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A new fermentation method for kiwi wine was explored by developing the well-known medicinal and edible plant Cyclocarya paliurus (C. paliurus) to create more value with undersized kiwifruits. In this study, the changes in bioactive substances during the C. paliurus–kiwi winemaking process were analyzed on the basis of response surface optimization results, and the antioxidant capacity, aromatic compounds, and sensory quality of the C. paliurus–kiwi composite wine with kiwi wine and two commercial kiwi wines were compared. The results showed that DPPH radical, OH− radical, and ABTS+ scavenging rates remained at over 60.0%, 90.0%, and 70.0% in C. paliurus–kiwi wine, respectively. The total flavonoid content (TFC) and total polyphenol content (TPC) of C. paliurus–kiwi wine were significantly higher than those of the other three kiwi wines. C. paliurus–kiwi wine received the highest score and detected 43 volatile compounds. Ethyl hexanoate, which showed stronger fruity and sweet aromas, was one of the main aroma components of C. paliurus–kiwi wine and different from commercial wines. This wine has a good flavor with a natural and quality feeling of C. paliurus–kiwifruit extract, low-cost processing, and great market potential.

A new soluble polymer foaming (PF) grouting material was developed by using hydrophilic amino resin as the base material and adding other cross-linking, foam, foam stabilizing, toughening, and coupling agents. The PF material exhibited low viscosity, excellent adhesion, and strong penetration. The grouting reinforcement effect of the proposed PF material on broken coal masses was investigated and compared with that of traditional superfine cement (SC) through simulation experiments. Results showed that after grouting, fractures, joints, and other failure planes inside raw coal were filled and bonded, and the mechanical strength of the grout-coal concretion improved relative to the residual strength of raw coal. The average uniaxial compressive strength of SC specimens was 6.16 MPa, whereas that of PF specimens was 10.85 MPa. Moreover, the PF specimens presented an obvious characteristic of plastic strengthening. Analyzing the reinforcement effect of the grouting materials on the basis of single structural plane theory revealed that at the critical state, the average σ3 value of SC specimens was 1.43 MPa, whereas that of PF specimens was 3.09 MPa. In addition, coordination between the lateral and axial deformations of the PF specimens during compression promoted the formation of a bearing structure that can adapt to deformation. This structure is crucial for the safe operation of coal mines.

To improve the efficiency of expression of reporter transgenes delivered by hydrodynamic injection, we generated expression cassettes carrying different liver-specific regulatory elements using the firefly luciferase gene as a reporter. From our studies the human alpha-antitrypsin promoter together with the apolipoprotein E/C-I and albumin enhancer was the combination of choice for prolonged transgene expression, but reporter gene expression in vivo lasted for no more than 7 weeks. Subsequently, phage φC31 integrase was introduced as a potential tool to improve further the efficiency of expression of the delivered transgene. Long-term transgene expression in vivo was achieved by specific integration of the target gene into mouse livers. This study demonstrates the use of a combination of phage φC31 integrase and liver-specific regulatory elements for generation of transgenic mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A non-invasive orthotopic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) model was created with human HCC cells (HepG-Luc) constitutively expressing luciferase (Luc) in nude mice. Development of tumor growth and response to anti-tumor therapy combined with 5-fluorouracil and cisplatin was monitored by whole-body bioluminescent imaging (BLI). Luciferase activity in the tumor, determined by BLI, correlated with the tumor volume and weight. The anti-tumor therapy proved effective by BLI monitoring. In conclusion, BLI by luciferase provides a non-invasive method of monitoring tumor activities that can prove useful for therapeutic intervention studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]