Search

To solve the problem of difficult utilization of steel slag, the liquid steel slag was modified and the air-quenching granulation process was carried out to make steel slag into a value-added end product: air-quenching granulated steel slag. The granulated slag was tested to analyze the variation rule of slag properties under different modification conditions. Based on the phase diagram of CaO–Si2O–FeO–MgO–Al2O3 slag system, the feasibility of blast furnace (BF) slag as modifier was determined. When the addition of BF slag was increased from 0% to 35%, following results were obtained. The slag fluidity was improved, and the air-quenching temperature range was expanded. Then, the yield of air-quenched steel slag increased, while the granulation rate, the degree of sphericity, the compactness were decreased. Furthermore, the air-quenching granulation process could substantially improve the stability and the amorphous content of steel slag. The maximum removal rate of free CaO was above 80% and the amorphous content was up to 95%. Taking the factors of yield and properties of granulated steel slag into full consideration, the optimum proportion of BF slag is around 15%.

Purpose: To evaluate the healing efficacy of a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) preparation Zaoxiu Burn Ointment (ZBO) on experimental burns in rats. Methods: The rats were randomly divided into four groups of eight rats each: control group, silver sulfadiazine (SSD)-treated group, moist exposed burn ointment (MEBO)-treated group and ZBO-treated group. ZBO, SSD and MEBO were applied topically twice daily for 7 days. SSD and MEBO were used as reference control. The observation of wound area contraction and histological analysis of wound tissues were performed. The effect of ZBO on MMPs, VEGF and Type-III collagen proteins of wound tissue in rats were determined by Western blot. Results: After 10 days of topical treatment with ZBO, ZBO-treated group showed faster reduction in wound area in comparison with control groups (p < 0.01). MMP-2, MMP-9, VEGF and type-III collagen expression of the wound tissue increased significantly (p < 0.05) in comparison with the control burn wounds in rats. The ZBO had no cytotoxic effect on BHK-21 cell line. Histological results showed an overall early recovery and regeneration in ZBO-treated group when compared with control group. Conclusion: ZBO possesses significant wound-healing activity in full-thickness burn wounds in rats, and can potentially be developed for the treatment of burns patient in future.

ZSM-5 zeolite was modified by Fenton's reagent, FeSO4 and H2O2 aqueous solutions using impregnation method, respectively. All these catalysts were characterized by XRD, ICP-OES, N2 adsorption-desorption, NH3-TPD, Py-FTIR and evaluated in propene oligomerization process. The results demonstrated that the framework of the parent ZSM-5 was well preserved after modification with Fenton's reagent, FeSO4 or H2O2 solutions. However, the SiO2/Al2O3 ratios for all the modified ZSM-5 samples increased due to the dealumination. Furthermore, Fe was detected in Fenton-ZSM-5 while no Fe was observed for FeSO4-ZSM-5 catalyst. The BET surface areas and total pore volumes of three modified catalysts significantly increased compared with the original ZSM-5 sample. Among them, the BET surface area of the Fenton-ZSM-5 increased by 17.86%. The increase of mesopores was probably caused by the removal of the residual organic template in the catalysts due to the generation of ·OH radicals by Fenton's reagent and H2O2. The Fenton-ZSM-5 catalyst formed new acid sites of Bronsted (B) and Lewis (L) with little change in the total calculated amount, which significantly changed the B/L ratio. Compared with the parent ZSM-5, the Fenton-ZSM-5 catalyst exhibited the best activity and stability for propene oligomerization reaction. The initial propene conversion and diesel selectivity were as high as 98.3% and 92.4%, respectively, and kept at >80% and >82% for about 24 h, respectively.

Gas-quenched steel slag abrasive was obtained by gas quenching with high-temperature liquid steel slag as raw material. The phase composition, thermal properties, micromorphology, magnetic properties, and mechanical properties of the particles were characterized by using an X-ray diffractometer, a differential thermal analyzer, a scanning electron microscope, a magnetic property meter, and a compressive strength tester, respectively. Results show that the gas-quenched steel slag abrasive is a monodisperse regular sphere. The compressive strength of a single particle is 34 N. The product is ferromagnetic and has good thermal properties. The micromorphology and flatness of the workpiece before and after grinding with the gas-quenched steel slag abrasive were measured using a three-dimensional profilometer. Results reveal that the surface roughness of the workpiece is reduced to 1.526, 0.623, and 0.227 µm after grinding for 5, 10, and 20 min, respectively. The surface profile fluctuation decreases to ± 1.0 µm. Thus, the workpiece surface tends to be flat without obvious scratches.

