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Wucai (Brassica campestris L. ssp. chinensis var. rosularis Tsen) is a subspecies of Brassica campestris, is a kind of cold-tolerant vegetable widely cultivated in the Yangtze-Huai River Basin of China. To breed new varieties of resistance to stress, it is necessary to study the tolerance of Resistance to different stresses. Transcriptomic data showed that exogenous application of 2, 4-epbrassinolide (EBR) significantly increased the bHLH genes expression in wucai at low temperature, and bHLH57 was up regulated significantly. BHLH (Basic helix-loop-helix) TFs (transcription factor) is a superfamily of TFs with complex functions and related to various plant life activities. In this study, a total of 239 bHLH genes were identified, and their amino acid physicochemical properties, chromosome location, gene structure, phylogeny and cis-acting elements were analyzed by bioinformatics. Phylogenetic analysis showed that bHLH gene families in Brassica rapa and Arabidopsis were divided into six groups, and the distribution of bHLH genes in Brassica rapa was uneven. The BrbHLHs were irregularly mapped in the cultivated B. rapa genome. The maximum number (40) of BrbHLH genes were mapped on Chr09. In addition, there were tandem repeats in some genes. The collinearity analysis showed that 152 AtbHLH genes and 239 BrbHLH protein genes formed 296 collinearity pairs, and the Ka/Ks ratio ofall duplicated BrbHLH gene pairs had a Ka/Ks ratio of bHLH family genes in Brassica rapa had more responsive elements related to light, hormone and abiotic stress. The BcbHLH57 overexpressing Arabidopsis thaliana lines were subjected to different stress treatments, and the seed germination rate, root growth, survival rate and various plant physiological indexes were determined. The results showed that the transgenic lines were more tolerant to salt, heat and drought stress. In this study, the response of BcbHLH57 gene to salt, heat and drought stress was reported for the first time, which provided a basis for further research on the function of BcbHLH57 in abiotic stress.

A large number of data suggest that caloric restriction (CR) has a protective effect on myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury (I/R) in the elderly. However, the mechanism is still unclear. In this study, we created the I/R model in vivo by ligating the mice left coronary artery for 45 min followed by reperfusion. C57BL/6J wild-type mice were randomly divided into a young group fed ad libitum (y-AL), aged fed ad libitum (a-AL) and aged calorie restriction group (a-CR, 70% diet restriction), and fed for 6 weeks. The area of myocardial infarction was measured by Evan’s blue-TTC staining, plasma cholesterol content quantified by ELISA, fatty acids and glucose measured by Langendorff working system, as well as protein expression of AMPK/SIRT1/PGC1a signaling pathway related factors in myocardial tissue detected by immunoblotting. Our results showed that CR significantly reduced infarct size in elderly mice after I/R injury, promoted glycolysis regardless of I/R injury, and restored myocardial glucose uptake in elderly mice. Compared with a-AL group, CR significantly promoted the expression of p-AMPK, SIRT1, p-PGC1a, and SOD2, but decreased PPARγ expression in aged mice. In conclusion, our results suggest that CR protects elderly mice from I/R injury by altering myocardial substrate energy metabolism via the AMPK/SIRT1/PGC1a pathway.

Dehydration responsive element binding protein (DREB) is a significant transcription factor class known to be implicated in abiotic stresses. In this study, we systematically conducted a genome-wide identification and expression analysis of the DREB gene family, including gene structures, evolutionary relationships, chromosome distribution, conserved domains, and expression patterns. A total of 65 DREB family gene members were identified in Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa L.) and were classified into five subgroups based on phylogenetic analysis. Through analysis of the conserved domains of BrDREB family genes, only one exon existed in the gene structure. Through the analysis of cis-acting elements, these genes were mainly involved in hormone regulation and adversity stress. In order to identify the function of BrDREB2B, overexpressed transgenic Arabidopsis was constructed. After different stress treatments, the germination rate, root growth, survival rate, and various plant physiological indicators were measured. The results showed that transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana plants overexpressing BrDREB2B exhibited enhanced tolerance to salt, heat and drought stresses. Taken together, our results are the first to report the BrDREB2B gene response to drought and heat stresses in Chinese cabbage and provide a basis for further studies to determine the function of BrDREBs in response to abiotic stresses.

