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Slaughter plant waste proteins contain animal hair, bones, nails etc. Improper treatment will pollute the environment and result in waste of resources. A process is proposed to prepare gypsum retarder from such waste, firstly through hydrolysis at acidic condition, and then neutralized with alkalis. The optimal conditions for acid hydrolysis are obtained: concentration of HCL 4.8 mol/L, reaction temperature 98 °C, reaction time 7 h. After neutralization (to pH=7), the product can be used as gypsum retarder (retarder A). Compared with commonly used retarder, citric acid, the mechanical strength loss of gypsum paste containing retarder A is much lower. It is a cost-effective approach for safe utilization of slaughter plant waste proteins.

Gypsum block possesses good performances such as volume stability, lightweight and thermal insulation, is recognized as typical eco-friendly building material. However, its poor water resistance characteristics restrict the application. The semi-hydrated desulphurization gypsum is modified with steel slag, granulated blast-furnace and carbide slag (SGC) composite powder as well as waste glass-reinforced plastic (GFRP) fiber, aiming at producing water-resistant gypsum block. The proper mass proportioning of the modified gypsum block is obtained: semi-hydrated desulphurization gypsum 75%, SGC 25% and waste GFRP fiber 1.0%. The product is of softening coefficient of 0.84 and thermal flexural strength of 8.6 MPa. Phase change energy storage material (PCM) is used to increase the energy saving characteristics of the block. Compared with ordinary gypsum walls, the modified gypsum block with CA-SA exhibits good energy storage property.

Grafting is an important agricultural practice to control soil-borne diseases, alleviate continuous cropping problems and improve stress tolerance in vegetable industry, but it is relatively less applied in pepper production. A recent study has revealed the key roles of β-1, 4-glucanase in graft survival. We speculated that the GH9 family gene encoding glucanase may be involved in the obstacles of pepper grafting. Therefore, we performed a systematic analysis of the GH9 family in pepper, tomato and tobacco. A total of 25, 24 and 42 GH9 genes were identified from these three species. Compared with the orthologues of other solanaceous crops, the deduced pepper GH9B3 protein lacks a conserved motif (Motif 5). Promoter cis-element analysis revealed that a wound-responsive element exists in the promoter of tobacco NbGH9B3, but it is absent in the GH9B3 promoter of most solanaceous crops. The auxin-responsive related element is absent in CaGH9B3 promoter, but it presents in the promoter of tobacco, tomato, potato and petunia GH9B3. Tissue and induction expression profiles indicated that GH9 family genes are functionally differentiated. Nine GH9 genes, including CaGH9B3, were detected expressing in pepper stem. The expression patterns of NbGH9B3 and CaGH9B3 in grafting were different in our test condition, with obvious induction in tobacco but repression in pepper. Furthermore, weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA) revealed 58 transcription factor genes highly co-expressed with NbGH9B3. Eight WRKY binding sites were detected in the promoter of NbGH9B3, and several NbWRKYs were highly co-expressed with NbGH9B3. In conclusion, the missing of Motif 5 in CaGH9B3, and lacking of wound- and auxin-responsive elements in the gene promoter are the potential causes of grafting-related problems in pepper. WRKY family transcription factors could be important regulator of NbGH9B3 in tobacco grafting. Our analysis points out the putative regulators of NbGH9B3, which would be helpful to the functional validation and the study of signal pathways related to grafting in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melon (Cucumis melo) is one of the top 10 fruits in the world, and its production often suffers due to soil-borne diseases. Grafting is an effective way to solve this problem. However, graft incompatibility between scion and rootstock limits the application of melon grafting. In this study, the melon was grafted onto eight Cucurbitaceae species (cucumber, pumpkin, melon, luffa, wax gourd, bottle gourd, bitter gourd, and watermelon), and graft compatibility evaluation and anatomical observation were conducted. Taking melon homo-grafted plants as control, melon grafted onto cucumber and pumpkin rootstocks was compatible, while melon grafted onto luffa, wax gourd, bottle gourd, bitter gourd, and watermelon rootstocks was incompatible based on the scion dry weight on day 42 after grafting. Meanwhile, we found that starch–iodine staining of scion stem base is an index to predict graft compatibility earlier, on day 14 after grafting. Further, microsection observations showed that there was more cell proliferation at graft junction of melon hetero-grafted combinations; vascular reconnection occurred in all graft combinations. However, excess callose deposited at graft junction resulted in the blockage of photosynthate transport, thus, leading to starch accumulation in scion stem base, and finally graft incompatibility. In addition, undegraded necrotic layer fragments were observed at graft junctions of melon grafted onto incompatible bitter gourd and watermelon rootstocks. The above results provide clues for the selection and breeding of compatible Cucurbitaceae rootstocks of melon and demonstrate that starch accumulation in scion base and callose deposition at graft junction is associated with melon graft compatibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Potassium (K+) is a critical determinant of salinity tolerance, and H2O2 has been recognized as an important signaling molecule that mediates many physiological responses. However, the details of how H2O2 signaling regulates K+ uptake in the root under salt stress remain elusive. In this study, salt-sensitive cucumber and salt-tolerant pumpkin which belong to the same family, Cucurbitaceae, were used to answer the above