As a natural compound, resveratrol (Res) is confirmed to be promising drug for the treatment of malignant tumors. Therefore, our study aimed to observe the impacts of Res on the proliferation and apoptosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma cells (HSC-3 cells) as well as the mechanism involving chromobox protein homolog 7 (CBX7) signal transduction. HSC-3 cells were treated with Res, Akt agonist (AL3818) and p16 inhibitor (SC79), and transfected with CBX7 mimics and inhibitor plasmids. The CCK-8 assay was used to detect cell proliferation, flow cytometry was performed to assess cell cycle and apoptosis, and cell colonies and histone DNA level were also measured. Western blot analysis was used to determine the expression levels of related proteins. HSC-3 cells showed decreased cell proliferation, colonies, BrdU-counled cells and increased apoptosis, histone DNA level, the activities of caspase-3 and caspase-9 when treated with Res. Western blot analysis revealed elevated Cle-PARP and Cle-caspase 3 expression and reduced t-PARP expression in HSC-3 cells treated with Res compared with control. AL3818 and SC79 could decrease the inhibitory effects of Res on the growth of HSC-3 cells. Furthermore, CBX7 overexpression could also partly reverse the roles of Res in the growth of HSC-3 cells, and Akt and p16 signal transduction. Our results demonstrate that Res suppresses the proliferation, and induces the apoptosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma cells through the inhibition of CBX7/Akt and the activation of p16 cascades.

The effects of rare earth Ce on the microstructure and mechanical properties of impure copper containing Pb were investigated using OM, SEM, EPMA, TEM and tensile testing. TEM and EDS analysis reveal that spherical CePb3 particles form after Ce addition. CePb3 particles, with average size of ~3.6 μm, homogenously distribute in the Cu matrix. Due to small lattice misfit (~4.62%) with Cu matrix, CePb3 particles can act as effective nucleation sites beneficial to the grain refinement. Pb at grain boundaries seriously deteriorates the mechanical properties of Cu. The tensile strength and the elongation of Cu−0.1Pb are decreased by 43.1% and 56.7% compared with those of pure copper, respectively. Ce can purify grain boundaries, cause the precipitation of CePb3 particles and refine grain sizes, which contribute to significant improvement of the mechanical properties of Cu. Compared with Cu−0.1Pb, the tensile strength (179 MPa) and the elongation (38.5%) of Cu−0.1Pb−0.3Ce are increased by 117.6% and 151.6%, respectively.

Background The specific underlying pathogenesis of prolactinoma has not been clarified yet, to the best of our knowledge. p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling including p38α MAPK (MAPK14), p38β (MAPK11), p38γ (MAPK12) and p38δ (MAPK13) is associated with the development and progression of several types of cancer. Methods Immunofluorescence analysis was performed on the prolactin (PRL) and MAPK14 expressions of pituitary gland in C57BL/6 mice and human prolactinoma specimen. In the present study, the role of MAPK14 in prolactinoma was determined using estradiol-induced mice and dopamine D2 receptor knockout (DRD2−/−) mice models in C57BL/6 wild-type (WT), MAPK14−/− and DRD2−/−MAPK14+/− mice. GH3 cells were transfected with different sets of MAPK14 small interfering RNA, which to study MAPK14 and PRL expression in GH3 cells. Results Immunofluorescence analysis showed that PRL and MAPK14 expression were colocalized and increased in the pituitary gland of mice and human prolactinoma specimen compared with the control specimen. It was shown that PRL and MAPK14 expression was colocalized and increased significantly in the pituitary gland of estradiol-injected prolactinoma mice compared with the control mice. Knockout of MAPK14 significantly inhibited tumor overgrowth, and PRL expression was decreased in estradiol-induced mice. Furthermore, MAPK14 knockout of DRD2−/−MAPK14+/− mice significantly reduced the overgrowth of pituitary gland and PRL production and secretion compared with DRD2−/− mice. MAPK14 knockout using siRNA inhibited PRL production in GH3 cells. Conclusion These results suggest that MAPK14 serves a promoting role in the formation of prolactinoma, and highlights the potential of MAPK14 as a potential therapeutic target in the treatment of prolactinoma.

