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The academic community has spent a lot of time and effort in recent years discussing the fact that gamification has a significant positive impact on encouraging user engagement behaviour. As the mainstream of current research, gamification affordance refers to the action possibilities provided by the gamified elements and features of gamified systems. However, there is a lack of research on how to improve users’ knowledge sharing behaviour by introducing gamification affordances into the social question and answer (Q&A) community. This study develops a causal relationship model between gamification affordance and knowledge sharing behaviour by utilising the social Q&A community as the research object. The fundamental characteristics of gamification affordance which users value are defined through a semi-structured interview based on a focus group. The results of the structural equation model analysis on Chinese users (n = 310) demonstrate that gamification affordances enhance the gamified experience of users, thus improving user satisfaction, and ultimately affecting users’ knowledge sharing behaviour. Furthermore, this study explored the important role of gamification affordance in the development of the social Q&A community and verified the significant role of gamified experience in enhancing the psychological outcomes of users. The study concludes with a discussion-worthy theoretical and practical significance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate land cover mapping is challenging in Southeast Asia where cloud coverage is prevalent and landscape is heterogenous. Object-based mapping, multi-temporal images and combined use of optical and microwave data, provide abundant features in spectral, spatial, temporal, geometric and polarimetric dimensions. And random forest is usually employed due to robustness and efficiency in handling high-dimensional and noisy data. This study assesses whether feature selection and ensemble analysis, which are rarely adopted, yield improved result. Recursive feature elimination decreases original 568 features into a subset of 53 features, achieving the optimal combination of features. Ensemble analysis of random forest, support vector machine, and K-nearest neighbors leads to an overall accuracy of 0.816. Comparison experiments demonstrated the merits of the multi-temporal, multi-source approach, feature elimination and ensemble analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate and up-to-date built-up area mapping is of great importance to the science community, decision-makers, and society. Therefore, satellite-based, built-up area (BUA) extraction at medium resolution with supervised classification has been widely carried out. However, the spectral confusion between BUA and bare land (BL) is the primary hindering factor for accurate BUA mapping over large regions. Here we propose a new methodology for the efficient BUA extraction using multi-sensor data under Google Earth Engine cloud computing platform. The proposed method mainly employs intra-annual satellite imagery for water and vegetation masks, and a random-forest machine learning classifier combined with auxiliary data to discriminate between BUA and BL. First, a vegetation mask and water mask are generated using NDVI (normalized differenced vegetation index) max in vegetation growth periods and the annual water-occurrence frequency. Second, to accurately extract BUA from unmasked pixels, consisting of BUA and BL, random-forest-based classification is conducted using multi-sensor features, including temperature, night-time light, backscattering, topography, optical spectra, and NDVI time-series metrics. This approach is applied in Zhejiang Province, China, and an overall accuracy of 92.5% is obtained, which is 3.4% higher than classification with spectral data only. For large-scale BUA mapping, it is feasible to enhance the performance of BUA mapping with multi-temporal and multi-sensor data, which takes full advantage of datasets available in Google Earth Engine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to determine the important selection attributes of instant noodles that significantly affect consumer satisfaction in Korea and China. Several factors such as taste, price, quality, design, and brand were tested, and the relationships between satisfaction and repurchase intention were analyzed. Based on previous studies, it was found that the importance of selection attributes for instant noodle is taste, price, quality, design, and brand. Using structural equation modeling, 1,027 questionnaires were surveyed for a statistical method of examining the proposed hypotheses in China and Korea. Results of the study reveal that the importance of selection attributes affected satisfaction significantly. Furthermore, the path coefficient of satisfaction that leads to repurchase was found to be significant. However, consumers' perceived importance of selection attributes of instant noodles varied according to the countries. The path coefficients from taste to satisfaction were more significant for Korean consumers (β = 0.542) than for Chinese consumers (β = 0.359). Meanwhile, the path coefficient from corporate brand to satisfaction was more significant for Chinese consumers (β = 0. 