question. We show that higher salt tolerance in pumpkin was related to its superior ability for K+ uptake and higher H2O2 accumulation in the root apex. Transcriptome analysis showed that salinity induced 5816 (3005 up- and 2811 down-) and 4679 (3965 up- and 714 down-) differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in cucumber and pumpkin, respectively. DEGs encoding NADPH oxidase (respiratory burst oxidase homolog D; RBOHD), 14-3-3 protein (GRF12), plasma membrane H+-ATPase (AHA1), and potassium transporter (HAK5) showed higher expression in pumpkin than in cucumber under salinity stress. Treatment with the NADPH oxidase inhibitor diphenylene iodonium resulted in lower RBOHD , GRF12 , AHA1 , and HAK5 expression, reduced plasma membrane H+-ATPase activity, and lower K+ uptake, leading to a loss of the salinity tolerance trait in pumpkin. The opposite results were obtained when the plants were pre-treated with exogenous H2O2. Knocking out of RBOHD in pumpkin by CRISPR/Cas9 [clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9] editing of coding sequences resulted in lower root apex H2O2 and K+ content and GRF12 , AHA1 , and HAK5 expression, ultimately resulting in a salt-sensitive phenotype. However, ectopic expression of pumpkin RBOHD in Arabidopsis led to the opposite effect. Taken together, this study shows that RBOHD-dependent H2O2 signaling in the root apex is important for pumpkin salt tolerance and suggests a novel mechanism that confers this trait, namely RBOHD-mediated transcriptional and post-translational activation of plasma membrane H+-ATPase operating upstream of HAK5 K+ uptake transporters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grafting is a widely used technique in watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) production. However, cost of grafted seedlings is generally high as a result of intensive labor inputs for propagation using traditional grafting methods such as the manual removal of rootstock regrowth. This study developed a new grafting tool to physically remove the epidermis of pumpkin (C. maxima × C. moschata) and bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria) rootstock cotyledon base during grafting; we called this a new grafting method. Compared with the traditional grafting, the new grafting method significantly decreased the pumpkin rootstock regrowth rate from 100% to 8% in hole insertion and 2% in one cotyledon grafting, respectively. These attenuated rates for bottle gourd rootstock regrowth were 23% and 9% in hole insertion and one cotyledon grafting, respectively. The scion dry weights of new hole insertion and one cotyledon grafting were increased by 78% and 74% when pumpkin was used as rootstock as compared with traditional grafting without regrown rootstock removal, while the respective values were 33% and 17% in bottle gourd rootstock grafted plants. In addition, the time used for the new hole insertion grafting method to physically remove the epidermis of pumpkin rootstock cotyledon base was significantly shorter than the time required to remove the rootstock regrowth manually three times in the traditional grafting (4.2 s/plant vs. 9.3 s/plant). Similar results were also observed in the new one cotyledon grafting (4.2 s/plant vs. 8.8 s/plant). Taken together, this study presents a new method in watermelon grafting to reduce rootstock regrowth, therefore benefiting both scion growth and plant management, thus the development of this new method is clearly useful in watermelon production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The overall performance of PEMFC (proton exchange membrane fuel cell) is affected by the flow field structure, especially the cathode flow field design can effectively solve the uneven distribution of gas concentration in the traditional flow channel and the cathode flooding phenomenon. In order to solve the above problems, a PEMFC single cell model with waveform staggered flow field of cooling flow field and small cathode channel was established in this study. Three-dimensional (3D) multi-phase CFD (computational fluid dynamics) simulation method is used to compare with gas concentration, liquid water distribution, pressure drop, and net power density of three different cases, and the influence of different cooling velocity on the temperature of cooling flow field is considered. The results show that the overall performance of the proposed flow field is the best, in which the maximum current density is 1.391 A ⋅ c m − 2 and increases by 14.9%. The cathode and anode waveform staggered flow field makes the proton exchange membrane (PEM) water distribution more uniform, at the same time, the small size of the cathode flow channel facilitates the discharge of heat, and the convective heat transfer effect is enhanced. The electrochemical reaction rate is fast, which accelerates the temperature reduction in the fuel cell under the action of the cooling flow field, and the temperature uniformity of the cooling flow field is better. In addition, net power density is improved by 39.7%, and the output performance is significantly improved. • Waveform staggered flow field with small cathode channel is established. • The overall performance of the proposed flow field increases by 14.9%. • Case 4 has large pressure drop, strong water removal and heat dissipation ability. • The temperature distribution is optimal with the coolant flow rate is 0.05 m/s. • The net power density is improved by 39.7% in the wavy staggered flow field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A total of 146 volatiles were identified in the fruits of 39 melon cultivars. • (Z)-6-nonenal was the most abundant volatile. • Principal component analysis clustered the 39 melon cultivars into five groups. • One inodorus cultivar (Xizhoumi25) had the highest content of total volatiles. The types and amounts of volatiles in the fruits of 39 melon cultivars were determined. We identified 146 volatiles, including 55 esters, 23 aldehydes, 30 alcohols, 15 ketones, 6 acids and 17 others. Ethyl acetate, (Z)-6-nonenal and 