An all-cellulose sponge with a nanofiller-assisted hierarchical cellular structure for fruit maintaining freshness.

Cellulose sponges with compressibility and resilience are an ideal packaging material for fruits with fragile skin. Here, a soft and elastic all-cellulose sponge (CS) with a hierarchical cellular structure was fabricated, where the long molecular chain cellulose constructed major pores, the cellulose at nanoscale acted as an elastic nanofiller to fill the gaps of long molecular chain cellulose fibers and constructed minor pores. With these two kinds of pores, this structure can absorb strain hierarchically. The sponge can protect fruits from mechanical damage when dropped or repeated vibration. Furthermore, the CS modified with chlorogenic acid (C-CGAS) had excellent antibacterial and antifungal abilities. Therefore, C-CGAS could extend the storage time of strawberries to 18 days without any microbial invasion, which is the longest storage time reported thus far. This study provides a new idea for the preparation of polymer sponges and a new design for the development of antimicrobial packaging materials.

Piperonyl-Tethered Rhodanine Derivatives Potently Inhibit Chitinolytic Enzymes of Ostrinia furnacalis.

Insect pest chitinases are potential target for developing new insect growth regulators. Piperine was found first to inhibit the insect chitinase (OfChi-h) from Ostrinia furnacalis (Asian corn borer) in this work, except for previously reported OfChtI. Novel piperonyl-tethered rhodanine derivatives 7a-j were rationally designed with piperine as lead and synthesized by introducing a unique rhodanine moiety into the piperine scaffold based on the similar binding cavity of OfChtI and OfChi-h. Compared to piperine, compounds 7a-j showed approximately 100- to 400-fold or 110- to 210-fold higher inhibitory capacity against two chitinases, respectively. Molecular mechanism studies indicated that π interactions are crucial for improving inhibitory activity against two chitinases due to the introduction of the conjugated rhodanine ring. Moreover, compounds 7a-c could dramatically inhibit the growth and development of O. furnacalis larvae by in vivo activity evaluation. This study provides novel piperonyl-tethered rhodanine derivatives inhibiting dual chitinases as insect growth regulator candidates.

Irisin, an exercise myokine, potently suppresses tumor proliferation, invasion, and growth in glioma.

Glioblastoma multiforme is the most common and aggressive glial tumor with poor prognosis. Importantly, effective treatment options for glioblastoma are unmet needs. Obesity and low physical activity have been linked with a high risk of cancer, and exercise is related to delayed cancer development and progression. Epidemiological studies have revealed a correlation between exercise and the survival rate of patients with glioblastoma. Nevertheless, the mechanisms by which exercise exerts its anticancer effects in glioblastoma remain unclear. Here, we found that irisin, an exercise-induced myokine, induced G2 /M cell cycle arrest and increased p21 levels in glioblastoma cells, leading to the inhibition of cell proliferation. In addition, irisin inhibited glioblastoma cell invasion by upregulating TFPI-2 and even reversed the aggressive tumor phenotype promoted by co-cultivation with cancer-associated adipocytes. Furthermore, irisin retarded xenograft glioblastoma tumor growth, and radiolabeled irisin demonstrated specific tumor-targeting capability in vivo. Therefore, this study identified one potential molecular mechanism by which exercise prevents cancer progression via irisin. Intriguingly, irisin has the potential to be developed as a molecular imaging and therapeutic anticancer agent.

[Trophic niche of medium-form and dwarf-form of purple flying squid Sthenoeuthis oualaniensis in the central and western South China Sea]. / å—æµ·ä¸­è¥¿éƒ¨æµ·åŸŸé¸¢ä¹Œè´¼ä¸­åž‹ç¾¤å’Œå¾®åž‹ç¾¤çš„è¥å »ç”Ÿæ€ä½.

To explore the characteristics of carbon and nitrogen stable isotope and trophic niche between two forms (medium-form and dwarf-form) of the purple flying squid Sthenoteuthis ouala-niensis, we collected samples from the central and western South China Sea in August 2017 to analyze the values of carbon and nitrogen stable isotope and the changes of trophic level for different mantle lengths. We further compared the trophic niche differences of the two forms populations. The results showed that for the medium-form, the δ13C value ranged from -19.54‰ to -18.10‰ and the δ15N value ranged from 7.79‰ to 9.45‰. The average trophic level of medium-form was 2.90 and ranged from 2.72 to 3.21. For the dwarf-form, the δ13C value ranged from -19.69‰ to -18.43‰, and the δ15N value ranged from 8.02‰ to 8.99‰. The average trophic level of the dwarf-form was 2.91 and ranged from 2.79 to 3.08. There were significant differences of δ15N but no differences of δ13C values between the medium-form and dwarf-form of purple flying squid. The mantle length had a significant impact on δ13C and δ15N, with the value of δ15N increasing with the mantle length. The trophic niche breadth and the trophic level of the medium-form purple flying squid were more diverse than those of dwarf-form.

