until drops were equally distributed on it using manual pressure sprayer. Three rubber plants sprayed with sterile distilled water were used as controls. After inoculation, the plants were covered with plastic bags. The plastic bags were removed after 2 days post-inoculation (dpi) and monitored daily for symptom development (1). The experiment was repeated three times. The typical 0.1 to 0.4 mm black leaf spots were observed 7 dpi. No symptoms were observed on control plants. A fungus with the same colony and conidial morphology as A. heveae were re-isolated from leaf lesions on inoculated rubber plants, but not from asymptomatic leaves of control plants, fulfilling Koch's postulates. Based on these results, the disease was identified as black spot of rubber tree caused by A. heveae. To our knowledge, this is the first report of A. heveae on rubber tree in China. References: (1) Z. Y. Cai et al. Microbiol Res. 168:340, 2013. (2) W. J. Martin. Plant Dis. Rep. 31:155, 1947. (3) E. G. Simmons. Mycotaxon 50:262, 1994. (4) T. Y. Zhang. Page 111 in: Flora Fungorum Sinicorum: Alternaria, Science Press, Beijing, 2003.

Carbohydrate metabolism changes in Prunus persica gummosis infected with Lasiodiplodia theobromae

Peach gummosis represents a significant global disease of stone fruit trees and a major disease in the south peach production area of the Yangtze River of China. In this study, the carbohydrate composition of peach shoots during infection by Lasiodiplodia theobromae was examined. The expression of genes related to metabolic enzymes was also investigated. Control wounded and noninoculated tissue, lesion tissue, and wounded and inoculated surrounding lesion tissue of peach shoots were analyzed. Soluble sugars, glucose, mannose, arabinose, and xylose significantly increased in inoculated tissues of peach shoots compared with control tissues at different times after inoculation. Accumulation of polysaccharides was also observed by section observation and periodic acid Schiff's reagent staining during infection. Analysis using quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction revealed that the abundance of key transcripts on the synthesis pathway of uridine diphosphate (UDP)-D-glucuronate, UDP-D-galactose, and UDP-D-arabinose increased but the synthesis of L-galactose and guanosine diphosphate-L-galactose were inhibited. After inoculation, the transcript levels of sugar transport-related genes (namely, SUT, SOT, GMT, and UGT) was induced. These changes in sugar content and gene expression were directly associated with peach gum polysaccharide formation and may be responsible for the symptoms of peach gummosis.

Thermal oxidation of V2O3 nanocrystals: a template method for the fabrication of monoclinic phase VO2 nanocrystals

We report the fabrication of VO2(M) nanocrystals by direct thermal oxidation V2O3 nanocrystals. The controlling of the thermal oxidation temperature and vacuum is essential for obtaining pure VO2(M) nanocrystals. The VO2(M) nanocrystals have nearly a spherical morphology with sizes ranging from 50 to 80 nm and well dispersed. The phase transition temperature is about 65 degrees C with relatively narrow endothermic and exothermal peaks in DSC curve. Variable temperature resistance and infrared transmission measurements demonstrate a reversible phase transition of the VO2(M) nanocrystals. Our method is facile, economical and can be easily scaled-up for mass production.

Ag-decorated TiO₂ nanograss for 3D SERS-active substrate with visible light self-cleaning and reactivation

The production of SERS-active substrates which are uniform, sensitive, reproducibile and durable still remains an important issue. Here, we report a strategy for the fabrication of a large-area Ag-decorated TiO₂ nanograss SERS-active substrate by a simple solvothermal approach combined with Ag evaporation. The nanograss consists of dense rutile TiO₂ nanorods of about 5 nm in diameter and the decorated Ag nanoparticles are an average of 8 nm in diameter. The Ag protrusions and gaps between them contribute to three dimensional SERS "hot spots" which can be modulated by simply controlling the Ag evaporating parameters. The Ag-decorated TiO₂ substrate is highly efficient in detecting rhodamine 6G (R6G) and 4-aminothiophenol (4-ATP) molecules and has good homogeneity. An obvious red shift and even high enhancement of b₂ vibration mode were observed in detecting 4-ATP due to the effective charge transfer from the Ag atoms to sulfur atoms. The Ag-decorated TiO₂ substrate can be easily self-cleaned and reactivated by visible light irradiation without obvious degeneration of SERS signals. Our results demonstrate that the Ag-decorated TiO₂ substrate with high and homogeneous SERS activity has potential feasibility as a sensitive SERS probe.