Background The pathogenesis of prolactinomas has not been clarified yet. p38 MAPK signaling including p38α MAPK (MAPK14), p38β (MAPK11), p38γ (MAPK12) and p38δ (MAPK13) is related to the development and progression of many cancers. We sought to investigate the role of MAPK14 in prolactinomas.Methods Immunofluorescence assay was performed on the prolactin (PRL) and MAPK14 protein expressions of pituitary gland in C57BL/6 mice and human prolactinomas specimens. We analyzed the role of MAPK14 in prolactinomas using estradiol-induced model and DRD2-/- model in C57BL/6 wild-type (WT), MAPK14-/- , DRD2-/-MAPK14+/- mice. GH3 cells were transfected with different sets of MAPK14 siRNA, which to study MAPK14 and PRL protein expression in GH3.Results Immunofluorescenc assaye found that PRL and MAPK14 were co-locatied and increased significantly in the pituitary gland of estradiol-injected prolactinomas mice than in control mice. And the deficiency of MAPK14 significantly inhibited the tumor overgrowth, along with the PRL decrease in estradiol-induced mice. Furthermore, MAPK14 deficiency in DRD2-/-MAPK14+/- mice significantly inhibited the overgrowth of pituitary gland and PRL production and secretion than in DRD2-/- mice. And MAPK14 knockdown by siRNA inhibited PRL production in GH3 cells.Conclusion The results establish that MAPK14 plays a promoting role in the formation of prolactinomas, and validate MAPK14 as potential therapeutic target.

Prolactinomas are harmful to human health, and the clinical first-line treatment drug is bromocriptine. However, 20% prolactinomas patients did not respond to bromocriptine. Hordenine is an alkaloid separated from Fructus Hordei Germinatus, which showed significant antihyperprolactinemia activity in rats. The aim of this study was to explore the effect and mechanism of hordenine on prolactinomas in rats. The study used estradiol to induce prolactinomas, which caused the activation of the pituitary mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway in rats significantly. The treatment of hordenine restored estradiol, induced the overgrowth of pituitary gland, and reduced the prolactin (PRL) accumulation in the serum and pituitary gland of rats by blocking the MAPK (p38, ERK1/2, and JNK) activation and production of inflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6). The antiprolactinoma effect of hordenine was mediated by inhibiting the MAPK signaling pathway activation in rats.

During the past 20 years kiwifruit has expanded dramatically in planting area and location, in total production, and also in diversity with different types of fruit. For example, variations in flesh colour have resulted in the commercialisation of green-fleshed, yellow-fleshed and red-fleshed kiwifruit. This diversity is from two large-fruited Actinidia species, A. chinensis and A. deliciosa, now widely grown throughout many parts of the world. Other fruit types may become available through use of other Actinidia species. The New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Research Limited (PFR) has an active kiwifruit breeding programme to produce new kiwifruit cultivars that meet market requirements. An efficient in vitro biotechnology platform had been established to preserve and create new genotypes for rapid kiwifruit breeding through in vitro culture and propagation of various Actinidia species. Petiole and nodal shoot segments are produced from cuttings collected from dormant canes of adult plants in our germplasm repositories and breeding programme. This paper reviews the establishment of in vitro culture systems to allow chromosome doubling, micro-propagation, the testing of tolerance to bacterial canker of kiwifruit, and the development of new kiwifruit cultivars.

The solidification process of copper with and without La was observed by a high-temperature confocal laser scanning microscopy. The solidification microstructure was simulated by cellular-automaton and finite-element (CAFE) method and the source of equiaxed grains, the constitutional supercooling and nucleation rate were investigated. The results showed that some floats with regular shape appeared in copper melt with La addition, which is the source of equiaxed grains. The simulation results are in a good agreement with experimental results. The mechanism of columnar to equiaxed transition was that the spontaneous nucleation probability of copper melt was increased with La addition. The nucleation rate was increased due to the increase in critical nucleation temperature and constitutional supercooling, and the reduction of nucleation undercooling.

The TP2 copper tube was prepared with La microalloying by horizontal continuous casting (HCC). The absorptivity of La and its effects on microstructure, tensile and corrosion properties of HCC TP2 copper tube were studied by means of the inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES), optical microscope (OM), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and potentiodynamic polarization measurements. The results show that the absorptivity of La in the HCC TP2 copper tube is about 15% under antivacuum conditions due to the good chemical activities of La. The impurity elements in copper tube such as O, S, Pb and Si can be significantly reduced, and the average columnar dendrite spacing of the copper tube can also be reduced from 2.21 mm to 0.93 mm by adding La. The ultimate tensile strength and the elongation with and without La addition are almost unchanged. However, the annual corrosion rate of the HCC TP2 copper tube is reduced from 10.18 mm•a-1 to 9.37 mm•a-1 by the purification effect of trace La.