305) than Korean consumers (β = 0.218). This study analyzes the significant selection attributes of instant noodles, the results provide meaningful implications for instant noodle companies in each country regarding the specific attributes they need to prioritize. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China is a major coal producing country, and also one of the countries which has the most serious coal mine accidents around the world. As a result of geological conditions, underground mining is the main way that coal is exploited in China; serious underground disasters and the corresponding fatality rate are much higher than is the case for surface mining. Although safer modern underground mining methods have been introduced across China, accidents still lead to fatalities and the loss of revenue in some mines. It is important to establish a georeferenced coal mine disasters (CMD) database to aid researchers and decision makers in better understanding the spatio-temporal distribution of such accidents across in China. This study has proposed a method to develop a georeferenced spatio-temporal CMD database via a geographic information system (GIS) platform based on statistical data released by the State Administration of Coal Mine Safety (SACMS) for the period between 2000 and 2015. The different levels and spatio-temporal characteristics of coal mining accidents were analyzed, and the space-time scan statistic permutation (STSSP) model was carried out to detect the CMD clusters; and finally, a spatio-temporal cluster analysis of Chinese coal mining accidents in 2000 and 2015 was conducted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The optical band positions (or crystal field energy levels) of manganese (IV) ions in trigonal barium titanium hexafluoride and barium silicon hexafluoride crystals are computed from the full diagonalization (of energy matrix) method founded on the two-spin-orbit-parameter model which consists of the effects from both the spin-orbit parameters of dn ion and ligand ions. The computed results are in rational agreement with the experimental values. It is found that the large difference of first excited state splitting ΔE (2E) between the manganese (IV)-doped barium titanium hexafluoride and barium silicon hexafluoride crystals is owing mainly to the great difference of trigonal distortion between the fluorine octahedral clusters in the two host crystals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A unified calculation of optical band positions and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) (or spin-Hamiltonian) parameters for the trigonal Cr3+–Li+centre in CsMgCl3crystal is made by using the complete diagonalisation (of energy matrix) method based on the two-spin–orbit-parameter model. In this model, the contributions from the spin–orbit parameter of central dnion and that of ligand ion are included. From the calculation, the 11 observed optical and EPR data (eight optical band positions and three EPR parametersg//,g⊥,D) are reasonably explained with five adjustable parameters and the defect structure of the Cr3+–Li+centre (which is consistent with the expectation based on the electrostatic interaction) in CsMgCl3is acquired. The results are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

With only 1.3−4.3% in total hepatic CYP content, human CYP2D6 can metabolize more than 160 drugs. It is a highly polymorphic enzyme and subject to marked inhibition by a number of drugs, causing a large interindividual variability in drug clearance and drug response and drug–drug interactions. The expression and activity of CYP2D6 are regulated by a number of physiological, pathological and environmental factors at transcriptional, post-transcriptional, translational and epigenetic levels. DNA hypermethylation and histone modifications can repress the expression ofCYP2D6. Hepatocyte nuclear factor-4α binds to a directly repeated element in the promoter ofCYP2D6and thus regulates the expression of CYP2D6. Small heterodimer partner represses hepatocyte nuclear factor-4α-mediated transactivation ofCYP2D6. GW4064, a farnesoid X receptor agonist, decreases hepatic CYP2D6 expression and activity while increasing small heterodimer partner expression and its recruitment to theCYP2D6promoter. The genotypes are key determinants of interindividual variability in CYP2D6 expression and activity. Recent genome-wide association studies have identified a large number of genes that can regulate CYP2D6. Pregnancy induces CYP2D6 via unknown mechanisms. Renal or liver diseases, smoking and alcohol use have minor to moderate effects only on CYP2D6 activity. Unlike CYP1 and 3 and other CYP2 members, CYP2D6 is resistant to typical inducers such as rifampin, phenobarbital and dexamethasone. Post-translational modifications such as phosphorylation of CYP2D6 Ser135 have been observed, but the functional impact is unknown. Further functional and validation studies are needed to clarify the role of nuclear receptors, epigenetic factors and other factors in the regulation of CYP2D6. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The third-generation heat transfer technologies, such as three-dimensional fin and dimple, are still important means of improving energy efficiency and will continue to be challenging issues. This paper presents condensation heat transfer performance of an edge-shaped finned tube fabricated by a ploughing–extruding process. The edge-shaped finned tube integrates more than one heat transfer enhancement technology and can enhance the heat transfer capacity greatly. It is seen that the overall heat transfer coefficient and heat flux increase with inlet velocity of cold water increasing, and decrease with inlet temperature of cold water increasing, whereas the shell-side heat transfer coefficient decreases with inlet velocity of cold water increasing and increases with inlet temperature of cold water increasing. At the same inlet velocity, the shell-side heat transfer coefficient for the edge-shaped finned tube is improved by 5–7 times compared to that of a smooth tube. At the same temperature difference between wall and vapor, the shell-side heat transfer coefficient is also higher than what had been reported in the literature. The shell-side heat transfer coefficient of the edge-shaped finned tube decreases with the increase of fabrication parameter feed at the same inlet velocity or inlet temperature of cold water. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: In the past few decades, a number of studies have investigated the association of the wolframin ( WFS1) gene H611R polymorphism with mood disorders, but the findings are not always consistent. Aims: The objective of the present study is to assess the association between WFS1 gene H611R polymorphism and mood disorders by using a meta-analysis. Methods: A comprehensive literature search of PubMed, Excerpta Medica Database, Elsevier Science Direct and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases was conducted to identify relevant articles, with the last report up to April 15, 2014. Pooled odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was estimated. Results: Seven studies including 1318 cases and 1252 controls were selected from potentially relevant articles. This meta-analysis showed that there was no significant association between WFS1 gene H611R polymorphism and mood disorders (R vs. H: OR = 0.93, 95% CI = 0.82-1.05, P = 0.22; HR+ RR vs. HH: OR = 0.98, 95% CI = 0.82-1.17, P = 0.80; RR vs. HH+ HR: OR = 0.84, 95% CI = 0.67-1.04, P = 0.11; RR vs. HH: OR = 0.86, 95% CI = 0.67-1.10, P = 0.24; HR vs. HH: OR = 1.03, 95% CI = 0.78-1.36, P = 0.83). In subgroup analyses by ethnicity, we did not detect any significant association of this polymorphism with mood disorders in Caucasian and Asian populations ( P > 0.05). In subgroup analyses by types of mood disorders, we also did not detect any significant association of this polymorphism with bipolar disorder or major depressive disorder ( P > 0.05). Conclusions: The results of this meta-analysis suggest that there is no association between WFS1 gene H611R polymorphism and mood disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coal mining in high groundwater table areas causes many environmental issues. In China, such regions have three unique and significant characteristics, (1) multiple coal seams; (2) thick coal seams and (3) high groundwater, which lead to mine subsidence ponds. In the past, reclamation of disturbed land was carried out after subsidence stabilised. Such reclamation is a low-percentage of reclaimed farmland, and has high reclamation cost, difficult construction conditions, because of relatively flat terrain and the shortage of backfilling materials in flat topography. Therefore, salvaging the topsoil before it is submerged in water and reusing it while subsidence becomes stable would be a good way to improve the reclamation efficiency. This paper considers a longwall panel in Shandong province as a case study. Dynamic mining subsidence was simulated using mining subsidence prediction software. To illustrate subsidence development and its effects on farmland, the ground was first divided into cell size of 40 m along with pre-mining topography. The mining subsidence and water logging time for each cell were then calculated. Based on the simulations, the topsoil removal time, scope and depth of topsoil was determined. The salvaged topsoil could be reused subsequently, which would provide enough filling material to raise the percentage of reclaimed farmland, and reduce reclamation costs. The research benefits the development of concurrent mining and reclamation technology in underground mining sites, and promotes the synchronisation of exploitations and treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new triterpenoid saponin, named 3-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 3)-β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-[α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 3)]-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-[β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 2)]-α-l-arabinopyranosyl-3β,16α,28,30-tetrahydroxy-olean-12-ene (1), along with four known triterpenoids (2–5), was isolated from the rhizomes ofArdisia gigantifolia. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. Compounds1–4showed cytotoxic activity against Hela, EJ, BCG, and HepG-2 cell lines. The percentage of early apoptotic cells after treatment with1was significantly increased compared with control cells (p < 0.05). [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A new regioisomer of andrographolide, 17-hydro-9-dehydro-andrographolide (1), and five new sulfates of andrographolide (2–6) were isolated from Xiyanping, a China licensed anti-inflammatory drug derived from andrographolide through sulfation reaction. Their chemical structures were elucidated by spectroscopic and chemical methods. The inhibition effects of these compounds on angiogenesis were evaluated by rat aortic ring assay. Compounds1and3exhibited strong inhibitory activities on vascular endothelial cell tube formation in rat aorta ring at the concentration of 1 μM. Compounds4and5showed moderate suppression on angiogenesis at 10 μM. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Eco-city construction is a powerful method which can advance a city from traditional industrial civilisation to ecological civilisation. The city of Huaibei, with 50 years of coal mining history, has been listed as a national resource-exhausted city. The city's sustainable development and ecological restoration work face severe challenges. This study presents a time-space evolution analysis of mining subsidence to show the evolution and the distribution of the subsidence area in Huaibei. Intensive use was made of land evaluation to formulate land use measures. According to this analysis, and based on the popular eco-reconstruction movement, suggestions for land reclamation and eco-reconstruction are proposed for the city of Huaibei. The paper aims to make strategic recommendations to help Huaibei city transform from a resource-exhausted city to an eco-city. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A highly supersaturated nanocrystalline Cr-25 wt% Zr alloy has been prepared by mechanical alloying of elemental crystalline powders. High-purity powders of Cr and Zr were milled for up to 20 h. The development of the microstructure was investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy. XRD patterns confirmed complete alloying of the Zr and Cr. The contribution of grain boundaries, the chemical potential of a solute atom induced by dislocations, and the elastic strain energy arising from the different sizes of Cr and Zr atoms have been calculated. The alloy formation is discussed with respect to the thermodynamic conditions of the material. The role of internal strains and stored enthalpies by dislocations on solute atoms is the major mechanical driving force for alloying and this is critically assessed in this article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The powder metallurgy technology of mechanical alloying followed by hot-pressing consolidation has been used to obtain NbCr2-Ni Laves phases. High-purity Nb, Cr, and Ni crystalline powders were milled for periods up to 35 h. These powders were vacuum sintered at 1250°C for 0.5 h under 45 MPa. The phase transformations of NbCr2-Ni Laves phases have been investigated by X-ray diffraction. The grain size decreases and the microstrain increases with increased Ni content. Different phase transformations were observed from NbCr2-Ni intermetallics. It is found that the electron concentration and phase stability correlation is obeyed in the Nb-Cr-Ni systems. However, the electron concentration corresponding to the C15/C14 phase transition is found to move to a higher value (i.e. 6.103) than the predicted one (i.e. 5.88) in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We prove that a finite-dimensional algebra over an algebraically closed field is of derived dimension 0 if and only if it is an iterated tilted algebra of Dynkin type. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complete mitochondrial genome of Siberian sturgeon Acipenser baerii had been determined. The total length of the mitogenome was 16,763 bp and had 13 protein-coding, 22 tRNA, and 2 rRNA genes. Except for the eight tRNA and Nd6 genes, all other mitochondrial genes are encoded on the heavy strand. The overall base composition of the heavy strand is 30.3% A, 24.3% T, 29.1% C, 16.3% G, with an AT content of 54.6%. The DNA sequence of A. baerii shared 97.8, 97.6, 93.5, 91.6, 93.6, and 87.1% sequence homology with that of Acipenser sinensis, Acipenser gueldenstaedtii, Acipenser transmontanus, Acipenser dabryanus, Acipenser stellatus, and Polyodon spathula. Molecular data presented here provide a useful tool for evolutionary as well as population genetics studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complete mitochondrial genome of Alosa sapidissima has been determined. The total length of the mitogenome was 16,697 bp and had a gene content (13 protein-coding, 22 tRNAs and 2 rRNAs. Except for the seven tRNA and Nd6 genes, all other mitochondrial genes are encoded on the heavy strand. The overall base composition of the heavy strand is 28.3% A, 24.8% T, 28.9% C, 17.9% G, with an AT content of 53.1%. The DNA sequence of Alosa. sapidissima shared 97.1, 93.9, 88.8 and 82.3% sequence identity with that of Alosa alosa, Alosa pseudoharengus. Molecular data here presented provide a useful toll for evolutionary as well as population genetic studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complete mitochondrial genome of Japanese seabass Lateolabrax japonicus has been determined. The total length of the mitogenome