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This research was carried out to determine the influences of cigarette smoking and the hypoglycemic effects of Phellinus vaninii Ljup polysaccharide (PS) on STZ (streptozotocin)-induced severe hyperglycemia maternal rats, as well as the postnatal development of their offspring. The polysaccharide was administered orally and the cigarette smoke (CS) exposure was performed daily for four weeks. The food efficiency ratio, food intake, body weight gain, organ weights, and blood glucose level were tested for the maternal rats, and the body weight and glucose tolerance tests were evaluated for their offspring. It was found that cigarette smoke exposure did not worsen hyperglycemia in maternal rats. In comparison with the control group, P. vaninii Ljup polysaccharide could obviously lower the blood glucose levels and increase the food efficiency ratio of maternal rats, and can help prevent disorders in offspring. In addition, in comparison with the CS exposure group, the polysaccharide also exhibited protective effects that decreased the blood glucose levels and enhanced the food efficiency ratio of maternal rats, which also reduced the blood glucose levels in their offspring at 32 weeks of age. These results suggested that P. vaninii Ljup polysaccharide could be potentially used to treat hyperglycemia in diabetic patients.

A water-soluble polysaccharide (GLP-2) was isolated and purified from Ganoderma lucidum by the microwave-assisted freeze-thaw method. Microwave-assisted rapid thawing treatment can greatly improve the extraction yield of polysaccharides. The chemical structure of GLP-2 was analyzed with FT-IR, HPLC, GC-MS, and NMR spectrometry. It was proved that GLP-2 is mainly composed of β-1,3-glucose and β-1,6-glucose. The chain conformation of GLP-2 was analyzed by SEC-MALLS-RI, indicating that GLP-2 adopts semi-rigid chain conformation. Its molecular weight is 16.7 × 104, and its molecular size is about 61.2 nm. MTT assay indicated that GLP-2 was non-toxic to RAW 264.7 cells in vitro. The results of anti-inflammatory studies showed that GLP-2 can inhibit the production of NO, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in RAW 264.7 macrophage stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The above data showed that the extraction method used in this study can obtain a high-yield polysaccharide with anti-inflammatory activity.

An alkali-extracted polysaccharide (HY-B) was isolated and purified from Dioscorea opposita Thunb. (Huai Yam). Its chemical structure was analyzed with FT-IR, GC-MS and 1 D, 2 D-NMR spectrometry. It was proved that HY-B is mainly composed of ��-1,4-linked glucose, which is similar to starch, but the starch-iodine color test proved that it was not starch. The chain conformation of HY-B was analyzed by SEC-MALLS-RI and TEM, indicated that HY-B exists in a random coil conformation. Its molecular weight is 18.7 kDa, and the molecular size is about 100 nm. MTT assays indicated that HY-B was nontoxic to RAW 264.7 cells in vitro. The results of anti-inflammatory studies showed that HY-B could inhibit the production of NO and TNF-�� in RAW 264.7 macrophage stimulated by lipopolysaccharides (LPSs). This work provided the important information about the anti-inflammatory active component of Huai Yam and its potential applications in the food and health industries.

Myrothecol A (1), a rare 10,13-cyclo macrocyclic trichothecene, and two known compounds (2 and 3) were isolated from the fungus Myrothecium roridum, which was obtained from the gut of a locust Atractomorpha sinensis Bolivar. Their structures and absolute configurations were determined through HRESIMS (high resolution electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy), NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance), ECD (electronic circular dichroism), and Mo2(OCOCH3)4-induced ECD experiments. Compounds 1−3 exhibited potent cytotoxic effects against human tumor cell lines MGC803 and NCI-H1975 with IC50 values between 68 nM and 28.72 μM. These results suggested that macrocyclic trichothecenes could be a kind of potential precursors for the anti-cancer drug development.