Disparities in utilization of autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation for treatment of multiple myeloma.

Autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (AHCT) is an established therapy for multiple myeloma (MM), with an impact on quality of remission and survival. We analyzed the role of race, ethnicity, sex, and age disparities in AHCT utilization in the United States. We combined MM incidence derived from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results program with transplantation activity reported to the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research for the period of 2005 to 2009 to assess the impact of disparities in AHCT. Utilization (number of transplantations/new cases) was compared between groups using the relative utilization ratio (RUR), defined as [utilization for a given category]/[utilization for the entire population]. Data were obtained from 22,462 actual MM cases and 13,311 AHCT. The age-adjusted RUR was 1.17 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.15 to 1.19) among non-Hispanic Whites (NHW), higher than in non-Hispanic Blacks (NHB) (age-adjusted RUR, .69; 95% CI, .67 to .72; P < .0002), Hispanics (age-adjusted RUR, .64; 95% CI, .60 to .69; P < .002), and Asians (age-adjusted RUR, .65; 95% CI, .58 to .73; P < .0002]. AHCT utilization was higher in men than in women among Hispanics (age-adjusted RUR .72 versus .56, P = .007), but not among NHW, NHB, or Asians. Sex disparity prevents 1.3% of potential AHCTs in patients with MM (10.4% among Hispanics). Racial-ethnic disparities prevent 13.8% of AHCTs (44.7% in Hispanic and Asians, 39.9% in NHBs). Race-ethnicity disparity greatly affects AHCT utilization in MM. Sex disparity plays a lesser role, except among Hispanics. The ongoing decrease in age disparity will continue to drive major increase of AHCT activity. Two-year and 5-year increases in the age of the AHCT population would result in 12% and 32% increases, respectively, in volume of AHCT.

Design, synthesis and fungicidal activity of 11-alkoxyimino-5,6-dihydro-dibenzo[b,e] azepine-6-one derivatives.

BACKGROUND: Macrocyclic compounds with an oxime ether side chain, discovered in Wang's group, showed good fungicidal activity. However, the long synthetic route makes the cost too high for them to be developed further as practical fungicides. Alternative compounds with good fungicidal activity and an easier synthesis than the above-mentioned macrolactams were sought, and a series of 11-alkoxyimino-5,6-dihydro-dibenzo[b,e]azepine-6-one derivatives (4) were designed and bioassayed. RESULTS: The structures were confirmed by (1) H NMR, (13) C NMR and LC-MS. The bioassay showed that about half of the 11-alkoxyimino-5,6-dihydro-dibenzo[b,e]azepine-6-one derivatives (4) displayed good fungicidal activity against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary, with EC50 values <15 µg mL(-1) . 11-(n-Butyloxyimino)-5,6-dihydro-dibenzo[b,e]azepine-6-one (4A-05), 11-(4-nitrobenzyloxyimino)-5,6-dihydro-dibenzo[b,e]azepine-6-one (4A-12) and 11-(2-chloro-6-fluorobenzyloxyimino)-5,6-dihydro-dibenzo[b,e]azepine-6-one (4A-21) displayed excellent fungicidal activity, with EC50 values of <2.5 µg mL(-1) , much better than the commercial fungicide chlorothalonil with an EC50 value of 7.16 µg mL(-1) . In addition, about half of the 11-alkoxyimino-5,6-dihydro-dibenzo[b,e]azepine-6-one derivatives (4) had good fungicidal activity against Botrytis cinerea (De Bary) Whetzel, with EC50 values of <10 µg mL(-1) . 11-(2-Fluorobenzyloxyimino)-5,6-dihydro-dibenzo[b,e]azepine-6-one (4A-16), 11-(3-fluorobenzyloxyimino)-5,6-dihydro-dibenzo[b,e]azepine-6-one (4A-17) and 11-(2-chloro-6-fluorobenzyloxyimino)-5,6-dihydro-dibenzo[b,e]azepine-6-one (4A-21) displayed excellent fungicidal activity, with EC50 values of 3.73, 2.54 and 3.20 µg mL(-1) respectively, comparable with the commercial fungicide procymidon with an EC50 value of 2.45 µg mL(-1) . Their structure-activity relationship is discussed. CONCLUSIONS: The present work demonstrates that the title compounds show promise as fungicides.