The use of the gas-quenching process for preparing porous bead slag abrasive was investigated in this paper. An X-ray diffractometer, field emission scanning electron microscope, mercury intrusion porosimetry, and stereo microscope were used to analyze the microbead forming mechanism, pore structure, acid–alkali resistance, and polishing properties of porous steel slag microbead abrasives. Results show that the porous steel slag abrasives present a mono-disperse spherical shape with a hard shell and the porosity is 42.36%. The thermodynamic fractal model indicates that the fractal dimension of the abrasive is 2.226, which shows its simple pore structure. The sample has better chemical stability in the polishing fluid than in water, acid, and alkali solution. Therefore, aluminum and copper alloys are used as substrates for polishing tests. The results indicate that the abrasives could effectively improve the quality of the workpiece surface and the polishing efficiency for aluminum alloy was higher than that for copper alloy.

The HZSM-5 was synthesized with modifying by different contents of hemicellulose. The morphology, texture and acidity were characterized with XRD, SEM, N 2 adsorption-desorption, NH 3 -TPD and Py-IR. Butene oligomerization over the modified HZSM-5 was tested. The results indicated that the HZSM-5 with 1.6% hemicellulose exhibited the best activity and stability on the butene oligomerization reaction. The conversion can maintain about 80% after 140 h on stream with the highest selectivities of the trimer, tetramer and diesel component in the products, which may be related with its high BET surface and mesoporous volume, and the strongest acidity.

The absorptivity of La in pure copper and the effects of La microalloying on microstructure evolution of pure copper were studied by adding different La contents to pure copper under vacuum condition. The microstructure of copper ingots with different La contents were synthetically analyzed by means of optical microscope (OM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM), and the content of La in ingots was tested using inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). The results showws that the absorptivity of La in pure copper was more than 90% under vacuum condition and the burning rate was mainly determinated by autoxidation of La and the reaction with impurity elements in copper. The microstructure of copper ingot was refined with La addition. The columnar to equiaxed transition (CET) occured with 0.14% La addition and the microstructure of copper ingot was full equiaxed grains when La content was 0.16%. The CET mechanism was that the constitutional supercooling in copper melt was increased with La addition. The tensile strength of copper alloys could be improved slightly, while the elongation was decreased a little after La alloying.

The combustion reactivity of two chars prepared from 2 low-rank coals in Northwest China were studied using a thermogravimetric analyser (TGA). The effects of different atmospheres (O2/CO2, O2/N2 and O2/Ar) and different oxygen concentrations on the combustion characteristics were investigated. The results indicate that both atmosphere and oxygen concentration show effectiveness on combustion of char. Compared with N2 and Ar, CO2 could significantly promote the reaction. When combustion atmosphere changes from O2/CO2 to O2/Ar, the burnout temperature increases by 63.7 and 68.8°C for the two chars respectively. Meanwhile, when the combustion atmosphere changes from O2/CO2 to O2/N2, which is 135.9 and 129.6°C, respectively. An increase in concentration of oxygen can also improve the combustion performance of chars in the test. At the same time, kinetic analysis of the combustion profiles of the chars reveals that both the apparent activation energy E and the pre-exponential factor A increased with increasing oxygen concentration and the compensation effect exists between activation energy E and pre-exponential factor A of chars' combustion.

Purpose: To establish a rapid molecular method for the detection of aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2), and determine whether the polymorphic ALDH2 gene is associated with drinking behavior in a Chinese population.Methods: The gene polymorphism of ALDH2 *2 was detected using pyrosequencing and TaqMan realtime polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques. Genotyping of 176 volunteers were performed at The Third Hospital of Wuhan, Hubei, China. Genetic associations with alcohol use behavior was assessed.Results: Pyrosequencing and TaqMan real time PCR methods were successfully developed to identify ALDH2 *2 polymorphisms. The allele frequencies of ALDH2 *2 were 21.31 % in the Chinese population. While the genotype frequency of heterozygous ALDH2 *1/ *2 plus homozygous ALDH2 *2/ *2 was 46.67 % in non-drinkers, it was 30.17 % in the alcoholics group (p = 0.030). The allele frequency of ALDH2 *2 was 15.09 % in the alcoholics group and 28.33 % among non-drinkers (p = 0.011). There were substantial differences in allele frequencies of ALDH2 genotypes between this study’s Chinese sample and other ethnic groups in Asia; the frequency of ALDH2 *2 allele was significantly higher than that in European and Americans.Conclusion: The developed pyrosequencing and TaqMan real time PCR methods are rapid, accurate, high-throughput, convenient, and reliable for detecting ALDH2 polymorphisms. ALDH2 *2 gene protects against the development of alcoholism. The frequencies of ALDH2 in this Chinese population differ from those of other ethnic populations.Keywords: Aldehyde dehydrogenase 2, Polymorphism, TaqMan real time Polymerase Chain Reaction, Pyrosequencing, Allele, Alcoholics, Genotype frequency