The low gain avalanche detectors (LGADs) are thin sensors with fast charge collection which in combination with internal gain deliver an outstanding time resolution of about 30 ps. High collision rates and consequent large particle rates crossing the detectors at the upgraded Large Hadron Collider (LHC) in 2028 will lead to radiation damage and deteriorated performance of the LGADs. The main consequence of radiation damage is loss of gain layer doping (acceptor removal) which requires an increase of bias voltage to compensate for the loss of charge collection efficiency and consequently time resolution. The Institute of High Energy Physics (IHEP), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) has developed a process based on the Institute of Microelectronics (IME), CAS capability to enrich the gain layer with carbon to reduce the acceptor removal effect by radiation. After 1 MeV neutron equivalent fluence of 2.5$\times$10$^{15}$ n$_{eq}$/cm$^{2}$, which is the maximum fluence to which sensors will be exposed at ATLAS High Granularity Timing Detector (HGTD), the IHEP-IME second version (IHEP-IMEv2) 50 $μ$m LGAD sensors already deliver adequate charge collection > 4 fC and time resolution < 50 ps at voltages < 400 V. The operation voltages of these 50 $μ$m devices are well below those at which single event burnout may occur.

The utilization of heterosis (or hybrid vigor) is a revolutionary technology in agricultural. However, its genetic mechanisms are still unclear in plants. Here we develop, sequence and record the phenotypes of 418 hybrids from crosses between two testers and a diverse mini core collection. Phenotypic analysis showed that heterosis is an extensive but not necessary phenomenon, which varied by combinations and environments. Evidence from both GWAS on the 418 hybrids and their parents and transcriptomics of the traditional rice hybrid Liangyoupei 9, indicated that dominance and overdominance are the main genetic contributions to heterosis. Furthermore, cumulation or complementation of repulsive genetic factors may account for 37.8% of the overdominant QTL and nearly half of the genes with overdominant expression pattern. We systematically compared non-additive and additive factors and observed a common phenomenon that non-additive factors are more sensitive to background than that of additive ones across species, phenotypes, QTLs and transcription levels, further evidence from both simulations and experiment demonstrated a novel universal molecular mechanism underlying heterosis, i.e. homo-insufficiency under insufficient background (HoIIB), which expounds that heterosis in most cases is not the heterozygote advantage but the homozygote disadvantage under the insufficient genetic background. The HoIIB model can explain most known hypotheses and phenomena about heterosis, thus provides a novel theory for future hybrid rice breeding.

Two novel kojic acid derivatives, kojicones A and B (1 and 2), along with the precursors kojic acid (3) and (2R,4R)-4-hydroxy-5-methoxy-2,4-dimethyl-2- [(2R)-2-methylbutyryloxy]-5-cyclohexen-1,3-dione (4), were isolated from a fungal strain Aspergillus versicolor. Their structures and absolute configurations were accurately confirmed by HRESIMS data, NMR analysis, and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. Kojicones A and B were the first examples of kojic acid adducts with cyclohexen-1,3-dione possessing unprecedented tricycle skeletons. Compounds 1–3 were found to have inhibition on the NO production of murine RAW 264.7 cells. They can also reduce the mRNA expression of four cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, and iNOS) and promote the expression of IL-4 at 20 μM. Moreover, kojic acid (3) could treat the DSS (dextran sulfate sodium)-induced colitis on mice with the effectiveness similar to that of the positive control. The results suggested that kojic acid and its derivatives could be a promising anti-inflammatory source for the medicinal and cosmetic industry.

Three new macrocyclic trichothecenes possessing rare 6′-ketal moieties, roridoxins A–C (1–3), and five known compounds (4–8) were isolated from the insect-associated fungus Myrothecium roridum. Their structures were confirmed by a combination of NMR and HRESIMS data, while their absolute configurations were unambiguously determined by single-crystal X-ray analysis and electronic circular dichroism experiments. Trichothecenes 1 and 3 showed potent antifungal activities against four strains of phytopathogenic fungi. In addition, 1, 3, 5, and 6 were found to significantly inhibit the cell growth of Candida albicans with minimal inhibitory concentration values from 8.8 to 18.5 μg/mL. Moreover, they were able to inhibit the biofilm formation of C. albicans better than the positive control.