[Species diversity and colony characteristics of bumblebees in the Hebei region of North China].

Based on the 1893 specimens collected from Hebei Province, Beijing City, and Tianjin City in 2005-2009, and the specimens deposited in the Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, this paper analyzed the species diversity and colony characteristics of bumblebees in the Hebei region of North China. A total of 32 species belonging to 8 subgenera of Bombus were recorded, with 32 species in Hebei Province, 18 species in Beijing, and 5 species in Tianjin. The bumblebee in Taihang Mountains, Yanshan Mountains, and Bashang Plateau had the highest richness and abundance, and its food-plant included 80 species of 21 families, among which, Compositae, Leguminosae, and Labiatae were most important. Five bumblebee species, i. e., Bombus hypocrita, B. ignitus, B. patagiatus, B. pyrosoma, and B. picipes, had the largest colony, with more than 110 workers, 160 drones, and 30 young queens produced per colony. The success in rearing colonies of each of the 5 species by queens was > 50%, demonstrating that these 5 species had the potential to be mass-reared, with important applied value for crop pollination.

[Role of abdominal obesity in asymptomatic intracranial arterial stenosis: a community-based study].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between abdominal obesity and intracranial artery stenosis and the underlying mechanism. METHODS: By cluster sampling, 1405 adult Han people were selected from the residential communities. Among them, 1035 people conformed to the inclusion criteria. Medical history was documented and body height, body weight, waist circumference, hip circumference and blood pressure were measured. Venous blood samples were collected to detect the serum concentrations of fasting glucose, total cholesterol and triglycerides. Serum nitric oxide (NO) level was determined by cadmium reduction method. Middle cerebral artery stenosis (MCAS) was diagnosed by transcranial Doppler. The SPSS 11.0 software package was used for data analysis. RESULTS: MCA stenosis was found in 66 subjects (6.4%). Univariate analysis showed history of hypertension, history of ischemic heart disease, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure were the risk factors for MCAS and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) was a risk factor only in males. Logistic regression demonstrated history of hypertension was an independent risk factor for MCAS both in males and females (P = 0.011, P = 0.009) and WHR for MCAS only in males (P = 0.030). Among males and females over 55 years old, the NO levels were higher in people with a higher WHR and the difference was statistically significant (P = 0.042, P = 0.016); however the NO levels for people with a varying WHR showed statistically insignificant difference among females under 55 years old (P = 0.228). CONCLUSION: Hypertension and abdominal obesity are important risk factors for MCAS. Endothelial cell dysfunction and an elevated level of oxidative stress may be involved in the atherogenetic mechanism of abdominal obesity while estrogen may play a protective role in it.

Synthesis and herbicidal activity of 12-(aryloxyacyloxyimino)-1,15-pentadecanlactone derivatives.

A series of novel 12-(aryloxyacyloxyimino)-1,15-pentadecanlactone derivatives (3) were synthesized, and their structures including configuration of C=N bond were confirmed by (1)H NMR, elemental analysis and X-ray diffraction analysis. The bioassay showed that some of them exhibited excellent herbicidal activity against Amaranthus tricolor L. The activity of compounds 3 except compounds 3A1-2 was much higher than the commercial herbicide 2,4-D and the activity of about half of compounds 3 was comparable to the commercial herbicide tribenuron-methyl. The further bioassay showed that the representative of compounds 3, 3A1-12, exhibited excellent herbicidal activity not only against dicotyledon, such as Amaranthus tricolor L., Cucumis sativus L., Glycine max L., and Phaseolus radiatus L., but also against monocotyledon, such as Zea mays L. and Oryza sativa L.

Synthesis and fungicidal activity of macrolactams and macrolactones with an oxime ether side chain.