Kiwifruit industries throughout the world are threatened by the bacterial canker caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae (Psa). Vines of the yellow-fleshed and red-fleshed cultivars seem very susceptible and can die shortly after infection. Even green-fleshed cultivars can be seriously affected. The best solution is to breed Psa-resistant or tolerant cultivars. Using conventional methods, this would not only take a long time and require a large planting area for screening of response to field infection and selection of resistant plants, but could also pose a danger by supplying inoculum which would spread the disease. Screening of young plantlets could provide a solution – saving time and keeping infected plant material in controlled environments. We report the development of a protocol for germinating kiwifruit seedlings on agar medium. The usual methods of germinating Actinidia seed involve a short cold treatment with a suitable degree of moisture, and then stratification. This approach cannot be used for seed to be germinated on agar medium because of the enhanced risk of contamination. Several different pre-treatments (warm water or cold storage) and application of gibberellic acid (GA3) were trialled. Germination rates varied widely with species, genotype, and pre-treatment. The protocol has enabled in vitro kiwifruit seedlings to be used to develop bioassays to identify Psa-tolerant offspring in our kiwifruit breeding programme. Following the procedures we have previously described for in vitro chromosome doubling by treatment with colchicine, we are using the in vitro seedlings to create a polyploid population for the next generation of novel kiwifruit cultivar selection.

CaSO4 oxygen carriers with silica sol were prepared and their reaction performances with CH4, CO and H2 were experimentally investigated. The formation characteristics of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) in PVC combustion by means of chemical looping combustion (CLC) based on CaSO4 oxygen carrier and air were studied in a tube furnace system. The results show that CaSO4 oxygen carriers with silica sol can be completely reduced by CH4, CO and H2. The reaction time of CH4 and H2 is much shorter than CO. The chemical looping combustion of PVC can effectively inhibit the formation of PCDD/Fs. The yield and International Toxicity Equivalent Quantity (I-TEQ) of PCDD/Fs produced in CLC are 2270.9 pg/g and 290.2 pg(I-TEQ)/g, much lower than those in air combustion which are 34172.5 pg/g and 732.8 pg(I-TEQ)/g. It is mainly because fuel doesn't directly contact with O2 in CLC, the oxidative cleavage of large carbon molecule and the conversion from HCl to Cl2 are significantly reduced which will inhibit the low temperature de novo synthesis and precursors reaction of PCDD/Fs.

Homozygous genotypes are valuable for genomic and genetic studies in higher plants, but obtaining homozygous perennial plants using conventional breeding technologies is challenging, with the long times and large field areas required for several back-crossed generations. It is especially difficult with Actinidia because of dioecy, long generation times, high heterozygosity and variation in ploidy from diploid to octoploid. In vitro androgenesis through anther or microspore culture offers a route to develop the haploid and dihaploid plants often used in modern crop breeding, genetics and genomic studies. I report in vitro culture of anthers of six genotypes of diploid Actinidia chinensis resulting in production of callus and regeneration of plantlets. Preliminary results showed that genotype, plant growth regulators, the stage of microspore development and pre-treatments (cold, heat shock) all affected callus formation. Confirmation of their callus origin, homozygosity and determination of the ploidy levels of plantlets are underway.

SUMMARYThe effect of the ploidy level of the polleniser has not been considered during the characterisation and evaluation of colchicine-induced autotetraploids of Actinidia chinensis (kiwifruit). It is therefore possible that few induced autotetraploids reach their potential size. Five genotypes of tetraploid pollenisers were used for controlled pollination of red-fleshed autotetraploids. Fruit of colchicine-induced autotetraploids from two genotypes of female red-fleshed A. chinensis plants were, on average, 25–30% larger than fruit arising from open-pollination in an orchard containing only a diploid male as polleniser. Fruit dimensions increased more in cross-section than in length, so the fruit were more round. Seed set increased up to two-fold and the number of filled seeds also increased significantly (P ≤ 0.01). The average filled-seed weighed two-to-three times more than that of seed from open-pollination with pollen from a diploid male, and were heavier than those in fruit of their diploid proge...

The catalytic performance of various zeolites modified with tungsten oxide in the conversion of dimethyl ether (DME) to toluene in the presence of oxygen was investigated in a continuous flow fixed-bed reactor. The results indicated that WO 3 /HZSM-5 as a catalyst is highly selective in the conversion of DME to toluene; under the optimized conditions, i.e. atmospheric pressure, 290°C, and with a DME/O 2 mol ratio of 2:1, the conversion of DME is 98.97%, with the selectivity of 39.71% to toluene. The characterization results about the catalyst structure and acidity illustrate that the porous structure of ZSM-5 is suitable for the formation of toluene from DME. The doping of WO 3 adjusts the distribution of the surface acid sites and then inhibits the formation of side-products in the presence of oxygen, which is able to enhance the selectivity to toluene.