We report precise TCAD simulations of IHEP-IME-v1 Low Gain Avalanche Diode (LGAD) calibrated by secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS). Our setup allows us to evaluate the leakage current, capacitance, and breakdown voltage of LGAD, which agree with measurements' results before irradiation. And we propose an improved LGAD Radiation Damage Model (LRDM) which combines local acceptor removal with global deep energy levels. The LRDM is applied to the IHEP-IME-v1 LGAD and able to predict the leakage current well at -30 $^{\circ}$C after an irradiation fluence of $ \Phi_{eq}=2.5 \times 10^{15} ~n_{eq}/cm^{2}$. The charge collection efficiency (CCE) is under development.

Low Gain Avalanche Diode (LGAD) is applied for the High-Granularity Timing Detector (HGTD), and it will be used to upgrade the ATLAS experiment. The first batch IHEP-IME LGAD sensors were designed by the Institute of High Energy Physics (IHEP) and fabricated by the Institute of Microelectronics (IME). Three IHEP-IME sensors (W1, W7 and W8) were irradiated by the neutrons up to the fluence of 2.5 x 10^15 n_eq/cm^2 to study the effect of the shallow carbon and deep N++ layer on the irradiation hardness. Taking W7 as a reference, W1 has an extra shallow carbon applied, and W8 has a deeper N++ layer., Comment: This work has been submitted to the IEEE for possible publication. Copyright may be transferred without notice, after which this version may no longer be accessible

The performances of Low Gain Avalanche diode (LGAD) sensors from a neutron irradiation campaign with fluences of 0.8 x 10^15, 15 x 10^15 and 2.5 x 10^15 neq/cm2 are reported in this article. These LGAD sensors are developed by the Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Novel Device Laboratory for the High Granularity Timing Detector of the High Luminosity Large Hadron Collider. The timing resolution and collected charge of the LGAD sensors were measured with electrons from a beta source. After irradiation with a fluence of 2.5 x 10^15 neq/cm2, the collected charge decreases from 40 fC to 7 fC, the signal-to-noise ratio deteriorates from 48 to 12, and the timing resolution increases from 29 ps to 39 ps.

This paper shows the simulation and test results of 50um thick Low Gain Avalanche Detectors (LGAD) sensors designed by the Institute of High Energy Physics (IHEP) and fabricated by the Institute of Microelectronics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (IME). Three wafers have been produced with four different gain layer implant doses each. Different production processes, including variation in the n++ layer implant energy and carbon co-implantation were used. Test results show that the IHEP-IME sensors with the higher dose of gain layer have lower breakdown voltages and higher gain layer voltages from capacitance-voltage properties, which are consistent with the TCAD simulation. Beta test results show that the time resolution of IHEP-IME sensors is better than 35ps when operated at high voltage and the collected charges of IHEP-IME sensors are larger than 15fC before irradiation, which fulfill the required specifications of sensors before irradiations for the ATLAS HGTD project., 11 pages,8 figures

In this study, the effects of Tween 40 and ethanol supplementation on the secretion, structure and antioxidant activities of exopolysaccharide (EPS) from Inonotus rickii were investigated. It was observed that Tween 40 and ethanol displayed a stimulatory effect on EPS secretion. The EPSs obtained by the addition of Tween 40 (EPS-T), ethanol (EPS-E) and control (EPS-C) were purified by Sepharose CL-6B gel chromatography and molecular weights of EPS-T, EPS-E and EPS-C were estimated to be 22.1, 30.0, and 40.5 kDa, respectively. Monosaccharide composition analysis indicated that EPS-T, EPS-E and EPS-C were mainly composed of mannose and glucose. Furthermore, EPS-E exhibited better OH• and DPPH scavenging activities than those of EPS-C and EPS-T, which might be associated with its molecular characterization.