Channeling between injectors and producers leads to bypassed oil left in the reservoir, which is one of most common reasons that wells in mature oil fields experience high water cut after long-term waterflooding. Identification and evaluation of the higher permeable channels (thief zones) are the key to effectively plug these thief zones and improve the conformance of water flood. This study applies three different methods to identify and evaluate the thief zones of a water injection project in North Buzazi Oilfield, a thick-bedded unconsolidated sandstone heavy oil reservoir in Manghestau, Kazakhstan. The thief zones, which evolve as a result of formation erosion and sand production, are identified and classified with respect to four different levels of significance using fuzzy comprehensive evaluation, production/injection profile method and pressure index (PI) methods. Good consistency is observed among the identification results using these methods. Finally, we present two ways to quantitatively evaluate the characteristics of the thief zones using water–oil-ratio as the input, which can be readily applied for future field development design.

Background Takeda G protein receptor 5 (TGR5) is widely recognized as a potential drug target for the treatment of metabolic diseases. TGR5 is not only a metabolic regulator, but also has a potential role that participating in developing and progressing of gastrointestinal cancer. We aimed to investigate the potential role of TGR5 in pancreatic cancer by utilizing molecular experiments and the liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC–MS) based metabolomics. Methods Herein, we assessed pancreatic cancer proliferation, migration and invasion in response to TGR5 antagonist SBI-115 in vitro experiments. Cell death was examined by using TUNEL assay on agarose-embedded sections. Then we investigated the effects of TGR5 on PANC-1 and BXPC3 cells via transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Moreover, LC–MS-based metabolomics was performed to explore the potential underlying mechanisms of TGR5 in pancreatic cancer. The correlations between TGR5 and the metabolism-related genes were further analysed by GEPIA 2 database. Results We found the proliferation capacities were decreased significantly in PANC-1 and BXPC3 cells after the treatment of SBI-115 for 48 h. The results of TUNEL assay showed that antagonism of TGR5 by SBI-115 had a remarkable effect on inducing cell death. Analysis of TEM demonstrated that SBI-115 treatment could impair the morphology of mitochondria in most PANC-1 and BXPC3 cells. The LC–MS-based analyses revealed that antagonism of TGR5 could alter the metabolic profiles of PANC-1 cells in vitro. Moreover, TGR5 was associated with some metabolism-related genes in pancreatic cancer. Conclusion Our data suggests that antagonism of TGR5 may suppress cell proliferation and induce apoptosis in pancreatic cancer cells. TGR5 may affect the metabolism of pancreatic cancer, and TGR5 would be an attractive target for pancreatic cancer treatment.

Objective Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an important cause of premature coronary artery disease (CAD). Prognosis data are lacking in patients with FH and coronary artery disease particularly in the era of widespread statin use. We compared long-term prognosis between patients with and without FH after a coronary event. Methods In this retrospective study, 865 patients younger than 40 years of age with CAD were enrolled. FH was diagnosed based on the Dutch Lipid Clinic Network algorithm. Baseline characteristics, coronary angiographic findings and prognosis during median follow-up of 5 (3–8) years were compared between patients with or without FH. Results Definite or probable FH was detected in 37 patients (4.3%) and possible FH in 259 patients (29.9%). FH was associated with significantly higher prevalence of multi-vessel lesions (p

Norfloxacin complexes Co(nor)2·8H2O (nor=norfloxacin) and [Co(nor)(phen)]NO3·2H2O (phen=1,10-phenanthroline) were synthesized and their biological activity on Tetrahymena and Escherichia coli (E.coli) was assayed by means of microcalorimetry. Massive experimental parameters such as the growth constant k, inhibitory ratio I, half inhibition concentration IC50 and generation time TG were obtained. Data showed that with the increase of exposing complex concentration, both complexes exhibited strong inhibition during the growth of organisms. While toxic degrees were quite different on Tetrahymena and E. coli, due to various toxic mechanisms. And complex molecular volume and the ability of the complex penetrating into cells may be the keys.