Seed characteristics are important in kiwifruit breeding and production as they affect the efficiency of cross breeding and commercial fruit size and quality. Following a study of the size, shape and quality attributes of induced tetraploid kiwifruit, three methods for seed evaluation were compared to uncover the effect of chromosome doubling on seed development, quantity and quality in induced tetraploids of Actinidia chinensis. Results over 3 years consistently showed that colchicine-induced tetraploids had a significantly lower seed density in transverse sections of fruit, fewer normally filled seeds, and more unfertilized and aborted seeds than their diploid progenitors. The weight of filled seeds of colchicine-induced tetraploids from the commercial gold-fleshed kiwifruit cultivar ‘Hort16A’ was significantly (33%) higher than that of their diploid progenitor. In contrast, the weight of filled seeds from the fruit of colchicine-induced red-fleshed A. chinensis tetraploids was significantly lower than that of their respective diploid progenitors. Seed size may have been related mainly to the availability of pollen from nearby males of the same ploidy. The dry seed coat colour of colchicine-induced tetraploids was brown in comparison to the black seeds of diploids. This is the first time that the reproductive nature of autotetraploid kiwifruit has been systematically characterized. I have shown that chromosome doubling significantly reduces seed numbers and affects seed development inside kiwifruit.

To investigate the distribution of statin therapy correlated gene polymorphism allele CYP2D6*10 (C188T) in Ningxia Hui nationality and to discuss the relationship between the gene polymorphism allele CYP2D6*10 (C188T) and the lipid-lowering efficacy of simvastatin and hyperlipidemia.One hundred and fifty healthy people (80 males and 70 females) and 200 hyperlipidemia patients (105 males and 95 females) were recruited at Ningxia People's Hospital. Genotypes were determined by using allele-specific amplification (ASA-PCR) in 150 healthy controls and 200 patients with hyperlipidemia. Relationships between genotypes and lipid levels and the lipid-lowering efficacy of simvastatin were analyzed.The distribution frequency of the CYP2D6*10 allele was 47.6% in the Ningxia Hui nationality. There was no significant correlation between the CYP2D6*10 allele and hyperlipidemia. At 8 weeks after treatment with simvastatin, total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels were more obviously decreased with the CC genotype than the CT and TT genotypes, with significant differences.Distribution of the gene polymorphism of CYP2D6*10 is ethnically and geographical different. The allele T of CYP2D6*10 is not related to hyperlipidemia. CC expression seemed to increase the lipid-lowering effects of simvastatin. The hyperlipidemia patients with CC genotype should take lower doses of simvastatin than those with CT/TT genotype in the Ningxia Hui population.

The volume weight, compression properties and water absorption character of slag wool fiberboard were studied with sodium silicate as binder. The results show that: the sodium silicate binder can increase the volume weight of the fiberboard, improve the compression properties and water insulation of fiberboard. At the same time, the microscopic morphology of the slag wool fiberboard were observed through SEM, it can be gotten that the fiber is wrapped by sodium silicate binder, and a layer of effective adhesive films is formed on the fiber surface which makes the slag fiberboard have the higher stability at a high temperature.

In order to study the application of fluidized bed process for the gas quenching steel slag(GQSS) slag-iron separation, according to the principles of fluidized bed material separation, based on the all GQSS, this paper researches the influence law of fluidization characteristics and the fluidization performance of GQSS after adding 20% (calculated by volume) iron grains. The experiment uses single hood fluidized bed as experiment device, studies the GQSS and iron grains of critical fluidization and slugging fluidization of other characteristics in the fluidization process, and determinates the packing density in interior and exterior of the tube. The results show that: when the material is all GQSS, the appropriate fluidization thickness of material layer is 300~400mm ; after adding 20% iron grains in the tube, the appropriate fluidization thickness of material layer is 350~400mm. The results of this paper on GQSS slag-iron separation have important theoretical significance.

Tetraploid plants were induced by colchicine treatment of in vitro leaf petiole segment cultures of five diploid Actinidia chinensis Planch. genotypes, including the commercially important, yellow-fleshed cultivar ‘Hort16A’, three female selections with red-fleshed fruit and one male pollinizer. Petiole segments were incubated on a shoot regeneration medium for a period of 4 weeks, and subsequently microshoots were treated with 0.05 or 0.1% colchicine. About one-third of the regenerated shoots were tetraploid following 0.05% colchicine treatment, more than with 0.1% colchicine treatment. Similar rates of tetraploid induction were achieved with all the genotypes tested. The efficiency of induction of polyploidy depended on the interaction between the types of in vitro culture chosen and the concentration of colchicine used. There are no previous reports of colchicine being used so successfully to induce polyploidy in Actinidia.