A new polysaccharides fraction (PSF) was isolated from the extraction of flue-cured tobacco stem with hot water and purified through ethanol precipitation, deproteinization and Sepharose CL-6B colu...

In this study, several surfactant and organic solvents were supplied to enhance the production of polysaccharides (EPSs) from Scorias spongiosa. The EPSs were purified by Sepharose CL-6B gel filtra...

The effect on different three carbon source (i.e. glucose, fructose and sucrose) on production, chemical characterization and antioxidant activity of exopolysaccharide (EPS) produced by Phellinus vaninii Ljup was investigated in this study. Amongst carbon sources examined, glucose and sucrose were favorable for the mycelia growth, while the maximum EPS yield was achieved when sucrose was employed. The predominant carbohydrate compositions in EPSs identified were gluconic acid, glucose, mannose and galactose acid. Then, FT-IR spectral analysis revealed prominent characteristic groups in EPSs. EPSs molecule exist as nearly globular shape form in aqueous solution. The variation also affects antioxidant activities by investigated by using hydroxyl and DPPH radical scavenging assay. Sucrose was best carbon source from the viewpoint of antioxidant activity due to the relatively high contents of galactose in the EPS with moderate molecular weight and polydispersity.Key words: Phellinus vaninii

The effects of different three carbon sources, that is, glucose, fructose, and sucrose, on production, molecular properties and antiproliferative activity of exopolysaccharide (EPS), were evaluated in the submerged culture of Scleroderma areolatum Ehrenb. Among carbon sources examined, the addition of sucrose maximizes the mycelia production, while fructose could maximize the EPS yield. Although the predominant carbohydrate compositions identified were gluconic acid and mannose, the monosaccharide composition of EPSs was also different significantly. FT-IR spectral analysis revealed there was no significant difference among the prominent characteristic groups in three EPSs. The molecular weight of EPSs was also affected by carbon source, being generally lower compared with that with glucose. However, all EPSs molecule existed as nearly globular shape form in aqueous solution. The variation of carbon sources also affected antiproliferative activity examined in vitro using cell proliferation assay. Fructose was optimal carbon source giving higher antiproliferative activity probably due to the relatively high contents of xylose in the EPS with low molecular weight.

Polysaccharides are ideal green synthetic raw materials to improve the biocompatibility of metal nanoparticles. However, polysaccharides generally have weak reducibilities, being challenging supports for the direct preparation of Ag nanoparticles. In this work, gold nanoclusters were prepared using a triple helix glucan (Lentinan) via microwave-assisted synthesis and subsequently employed as seeds for the synthesis of a series of Ag-Au alloy nanoparticles (Ag-AuNPs). The results showed that gold nanoclusters can remarkably speed up the preparation of Ag-AuNPs without the addition of any other chemicals. The particle size of Ag-AuNPs increased at increasing Ag contents in the alloy. Results of UV-vis, transmission electron microscope (TEM) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) suggested that Ag+ was quickly reduced to irregular silver nanoparticles (with gold nanoparticles as seeds), then gradually form more regular nano-alloys. Additionally, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and zeta potential results suggested that Ag-AuNPs could entrap the hydrophobic cavity of triple helix polysaccharides during the renaturation process. The nanocomposites exhibited good antifungal activity and low cytotoxicity to RAW264.7, Hela and LO2 cell lines in vitro.

In this investigation we developed an optimal fermentation medium to produce an exopolysaccharide (EPS) with antioxidant activity from Rigidoporus microporus. Lactose and tryptone were chosen as the optimal carbon and nitrogen sources, respectively, for EPS production, with a 6-day cultivation cycle. After removing proteins through the use of the Sevag method, one EPS fraction was purified from the culture filtrates by gel filtration chromatography on a Sepharose CL-6B column. The preliminary chemical structure of the EPS fraction was determined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and nuclear magnetic resonance. The results indicated that the main structure of the EPS consisted of β-glucopyranose and mannopyranose. Furthermore, conformational parameters such as molecular weight (Mw), intrinsic viscosity ([η]), mean-square radii of gyration (Rg), and hydrodynamic radius (Rh) of the EPS were characterized using a size exclusion chromatography-multiangle light scattering-refractive index viscometry method. It showed that the EPS was a kind of water-soluble polysaccharide with a moderate molecular weight (34.1 × 104) and a flexible, linear random coil chain structure. The antioxidant activity tests suggested that the EPS has great potential application as a natural antioxidant material in foods and medicines.