A Permian-Triassic (P-Tr) boundary section of continuous carbonate facies, which well recorded the biotic and environmental processes through the great P-Tr transition in the shallow non-microbialite carbonate facies, has been studied in Yangou, Leping County, Jiangxi Province. The P-Tr sequence is well correlated with the Meishan section according to the conodont biostratigraphy and the excursion of carbon isotopes. A series of high-resolution thin-sections from the P-Tr boundary carbonate rocks at the Yangou section are studied to explore the interrelation between environmental change and biological evolution during the transitional time. Six microfacies have been identified based upon the observation of the thin-sections under a microscope on the grains and matrix and their interrelation. Combined with the data of fossils and carbon isotopes, Microfacies 4 (MF-4), coated-grain-bearing foraminifer oolitic sparitic limestone, and Microfacies 6 (MF-6), dark shelly micritic limestone, should be the different responses to the two episodes of mass extinction and environmental events that can be correlated throughout South China and even over the world. The oolitic limestone of MF-4 is the first finding from the latest Permian strata in South China and it might be a proxy of an unusual environmental condition of high pCO2, low sulfate concentration and of microbial blooming in the aftermath of the latest Permian mass extinction. The micritic limestone of MF-6 containing rich micro-gastropods and ostracods probably represents the blooming event of disaster taxa in the earliest Triassic environment. The microfacies analysis at the Yangou section can well reveal the episodic process of the biological evolution and environmental change in the shallow non-microbialite carbonate facies throughout the great P-Tr transition, thus the Yangou section becomes an important complement to the Meishan section.

The timing of technology adoption is influenced by profitability and farmer ability to bear risk. Innovators are typically more risk tolerant than laggards. Understanding the factors influencing early adoption of precision agriculture (PA) technologies by cotton farmers is important for anticipating technology diffusion over time. The factors influencing the timing of grid soil sampling (GSS), yield monitoring (YMR) and remote sensing (RMS) adoption by cotton producers was evaluated using multivariate censored regression. Data for cotton farmers in 12 states were obtained from a survey conducted in 2009. The factors hypothesized to influence the timing of adoption included farm characteristics, operator characteristics, PA information sources, adoption of other PA technologies, and farm location. The results suggest that different factors influenced when cotton farmers adopted GSS, YMR and RMS after these technologies became commercially available. For example, land ownership was associated with the timing of GSS adoption, but not YMR or RMS adoption; farmer age was correlated with the timing of GSS and YMR adoption, but not RMS adoption; and obtaining PA information from consultants affected the timing of GSS and RMS adoption, but not YMR adoption. The only factors correlated with the early adoption of all three technologies were beliefs that PA would improve environmental quality and the adoption of at least one other PA technology. Thus, the potential for improved environmental quality appears to be a strong adoption motivator across PA technologies, as is the earlier adoption of other PA technologies. This research may be useful for farmers, researchers, Extension personnel, machinery manufacturers, PA information providers and agricultural retailers to anticipate the future adoption of new and emerging PA technologies.

Data from epidemiological studies related to the association of cholecystectomy and pancreatic cancer (PaC) risk are inconsistent. We conducted a meta-analysis of observational studies to explore this relationship. We identified studies by a literature search of Medline (from 1 January 1966) and EMBASE (from 1 January 1974), through 30 June 2011, and by searching the reference lists of pertinent articles. Summary relative risks with their 95% confidence intervals were calculated with a random-effects model. Between-study heterogeneity was assessed using Cochran’s Q statistic and the I 2. A total of 18 studies (10 case–control studies, eight cohort studies) were included in this meta-analysis. Analysis of these 18 studies found that cholecystectomy was associated with a 23% excess risk of PaC (SRR = 1.23, 95% CI = 1.12–1.35), with moderate heterogeneity among these studies (p heterogeneity = 0.006, I 2 = 51.0%). Sub-grouped analyses revealed that the increased risk of PaC was independent of geographic location, gender, study design and confounders. There was no publication bias in the current meta-analysis. The results of this meta-analysis suggest that individuals with a history of cholecystectomy may have an increased risk of pancreatic cancer.