Estimating tulathromycin withdrawal time in pigs using a physiologically based pharmacokinetics model

A physiologically based pharmacokinetics model was developed to predict tulathromycin concentrations in edible swine tissues. Physiological parameters included volumes of and plasma flows through different tissues which were obtained from the literatures. The tissue/plasma partition coefficient was calculated according to the area method, and the model was validated through a comparison of predicted and observed concentrations. Withdrawal times in different tissues were predicted. The physiologically based pharmacokinetics model presented here provided accurate predictions of the observed concentrations in all tissues. The results showed that the injection site had the longest withdrawal time (21 days), followed by skin together with fat (19 days) and then kidney (10 days), lung (6 days), liver (4 days) and muscle (1 day). A withdrawal time of 21 days was finally predicted for tulathromycin in swine after a single intramuscular injection at 2.5 mg/kg body weight.

Recyclable magnetic photocatalysts of Fe2+/TiO2 hierarchical architecture with effective removal of Cr(VI) under UV light from water

We report the synthesis and photocatalytic removal of Cr(VI) from water of hierarchical micro/nanostructured Fe(2+)/TiO(2) tubes. The TiO(2) tubes fabricated by a facile solvothermal approach show a three-level hierarchical architecture assembled from dense nanosheets nearly vertically standing on the surface of TiO(2) microtube. The nanosheets with a thickness of about 20 nm are composed of numerous TiO(2) nanocrystals with size in the range of 15-20 nm. Ferrous ions are doped into the hierarchical architecture by a reduction route. The Fe(2+)/TiO(2) catalyst demonstrates an effective removal of Cr(VI) from water under UV light and the removal effectiveness reaches 99.3% at the initial Cr(VI) concentration of 10 mg L(-1). The ferrous ion in the catalyst serves not as the photo-electron trap but as an intermedium of a two-step reduction. The TiO(2) photoreduces the Fe(2+) ions to Fe atoms firstly, then the Fe atoms reduce the Cr(VI) to Cr(III), and the later is removed by adsorption. The hierarchical architecture of the catalyst serves as a reactor for the photocatalytic reaction of Cr(VI) ions and an effective absorbent for the removal of Cr(III) ions. The catalyst can be easily magnetically separated from the wastewater after photocatalytic reaction and recycled after acid treatment.

Ubiquitins of Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus and Helicoverpa armigera nucleopolyhedrovirus show distinct subcellular localization in infected cells

Ubiquitin (UB) is a conserved protein that regulates a number of processes in eukaryotic cells. Nearly all lepidopteran baculoviruses encode UB homologs showing a partial sequence identity with human UB (Hu-UB). In this study, the sequence, predicted 3D-structure and subcellular localization of UB homologs encoded by two different nucleopolyhedroviruses of Bombyx mori (BmNPV) and Helicoverpa armigera (HaNPV) were compared. UBs of BmNPV and HaNPV (Bm-UB, Ha-UB, respectively) shared only 73% of sequence identity of the different aa in relation to Hu-UB being localized in non-conserved parts, namely in two heterogeneous regions of aa 15-32 and aa 53-60. Interestingly, Bm-UB and Ha-UB share the same seven lysines except for an additional Lys54 in Bm-UB. However, in spite of the sequence heterogeneity, Bm-UB and Ha-UB have a similar predicted 3D-structure. A difference in their subcellular localization during virus growth in insect cell lines was found in the late stage of formation of occlusion-derived virus (ODV). In particular Bm-UB was localized mainly and evenly in the nucleus, while Ha-UB on the nuclear membrane. These data suggest that (i) UBs, besides being engaged in various cellular processes, have a role in specific processes of virus growth, and (ii) Bm-UB and Ha-UB may show certain different activities associated with the virus growth.

Free energy of nascent-chain folding in the translocon

During their synthesis, many water-soluble proteins and nearly all membrane proteins transit through a protein-conducting channel in the membrane, the Sec translocon, from where they are inserted into the lipid bilayer. Increasing evidence indicates that folding of the nascent protein begins already within the ribosomal exit tunnel in a sequence- and environment-dependent fashion. To examine the effects of the translocon on the nascent-chain folding, we have calculated the potential of mean force for α-helix formation of a 10-alanine oligopeptide as a function of its position within the translocon channel. We find that the predominant conformational states, α-helical and extended, reflect those found for the peptide in water. However, the translocon, via its surface properties and its variable diameter, shifts the equilibrium in favor of the α-helical state. Thus, we suggest that the translocon facilitates not only the insertion of membrane proteins into the bilayer but also their folding.