Factors affecting micropropagation efficiency of 32 selections of Rubus, including the pre-treatment and initiation culture stages, were investigated. Chilling at 4°C for 6 weeks as a pre-treatment significantly promoted in vitro initiation culture; up to 65% of initiation cultures post chilling were successful. The cytokinin 6-benzyladenine (BA) was the most effective of the three tested for promotion of multiple shoot development in culture, with an average of three to seven shoots or plantlets developed from each single node. Alternating the concentration of BA between 4.44 and 13.31 μM from sub-culture to sub-culture improved recalcitrant Rubus micropropagation, and reduced the problems associated with long-term culture in the presence of high concentrations of BA. Reduction of the strength of macro- and micro-elements in the basal medium from half to one-third, with addition of 0.49 μM indole-3-butyric acid and 0.05% activated charcoal, and placing the cultures under reduced light intensity (17 μmol m−2 s−1), was found to alleviate chlorosis and improve micropropagation with high quality Rubus plantlets. Response to in vitro culture differed greatly and consequently different methods of micropropagation were required by different genotypes. From these selections, three types of micropropagation including micro-cutting, micro-shoots and multi-shoots were observed, and their efficiency was characterized.

Protoplast fusion has been used to produce novel allotetraploid hybrids for use as parents in crosses with diploids to produce easy-peel, seedless, triploid citrus cultivars. Forty three plants were produced from fusions between protoplasts of ‘Encore’ mandarin and ‘Valencia’ sweet orange, and of ‘Encore’ and ‘Caffin’ clementine mandarin in which protoplasts of each of the donors were isolated from embryogenic callus. Forty plants were confirmed as tetraploid by flow cytometry and chromosome counting. Three (less than 10% of all regenerants) were non-hybrid diploids. DNA fingerprinting confirmed that both parents contributed DNA to the hybrids, which were therefore allotetraploid. The hybrids showed morphological features typical of other tetraploid citrus, including broad, thick, dark green leaves. However, they grew much faster than colchicine-induced autotetraploids. The allotetraploid hybrids will be used in crosses with the diploid cultivar ‘Encore’ mandarin and other clementine-type mandarins in an effort to generate seedless, triploid, easy-peel cultivars with ‘Encore-type’ flavor.

Objective.Fructus Hordei Germinatusis widely used in treating hyperprolactinemia (hyperPRL) as a kind of Chinese traditional herb in China. In this study, we investigated the anti-hyperPRL activity of water extract ofFructus Hordei Germinatus(WEFHG) and mechanism of action.Methods. Effect of WEFHG on serum prolactin (PRL), estradiol (E2), progesterone (P), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and hypothalamus protein kinase A (PKA) and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels of hyperPRL rats were investigated. And effect of WEFHG on PRL secretion, D2 receptors, and dopamine transporters (DAT) was studied in MMQ, GH3, and PC12 cells, respectively.Results. WEFHG reduced the secretion of PRL in hyperPRL rats effectively. In MMQ cell, treatment with WEFHG at 1–5 mg/mL significantly suppressed PRL secretion and synthesis. Consistent with a D2-action, WEFHG did not affect PRL in rat pituitary lactotropic tumor-derived GH3 cells that lack the D2 receptor expression but significantly increased the expression of D2 receptors and DAT in PC12 cells. In addition, WEFHG reduced the cAMP and PKA levels of hypothalamus in hyperPRL rats significantly.Conclusions. WEFHG showed anti-hyperPRL activity via dopamine D2 receptor, which was related to the second messenger cAMP and PKA.

The study investigated the pharmacodynamism and mechanism of Chinese medicinal formula-Huiru Yizeng Yihao (NO.1 HRYZ) on the model rats of hyperpro-lactinemia and the model rats of hyperplasia of mammary gland (HMG), and studied the internal connection between hyperprolactinemia and HMG.. The hyperprolactinemia rat models were established by injecting metoclopramide dihydrochloride in the back of rats. The model rat of HMG was prepared by injecting estradiol in the thigh muscle of the rats and progesterone consecutively, while the tails of rats were clipped with tongs. Rats were treated with either NO.1 HRYZ or positive control drugs for four weeks. The concentrations of sex hormone in rat serum were examined using ELISA kits, and the morphology of mammary gland tissue in all group rats was observed with microscope. NO.1 HRYZ significantly decreased prolactin (PRL) and increased estradiol (E2), progesterone (P), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) concentrations of hyperprolactinemia rats. It decreased E2, PRL, FSH, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and increased P concentrations of HMG rat. It also eliminated hyperplasia of lobules and gland alveolus compared with the model group. Treatment with NO.1 HRYZ could significantly regulate the sex hormone disorder of hyperprolactinemia and HMG rat models, and could eliminate the formation of HMG. Hyperprolactinemia was closely correlated with HMG, and hyperprolactinemia promoted the formation of HMG.