Cu(nor)2·H2O (1), Zn(nor)2·4H2O (2), Ni(nor)2·2H2O (3), [Cu(nor)(phen)]NO3·4H2O (4), [Zn(nor)(phen)]NO3·2H2O (5), and [Ni(nor)(phen)]NO3·3H2O (6) were synthesized and their action on Tetrahymena growth was studied by microcalorimetry. The growth constant (k), inhibitory ratio (I), and half-inhibiting concentration (IC50) were calculated, which showed that the complexes had a strong inhibitory effect on Tetrahymena. All these complexes can inhibit the growth of Tetrahymena more strongly than norfloxacin. The norfloxacin–metal complexes exhibited better inhibitory activity than nor–phen–metal complexes. The power–time curves of Tetrahymena growth in the presence of norfloxacin were also measured. It was found that all complexes showed higher inhibitory activity than norfloxacin. And the inhibitory mechanism was discussed preliminarily. The diverse inhibition may be due to the ability of the complexes to penetrate into cells and the effect of these complexes on the nucleic acid. Microcalorimetry has been used extensively in many biological and chemical investigations as a universal, non-destructive, continuously running, and highly sensitive tool.

Nutrient data obtained from soil chemical tests were analyzed in an activity analysis model to identify limiting factors in peanut production on the Texas High Plains. A production function was estimated for the study field, and limiting factors were identified at individual sites where the production function indicated that yield did not respond. The estimated production function also enabled us to conduct a cost-return analysis of variable- and blanket-rate fertilizer applications. The results showed that peanut yields did not respond to most of the nutrients included in the study, which confirmed conclusions from previous studies in the study region. Calcium and nitrogen were the only two limiting factors identified in this study. Significant economic returns could be obtained by site-specific fertilizer application. The average economic return from variable-rate calcium fertilizer application was $27.84 ha−1 and from blanket-rate it was $10.73 ha−1. The return from variable-rate nitrogen fertilizer application was about $20 ha−1 and from a blanket-rate it was about $14 ha−1. There seems to be quite a strong economic incentive to adopt variable-rate application for calcium and nitrogen fertilizer application.

Ag/Cu2O microstructures with diverse morphologies have been successfully synthesized with different initial reagents of silver nitrate (AgNO3) by a facile one-step solvothermal method. Their structural and morphological characteristics were carefully investigated by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and the experimental results showed that the morphologies transformed from microcubes for pure Cu2O to microspheres with rough surfaces for Ag/Cu2O. The photocatalytic activities were evaluated by measuring the degradation of methyl orange (MO) aqueous solution under visible light irradiation. The photocatalytic efficiencies of MO firstly increased to a maximum and then decreased with the increased amount of AgNO3. The experimental results revealed that the photocatalytic activities were significantly influenced by the amount of AgNO3 during the preparation process. The possible reasons for the enhanced photocatalytic activities of the as-prepared Ag/Cu2O composites were discussed.