Two new compounds, versicolones A and B (1 and 2), and three known pyrone derivatives (3−5) were isolated from the insect-associated fungus Aspergillus versicolor. Their structures were elucidated through a combination of HRESIMS and NMR spectroscopic analysis. Versicolone A (1) was revealed as a coumarin derivative with the rare 5-alkyl side chain substitution. Compound 5 exhibited significant antioxidant activity with EC50 value of 8.0 μM in the ABTS (2,2-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) assay, which was more than 2-fold potency of the positive control trolox.

We report on a green procedure for the stabilization of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) by a naturally occurring β-glucan with triple helical conformation known as Lentinan (t-LNT) in water after denaturing into single chains (s-LNT) at 140 °C. The results demonstrated that the s-LNT can interact with SeNPs through Se-O-H interaction. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectra, UV/vis, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) showed that s-LNT coated SeNPs to form a stable nano-composite Se/s-LNT, leading to good dispersion of SeNPs. Especially, the as-prepared Se/s-LNT composite in the solution could remain homogeneous and translucent for 30 days without any precipitates. Different size distribution of SeNPs was prepared by simply controlling the concentrations of selenite sodium and the corresponding reducing agent ascorbic acid. The size effect of SeNPs on anti-tumor activity was revealed that the SeNPs with more evenly particle size distribution show the higher anticancer activity.

The optimization, purification, and characterization of exopolysaccharide (EPS) from Climacodon septentrionalis were investigated. The results showed that the optimal incubation time was 8 days for EPS production by C. septentrionalis; maltose and soy extract were the best carbon and nitrogen sources, respectively. One kind of EPS fraction was purified; it had a molecular weight of about 3.4 × 10(5) Da and mainly comprised glucose (98%). The main structure of EPS is α-glucopyranose. In addition, the EPS showed good antioxidant properties in vitro. The thermal stability of EPS also was investigated, and the results suggest that to maintain its bioactivity the processing temperature of EPS should not be more than 200°C. The structural characteristics of EPS, such as molecular weight, functional groups, monosaccharide constituents, and configuration of the glycosidic bond give EPS great potential for application as a natural antioxidant material in health, food, and therapeutics.

We report on a green procedure for the synthesis and stabilization of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) from chlorauric acid (HAuCl4) with the use of a β-glucan known as Lentinan (LNT) without external reducing or stabilizing agents in aqueous medium. LNT adopted triple helical conformation in water, which was first denatured into single chains (s-LNT) at a high temperature of 140 °C before mixing with HAuCl4. Results from UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectra suggested that AuCl4(-) was rapidly reduced to AuNPs by s-LNT. Moreover, the as-prepared AuNPs could be converted into nanobelt, spherical nanoparticles, and nanowire morphology simply by controlling the s-LNT concentration, reaction time, and temperature. In particular, the AuNPs nanowire was confirmed as the most stable shape in water, which was predominately ascribed to the hydrophobic cavity in the helical center of the renatured triple helical LNT (r-LNT) from s-LNT. Namely, AuNPs were entrapped in the hydrophobic cavity of r-LNT to form nanowire with an outer layer of water-soluble r-LNT, leading to stable dispersion of AuNPs. All the data demonstrated that the β-glucan of s-LNT can be used as a reducing and stabilizing agent to synthesize and disperse AuNPs in water. The whole process of reduction and stabilization was free of organic solvent and thus very safe, which is important for the potential application of AuNPs in biotechnology and biomedicine.