was 16,601 bp and had the gene content of 13 protein-coding, 22 tRNA, and 2 rRNA genes. Except for the eight tRNA and Nd6 genes, all other mitochondrial genes are encoded on the heavy strand. The overall base compositions of the heavy strand are 27.27% A, 25.97% T, 29.35% C, and 17.41% G, with an AT content of 53.24%. The DNA sequence of L. japonicus shared 69.3%, 81%, 80.4%, and 79.7% sequence identity with that of Morone saxatilis, Histiopterus typus, Kyphosus cinerascens, and Siniperca scherzeri. Molecular data presented here provide a useful toll for evolutionary as well as population genetic studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to achieve a controllable spin-polarized source, we have applied a transverse electric field to a spin filter based on a novel magnetic nanostructure with zero average magnetic field. We have analytically calculated the transmission coefficient, conductance and spin polarization for electrons to transit the device in the presence of a transverse electric field. The results demonstrate that the transmission, the conductance and the spin polarization vary sensitively with the electric field. It is shown that the performance of the spin filter can be manipulated expediently by adjusting the transverse electric field. Thus, the spin filter can be utilized as an electrically controllable spin-polarized source for spintronics applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eastern China has a long history of coal mining and a large number of coal mine sites have been abandoned in this region leaving a legacy of mining-related land subsidence, coal waste piles and brownfield sites. Furthermore, as a result of the historical planning approach in the region, many cities were built around coal mines. Therefore, the ecological restoration of abandoned mine land has become vital to the sustainable development in these cities. This paper uses the Datong coal mine site in Huainan as a case study to develop a detailed ecological restoration plan and functional division for an abandoned underground coal mine land by considering the local conditions and mining history, site assessment and integrated monitoring tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using first-principles calculations, we predict mechanical and thermodynamic properties of both Mg17Al12and Mg2Sn precipitates in Mg–Al–Sn alloys. The elastic properties including the polycrystalline bulk modulus, shear modulus, Young’s modulus, Lame’s coefficients and Poisson’s ratio of both Mg17Al12and Mg2Sn phases are determined with the Voigt–Reuss–Hill approximation. Our results of equilibrium lattice constants agree closely with previous experimental and other theoretical results. The ductility and brittleness of the two phases are characterized with the estimation from Cauchy pressure and the value ofB/G. Mechanical anisotropy is characterized by the anisotropic factors and direction-dependent Young’s modulus. The higher Debye temperature of Mg17Al12phase means that it has a higher thermal conductivity and strength of chemical bonding relative to Mg2Sn. The anisotropic sound velocities also indicate the elastic anisotropies of both phase structures. Additionally, density of states and Mulliken population analysis are performed to reveal the bonding nature of both phases. The calculations associated with phonon properties indicate the dynamical stability of both phase structures. The temperature dependences of thermodynamic properties of the two phases are predicted via the quasi-harmonic approximation. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Human CYP1A2 is an important enzyme for drug metabolism and procarcinogen activation. This study aimed to explore the binding mode of ligands with CYP1A2 and to screen potential inhibitors from a library of herbal compounds using computational and in vitro approaches. The heme prosthetic group and six residues (Thr124, Phe125, Phe226, Phe260, Gly316, and Ala317) in the active site of CYP1A2 were identified as important residues for ligand binding using the LIGPLOT program. Ala317 in helix I immediately above heme was highly conserved in most human CYPs with known crystal structures. In molecular docking, 19 of the 56 herbal compounds examined were identified as potential inhibitors of CYP1A2. Up to 21 of the 56 herbal compounds were hit by the pharmacophore model of CYP1A2 inhibitors developed and validated in this study. In the in vitro inhibition study, 8 herbal compounds were identified as moderate to potent inhibitors of CYP1A2. Five of the 8 herbal compounds predicted to be potential inhibitors were confirmed as CYP1A2 inhibitors in the in vitro study. A combination of computational and in vitro approaches, represent a useful tool to identify potential inhibitors for CYP1A2 from herbal compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the effect of the spacers of S-/O-bridged dipyridylamides on the structures of Co(II)/Zn(II) complexes, [Co(L1)(chda)]·1.5H2O (CP1), [Co(L2)(chda)] (CP2), [Zn(L1)(hip)]·DMA·2H2O (CP3), and [Zn(L2)(hip)]·2.8H2O (CP4) [L1 = N,N′-bis(pyridine-3-yl)thiophene-2,5-dicarboxamide, H2chda = trans-1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, L2 = N,N′-bis(pyridine-3-yl)-4,4′-oxybis(benzoic) dicarboxamide, H2hip = 5-hydroxyisophthalic