A protocol was developed for regeneration and Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation of Lesquerella fendleri. Calli were first induced from hypocotyls and cotyledons on MS plus 0.5 mg l−1 BA, 1 mg l−1 NAA and 1 mg l−1 2,4-D, then co-cultivated for 2–3 days in darkness on MS supplemented with 0.5 mg l−1 BA, 0.2 mg l−1 NAA and 100 μmol l−1As together with Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain EHA105/pCAMBIA1301 that harbored genes for uidA (GUS) and hygromycin resistance. Following co-cultivation, calli transfected by A. tumefaciens were transferred to MS with 0.5 mg l−1 BA, 0.2 mg l−1NAA, 500 mg l−1 Cef and 10 mg l−1 hygromycin and cultured for 10 days, then the hygromycin was increased to 20 mg l−1 on the same medium. After 4 weeks the resistant regenerants were transferred to MS with 0.5 mg l−1BA, 0.2 mg l−1 NAA, 500 mg l−1 Cef and 25 mg l−1 hygromycin for further selections. Transgenic plants were confirmed by polymerase chain reaction analysis, GUS histochemical assay and genomic Southern blot hybridization. With this approach, the average regeneration frequency from transfected calli was 22.70%, and the number of regenerated shoots per callus was 6–13. Overall results described in this study demonstrate that Agrobacterium-mediated transformation is a promising approach for improvement of this Lesquerella species.

N′-2-Hydroxy-3-methoxy-benzalmethylene-O,O′-diethylphosphorohydrazonothionate (HL) and its six complexes (ML2) with CuII, ZnII, NiII, FeII, CoII and MnII have been synthesized and characterized. The crystal structure of CuL2 shows that the metal ion is tetracoordinated, bound to 2N from imine and 2O from hydroxybenzene to form a parallelogram. The effects on Stenostigma remota cells of complexes CuL2, CoL2 and MnL2 have been determined by microcalorimetry, which indicates that the compounds inhibit the metabolism of the insect cells.

The over-current protector is one of the main applications of the positive temperature coefficient (PTC) thermistor. Low room-temperature resistance and a PTC effect are required for the use of the over-current protection. As a result, lowering the room-temperature resistivity of PTC materials becomes very important. From a Japanese patent, the method of adding metal to BaTiO3-based PTC ceramics to form composites has shown good results. But in recent publications, few papers were related to this area. Furthermore, in the limited literature, the resistance–temperature curve of the material expressed a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) effect when metal was present. In the present work, chromium (Cr), was added to (Ba,Pb)TiO3 ceramics to form PTC composite with higher Curie temperature (TC = 180°C). Under a given composition and method, the prepared composite had low room-temperature resistivity (p = 1.33Ωcm) and PTC effect (Pmax/Pmax = 10). From the experimental results obtained, a structural model of the composite is proposed. The co-function of metal and ceramics, and sintering atmosphere factor on the PTC effect are discussed in this model. By employing this model, the resistance–temperature properties of the composites can be explained satisfactorily.

The Schiff base 1-(3,4-dihydroxybenzylidene)thiosemicarbazide, and its nickel(II) and iron(II) complexes have been prepared using 1:1 and 1:2 metal-to-ligand reactant ratios, and have been characterized by elemental analysis, molar conductance, i.r. and u.v. spectral studies. The 1H-n.m.r. and m.s. spectra of the Schiff base was also recorded. Mo¨ssbauer spectra has been used to identify the electronic states of iron(II) in the ferrous complexes. The compositions, coordination states and possible structures of these complexes are given. Biological activity tests show that the complexes exhibit strong superoxygen dismutase activity and inhibitory actions towards Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus and Cryptococcus neoforms.

A new soluble and dopable copolymer consisting of 3‘,4‘-dibutyl-2,2‘:5‘,2”-terthiophene and phenylene vinylene units has been designed and prepared via a Wittig reaction. This copolymer is soluble in common organic solvents such as THF and CHC13, and can be doped with various oxidants increasing its electrical conductivity by several orders of magnitude. Its films are electrochromic and turn reversibly and rapidly from red to green-blue upon doping and undoping electrochemically. If the phenylene vinylene units are replaced with phenylene imine units, another interesting new polymer forms which is not readily dopable with the same oxidants but is dopable with acids. The new material exhibits strong chemochromism with dramatic shifts in its optical absorption spectra. In the undoped state both copolymers show strong photoluminescence.