Single-chain Lentinan (s-LNT) was found to efficiently disperse single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT) in water. Raman spectroscopy, atomic force aicroscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy demonstrated the formation of SWNTs/s-LNT composites through hydrogen-bonding and hydrophobic interactions between SWNTs and s-LNT. When adding DMSO or NaOH into the aqueous solution of SWNTs/s-LNT, SWNTs precipitated out, suggesting that hydrogen-bonding was broken and SWNTs were released from the composites. More interestingly, helical wrapping structures of s-LNT on the surface of SWNTs were observed by AFM and HRTEM. It can be explained as follows: the water-soluble s-LNT chains wrapped on the surface of hydrophobic SWNTs in a helical manner, endowing the water-solubility of SWNTs. Moreover, the SWNTs/s-LNT remarkably improved the cell viability in contrast to SWNTs in vitro test. This work provided an alternative method by which hydrophobic SWNTs were successfully dispersed in water by the water-soluble beta-glucan LNT in a helical wrapping manner, which also enlarged the applications of LNT.

Background: Phellinus vaninii, a medicinal basidiomycete fungus, is often confused with Phellinus igniarius and Phellinus linteus. Polysaccharides extract from P. igniarius and P. linteus are reported to stimulate humoral immunity and inhibit tumor growth However, available literature reviewed no information on the relationship between bioactivities and structures of polysaccharides from the fruit body of P. vaninii. Methods: Two water-soluble polysaccharides (PV-W, PV-B) were isolated and purified from fruiting bodies of P. vaninii by hot water and sodium hydroxide solution, respectively. The chemical structures of PV-W, PV-B were analyzed by FT-IR, GC-MS analysis and 13C NMR spectra. And, their molecular conformations were analyzed by viscosity method and SEC-MALLS-RI. Finally, their inhibition of cancer cells was investigated using MTT assay. Results: The results illustrated that PV-W was a heteropolysaccharide, mainly composed of mannose, glucose, arabinose and galactose. PV-B was a β-1, 3-D-glucan branched with β-1, 6-D-glucose. The results of viscometry proved that PV-W and PV-B could be molecularly dispersed in water without aggregation. The results of SECMALLS- RI indicated that the two polysaccharides had the similar Mw but different molecular conformation. That is, PV-W existed as a stable globular shape, while PV-B presented a more expanded flexible random coils conformation. MTT assay indicated that PV-B showed higher inhibition effect on HepG2 and HeLa cells than PV-W in vitro. Conclusion: This work provided the important information of active components from P. vaninii and its potential applications in the food and medicine industry.

Novel protein-based nanocomposites were well prepared by in vivo synthesis and coprecipitation of soy protein isolate (SPI) with calcium carbonate (CaCO 3 ) in an aqueous solution. The resultant CaCO 3 in the nanocomposites was identified as calcite- and aragonite-type, respectively. The morphology and structure of the CaCO 3 /SPI composites were investigated by means of wide-angle X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectra, scanning electron microscopy, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The results revealed that the polymorph and the size of CaCO 3 in the nanocomposites were dependent on its content, pH, and the conformation of soy protein. At the content of more than 5%, CaCO 3 was changed into calcite crystal with the preference of growing along (104) plane. However, at lower content of less than 5%, CaCO 3 preferred to form aragonite in the composite as a result of the modulation by soy protein. The aragonite nanocrystals were arrayed in the direction of (111) plane and self-assembled along β-sheet planes of soy protein polypeptides. The mechanical properties, thermal stability, and water resistance of the CaCO 3 /SPI nanocomposites were significantly improved as a result of the nanosized effects. Interestingly, the aragonite/SPI nanocomposite exhibited higher tensile strength (about 50 MPa) than that of calcite/SPI, owing to a good compatibility and strong interaction between aragonite and soy protein polypeptides. This work provided a simple pathway to develop the soy protein-based bio-hybrid materials with high mechanical strength and valuable information on their structure - properties relationship.