3,6-(E,Z)-nonadien-1-ol were the most three abundant volatiles (average content > 50 µg/kg FW). Aroma profiles showed significant differences among cultivars. Zhongtian49 and Zhongtian20 had the most abundant aroma components (76) and Jinguniang exhibited the least (23). One non-climacteric inodorus cultivar (Xizhoumi25) had the highest content of total volatiles (1840 µg/kg FW). Principal component analysis clustered the 39 melon cultivars into five groups. This work describes the comparative diversity of melon fruit volatiles for a large number of cultivars. Furthermore, this study could support the selection of cultivars with a flavor that suits the public and also future breeding work towards the genetic improvement of melon flavor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to solve the problems of gas transport and drainage performance in cathode flow field (CFF), a constriction straight channel (CSC) is proposed to enhance the convective mass transfer effect of gas and effectively discharge liquid water. By using three-dimensional (3D) multi-phase computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation, the influence of width, depth and length of CSC on proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is quantitatively analyzed. What's more, the influence of the number and arrangement of constriction is simulated. It is found that the increase of the number of constriction is beneficial to increase the average current density of FC, and the average current density of 9 is 2.22% higher than that of 7. Staggered arrangement of constriction (SAC) has better performance than parallel arrangement of constriction (PAC), with an average current density of 0.81% higher but a pressure drop of 30.45% lower. Finally, based on the above results, a full-scale cathode constriction flow field is established. The simulation results demonstrate that the novel flow field can significantly enhance the gas convection effect and effectively discharge the liquid water accumulated in the flow field, and the maximum water content of proton exchange membrane (PEM) is increased by 5.36%. • The increase in width and depth is not conducive to improving convective effects. • The length is from 2 mm to 3 mm, the average current density increases by 0.22%. • The average current density of FC of CWB is 2.79% higher than that of SC. • The increase in the number of constriction is beneficial to the FC performance. • The average current density of SAC is 0.81% higher than that of PAC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Felty's syndrome (FS) is characterized by the three conditions of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), neutropenia and splenomegaly, and occurs in few cases of longstanding erosive RA. Discriminating between rare occurrences of autoimmune diseases and malignancies is crucial. The present study describes the case of a 17-year-old female with a two-year history of RA, presenting with an irregular fever, hepatosplenomegaly and enlarged lymph nodes. The antinuclear antibody titer was 1:320, while antibody results for anti-dsDNA, anti-Sm and rheumatoid factor were negative. The clinical presentation was similar to that of lymphoma. However, the fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography and biopsy examinations of the liver and cervical lymph node did not support the diagnosis of lymphoma. According to the laboratory results and clinical symptoms, the differential diagnosis indicated FS, and immunosuppressive agents were administered. Two weeks later, the patient no longer had a fever, and the transaminase levels were normal, associated with shrinkage of the liver and spleen.

The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway has a protective function on the management of hematologic malignancies. The aim of this study was to assess whether the induction of MAPK-mediated effects contributes to the therapeutic value of combination sorafenib and daunorubicin (DNR) treatment. Herein, we found that DNR increased phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK1/2) in K562 cells. ERK1/2 activity was blocked by either the mitogen-induced extracellular kinase (MEK) inhibitor U0126 or a multi-kinase inhibitor sorafenib. Of note, sorafenib sensitized K562 to DNR by inhibiting proliferation and inducing apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner which was through blocking the RAF/MEK/ERK pathway. Moreover, K562 cells transfected with a constitutively active MEK2DD plasmid showed increasing IC50 values following DNR treatment compared with control cells. Combination of DNR with MEK inhibitor U0126 synergistically inhibited K562 cell growth. In conclusion, our results indicated that sorafenib sensitized K562 cells to DNR-induced cytotoxicity by downregulating p-ERK1/2 expression. DNR in combination with sorafenib may represent a new and potential therapeutic strategy in treating acute leukemia with high p-ERK1/2 levels.

A previously healthy 34-year-old female presented with a 5-month history of progressive backache and weakness in the left fingers. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed soft tissue masses in the spinal canal distributed along the nerve course. The patient's baseline laboratory data were normal. Surgical intervention was performed and histological examination identified isolated spinal granulocytic sarcoma (GS). A bone marrow biopsy also presented normal findings. However, the patient developed numbness and pain in the right lower limb two months later. Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET) showed FDG uptake in the left trapezius muscle, cervix uteri, iliac bone, lymphadenectasis of the pelvic wall and left axillary fossa. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination allowed a diagnosis of central nervous system leukemia (CNSL). The patient underwent chemotherapy and intrathecal injection, resulting in the elimination of the residual lesion. Correct diagnosis and adequate treatment are essential to achieve optimal results in patients with isolated spinal GS.