A series of thin layers of alternating refractive index is known to make a good optical mirror over certain bands of frequency. Such a device - often termed the Bragg reflector - is usually introduced to students within the first years of an undergraduate degree, often in isolation from other parts of the course. Here we show that the basic physics of wave propagation through a stratified medium can be used to illustrate some more modern developments in optics as well as quantum physics; from transfer matrix techniques, to the optical properties of cold trapped atoms, optomechanical cooling, and a simple example of a system exhibiting an appreciable level of optical non-reciprocity., 24 pages, 9 figures

A transformation system was developed for the citrus variety tangelo ( Citrus reticulata Blanco × C. paradisi Macf.) cultivar ‘Page’. Embryogenic cells from suspension cultures were bombarded with tungsten particles coated with plasmid DNA which contained the uid A gene encoding β-glucuronidase (GUS) and the npt II gene conferring kanamycin resistance. More than 600 transient and 15 stable transformants were obtained per bombardment based on the number of GUS expression foci at 1 day and 8 weeks after bombardment. Pretreatment of cells with high osmotic potential (0.3 M sorbitol + 0.3 M mannitol) was found to enhance both transient and stable transformation efficiency. Between 2 and 3 months following bombardment, calli were formed on a medium containing kanamycin (100 mg·l −1 ). The majority of the kanamycin-resistant calli also expressed GUS activity. From these calli, embryos and plantlets were produced. Integration of the uid A and npt II genes into the tangelo genome was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Southern analyses.

To study the effects and mechanism of Aconitum vaginatum on proliferation, invasion and metastasis of human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cell lines.A549 cells were treated with Aconitum vaginatum at different concentrations, and divided into 4 groups: Aconitum vaginatum 0.01, 0.1, 1 mg/mL groups and control group, respectively. MTT assay was used to evaluate cell proliferation; migration and invasion (with matrigel) assay was conducted in the transwell chamber; gelatin zymography was performed to evaluated the impacts of Aconitum vaginatum on matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-9.Aconitum vaginatum exhibited a concentration-dependent inhibitory on proliferation and invasion of A549 cells. Aconitum vaginatum was also found to decrease the activity of MMP-2, MMP-9 in a concentration-dependent manner (P0.05).Aconitum vaginatum can inhibit the proliferation, invasion and metastasis of human adenocarcinoma A549 cell lines, the mechanism maybe deceasing MMP-2, MMP-9 activity.

Fruit of colchicine-induced tetraploids of Actinidia chinensis were 50% to 60% larger than those of their diploid progenitors. In addition to fruit size, fruit quality is a key issue in any commercialization of these autotetraploids. We have made the first detailed study of the effects of chromosome doubling on fruit quality parameters other than size: these attributes include flesh firmness, color, soluble solid content (SSC), dry matter content (DM), vitamin C content, fruit skin thickness, and red pigmentation distribution in red-fleshed kiwifruit. Four selections from colchicine-induced tetraploids from the yellow-fleshed kiwifruit cultivar Hort16A were trialed for the stability of their fruit quality. Analysis of fruit at harvest over 3 years showed that fruit of the induced autotetraploids were significantly softer (lower flesh firmness), had lower DM, and had a less intense golden flesh color than fruit of their diploid progenitor. During development, SSC of fruit of the autotetraploid plants started to increase earlier than in the diploid ‘Hort16A’. This has been confirmed by replicated trials. No difference was found in vitamin C content between fruit of autotetraploids and diploids. Autotetraploids had significantly thicker skins than diploid ‘Hort16A’. Induced autotetraploids from three female genotypes of red-fleshed A. chinensis showed similar trends to autotetraploids of ‘Hort16A’ in fruit flesh firmness and outer pericarp flesh color, DM, SSC, and vitamin C. All the traits analyzed indicated that fruit of the autotetraploid plants matured earlier than those of their diploid progenitors. Furthermore, red pigmentation, one of the most important traits for red-fleshed kiwifruit breeding, showed a reduction in both intensity and distribution in the autotetraploids compared with their diploid progenitors. There was considerable variation among fruit of autotetraploid plants regenerated from each diploid progenitor. Therefore, selection among the regenerants may be required to achieve the best outcome after ploidy manipulation in kiwifruit breeding.