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On the basis of single factor test, response surface method was used to optimize the extraction process of Fructus ligustris L., and the in vitro antioxidant activity of total flavonoids from Fructus ligustris L. was studied . The results showed that the optimal process parameters were ethanol concentration of 80%, cellulase concentration of 0.3 g/L and ultrasonic temperature of 50 °C. Under these conditions, the average extraction rate of total flavonoids from Fructus ligustris L. was 4.93%, which was highly consistent with the predicted value of 4.98%, indicating that the model was reliable and could be used for the extraction of total flavonoids from Fructus ligustris L.. The results of antioxidant test showed that the IC50 value of total flavonoids extract was 186.6 mg/L for DPPH free radical scavenging and 166.8 mg/L for ABTS+ free radical scavenging, indicating that total flavonoids extract had strong antioxidant activity. The study indicates that total flavonoids of Fructus ligustris L. can be used as a natural green antioxidant in animal production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The key to successful in vitro embryo production (IVEP) is to mimic the natural in vivo oviductal microenvironment. Although the chemically defined media in extensive use for the in vitro culture of mammalian embryos is based on the composition of oviductal fluid, the IVEP systems in current use must still bypass the oviduct to produce embryos in vitro. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) in the oviduct are versatile intercellular delivery vehicles for maternal–embryo communication, and a lack of them can be associated with failed early embryonic development under in vitro culture conditions. Herein, we isolated EVs from porcine oviduct fluid and confirmed that oviductal EV supplementation improves the embryonic development of parthenogenetically activated (PA) embryos in terms of blastocyst formation rates and total cell numbers. Our experiments also revealed that a beneficial effect of oviductal EVs on PA embryos was achievable, at least in part, by relieving endoplasmic reticulum stress. These results suggest that the maternal–embryo communication mediated by oviductal EVs benefits early embryonic development. Given the contribution of oviductal EVs to early embryonic development, these findings offer novel insights for the optimization of current IVEP systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The planting effect and the planting potential of 12 cover crops (Leguminous: alfalfa, smooth vetch, hairy vetch, red clover, white clover, common vetch; non-leguminous: sudangrass, green radish, Nitro radish, rape, kale, endive) in the Sanjiang Plain of Northeast China were comprehensively evaluated by soil penetration resistance, pre-winter biomass, root characteristics, and plant nitrogen accumulation. The results showed that all the 12 cover crops grew normally during the experimental sowing period. Compared with the control, all the cover crops successfully reduced soil compactness. The planting of green radish, nitro radish, and sudangrass decreased soil penetration resistance by 47.1%, 43.4% and 33.4%, respectively. The pre-winter total fresh biomass of cover crop populations was between 3.38 and 13.98 kg·m -2 , and the total dry matter mass was between 0.78 and 2.43 kg·m -2 . The biomass of non-leguminous cover crops was significantly higher than that of the leguminous cover crops. The group roots of radish, rape and endive had large volumes. In particular, the nitro radish roots had a vo-lume of 4018.5 cm 3 ·m -2 , and the root system of sudangrass extended over the widest horizontal range. The ash content of leguminous cover crops was significantly lower than that of non-leguminous species, which could provide more organic matter with high decomposability. The total nitrogen accumulation of cover crops varied from 18.72 to 53.09 g·m -2 . Kale and endive accumulated the highest amount of nitrogen and large biomass, which could facilitate nitrogen fixation and accumulation. According to the type of main crops in Sanjiang Plain and canopy structure, planting leguminous (clover, vetch, and alfalfa) and non-leguminous (radish, kale and sudangrass) cover crops to plant inter-row or in a line mixed cropping pattern could regulate soil structure and promote nutrient cycing, with positive effects on the fertility of black soil in the Sanjiang Plain.

Recently, the development of porous absorbents for efficient CO 2 and I 2 capture has attracted considerable attention because of severe global climate change and environmental issues with the nuclear energy. Hence, a unique porous metal-organic framework (MOF), {[Co(L)]·DMF·2H 2 O} n ( 1 , DMF = N , N -dimethylformamide) with uncoordinated N atoms was rationally constructed via using a heterofunctional 4,6-bis(4'-carboxyphenyl)pyrimidine (H 2 L) linker. Interestingly, 1 exhibits exceptional properties for I 2 sorption, CO 2 capture, and catalytic conversion. Particularly, I 2 can be efficiently removed in both vapor and solution forms, and the adsorption amount can reach 676.25 and 345.28 mg g -1 , respectively. Furthermore, complex 1 displays high adsorption capacity for CO 2 (53.78 cm 3 g -1 , 273 K). Consequently, 1 is expected to be a promising and practical material for environmental purification due to its excellent adsorption properties.