acid, DMA = N,N-dimethylacetamide], have been solvothermally synthesized. X-ray single-crystal diffraction shows that CP1 is a 2-D 3,5-connected network based on Co-L1 linear chains and (Co-chda)2 double chains. CP2 features a 1-D structure derived from 1-D wave-like (Co-chda)2 double chains decorated by terminal L2 ligands. CP3 and CP4 show wave-like (4,4) networks constructed by 1-D Zn-L1 zigzag and Zn-hip zigzag (for CP3)/linear (for CP4) chains. The effect of the spacers of S-/O-bridged dipyridylamides on the structures of the title complexes was discussed. Electrochemical behaviors of CP1-CP2 and solid-state luminescent properties of CP3-CP4 were studied. The luminescence investigations show that CP3 and CP4 are recycled fluorescent probes for environmentally relevant Fe3+ ions. The photocatalytic properties for the degradation of methylene blue (MB) under ultraviolet light irradiation of CP3-CP4 and the recyclable materials after fluorescent sensing Fe3+ ions (named CP3@Fe3+ and CP4@Fe3+) have also been investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Celiac trunk aneurysms (CTAs) are rare and usually asymptomatic. Although most of these aneurysms can be treated with percutaneous embolization, some uncommon locations of the aneurysm may make this approach impossible. We report a patient with a celiac trunk aneurysm (CTA) and a proximal splenic artery aneurysm (SAA). Due to the size and location of these two aneurysms, after multidisciplinary discussion, endovascular management was considered inappropriate and they were treated by laparoscopic ligation of the two aneurysms and revascularization. This procedure offers good postoperative recovery with good preservation of the visceral function. Some collateral vessels in the viscera were obvious on postoperative day 7. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objective: To investigate the effects of simvastatin on the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the substantia nigra in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced rat model of Parkinson disease (PD), and to study the mechanisms underlying the neuroprotective effects of simvastatin in PD.Methods: The LPS-PD model was established by injection of LPS (5 mg/mL, 2.0 μL) into the right substantia nigra compacta (SNC). Rats in the sham-operated group received saline. The simvastatin treatment group was intraperitoneally administered simvastatin (5 mg/kg, 2.0 μL) at 1 h before, and daily for 14 days after surgery, while the sham-operated and LPS-model groups received saline. Iba-1-positive cells and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), as well as iNOS and BDNF in the SNC were detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting, respectively. The effect of simvastatin in the PD model was also examined in behavioral tests.Results: The LPS-model group exhibited typical animal PD behaviors. Compared with the control group, the LPS-model group exhibited a decreased number of DA neurons (p< 0.01) in the SNC, as well as increases in the Iba-1-positive cell number and iNOS expression (p< 0.05), while BDNF expression was downregulated (p< 0.01). These effects were inhibited by simvastatin treatment (p< 0.05).Conclusion: Simvastatin mediates a protective effect on dopaminergic neurons in the SNC in the LPS-PD model, possibly by promoting neuronal repair and regeneration, and by inhibiting oxidative stress, thus improving substantia nigra function. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Associations between plants and microorganisms are very complex and are the subject of an increasing number of studies. Here, we specifically address the relationship between poplar and its endophytic bacteria. The role and importance of endophytic bacteria in growth and development of their host plants is still underestimated. However, since many endophytes have a beneficial effect on their host, an improved understanding of the interaction between poplar and its endophytic bacteria has the potential to provide major breakthroughs that will improve the productivity of poplar. Endophytic bacteria can improve plant growth and development in a direct or indirect way. Direct plant growth promoting mechanisms may involve nitrogen fixation, production of plant growth regulators such as auxins, cytokinins and gibberellins, and suppression of stress ethylene synthesis by 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase activity. Endophytic bacteria can indirectly benefit the plant by preventing the growth or activity of plant pathogens through competition for space and nutrients, antibiosis, production of hydrolytic enzymes, inhibition of pathogen-produced enzymes or toxins, and through systemic induction of plant defense mechanisms. Examples of applications for custom endophyte-host partnerships include improved productivity and establishment of poplar trees on marginal soils and the phytoremediation of contaminated soils and groundwater. A systems biology approach to understand the synergistic interactions between poplar and its beneficial endophytic bacteria represents an important field of research, which is facilitated by the recent sequencing of the genomes of poplar and several of its endophytic bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]