Three series of novel macrolactams and macrolactones--12-alkoxyimino-tetradecanlactam, 12-alkoxyiminopentadecanlactam, and 12-alkoxyiminodecanlactone derivatives (7A, 7B, and 7C)--were synthesized from corresponding 12-oxomacrolactams and 12-oxomacrolactone. Their structures were confirmed by 1H NMR and elemental analysis. The Z and E isomers of 7A and 7B were separated, and their configurations were determined by 1H NMR. These compounds showed fair to excellent fungicidal activities against Rhizoctonia solani Kühn. It is interesting that the Z and E isomers of most of the compounds have quite different fungicidal activities. The fact that the compounds have a gradual increase of fungicidal activity in the order of 7A, 7C, and 7B indicated that the macrocyclic derivatives with a hydrogen-bonding acceptor (=N-O-) and a hydrogen-bonding donor (-CONH-) on the ring, and a three methylenes distance (CH2CH2CH2) between these two functional groups, exhibited the best fungicidal activity. The bioassay also showed that 7B not only has good fungicidal activity but also may have a broad spectrum of fungicidal activities.

[Study on the correlation between hypertension and the indexes of vascular endothelial function among people living in the community].

OBJECTIVE: To study the features of hypertension and vessel endothelium functional parameter in people living at the community level as well as the risk factors of hypertension. Differences of angiotensin II (Ang II ), prostacyclin (PGI2) and nitric oxide (NO) among normal group and three hypertension groups were also studied. METHODS: By cluster sampling, 1134 adult Han people were selected from the residential communities. Medical history was documented and measurements of body height, body weight, waist circumference, hip circumference and blood pressure were performed. Serum NO levels were determined by cadmium reduction method while plasma Ang II and PGI2 concentration were determined by radioimmunoassay. SPSS 13.0 was used for data analysis. RESULTS: The total ratio of hypertension from people living at the community was 44.5%, with the standardized prevalence of hypertension as 15.3%. With the increase of age, the prevalence of hypertension also increased. Overweight and obesity seemed to be independent risk factors for hypertension. History of smoking and drinking and gender did not enter the logistic equation for hypertension. The amount of plasma Ang II concentration of the three hypertension groups was significantly lower than that in the normal group while the lowest group appeared to from the one that hypertension was under control. The NO and PGI2 levels of the two groups whose hypertension had been known were significantly higher than in the normal group while the difference between the group whose hypertension had not been measured and the normal group was not found. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of hypertension had been increasing. Control of body weight seemed to be a useful way for prevention of hypertension. We assumed that the negative feedback regulation of renin-angiotonin-aldosterone system in hypertension patient still existed which called for the research on the mechanism of hypertension.

[Risk factors of middle cerebral artery stenosis in Foshan community, Guangdong province: a longitudinal study].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the risk factors of middle cerebral artery stenosis (MCAS) in a dynamic manner so as to supply evidence to help prevent cerebral stroke based on the results of epidemiological study. METHODS: 2500 residents were sampled randomly from the residents of Rongqi town and underwent questionnaire survey, physical examination, transcranial Doppler sonography (TCD), and detection of plasma homocysteine (Hcy) in 2002, and 1068 of them that conformed with the criteria: (1) without symptoms of brain ischemia, (2) with temporal window to conduct TCD, and (3) having undergone the questionnaire survey and blood biochemical examination, were enrolled for lone-term study. In 2006 844 of the 1068 residents remained, 277 males and 567 females, aged 60 +/- 10 (12.5 - 88) who still conformed to the criteria. Based on the results of TCD examination of MCA the residents were divided into two groups, MCAS group and non-MCAS group. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: The morbidity of MCAS of the asymptomatic residents was 2.73% in 2002 and 4.62% in 2006. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that history of diabetes mellitus (GM) and hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) were the risk factors of MCAS based on the data of 2002. But, 4 years later, history of hypertensive disease, coronary heart disease (CHD), diabetes mellitus and HHcy were the risk factors and marriage status was also a factor. The changes of coronary heart disease, DM and BMI were the risk factors of MCAS. CONCLUSION: MCAS exists in the asymptomatic residents. History of hypertensive disease, DM, CHD and HHcy are the risk factors of MCAS Heart attack and changes of body weight contributed to MCAS.

[The analysis of plasma homocysteine among 1020 residents in community].

OBJECTIVE: To study the plasma homocysteine (Hcy) distributive characteristics in different sex and age groups of the community residents in Guangdong, and to analyze its associated factors as well as its effects on cerebral artery stenosis. METHODS: In this study, we presented data concerning 2500 residents who had undergone a systematic health checkup,including clinical and biologic examinations. Plasma was saved from 1020 residents who were asymptomatic but having TCD examination. Hcy concentration was measured by fluorescence ration biochemical assay kit. RESULTS: The average plasma Hcy levels of males (15.0 micromol/L+/-5.8 micromol/L) were significantly higher than those of females (12.4 micromol/L-I 3.9 micromol/L, P< 0.05). Hcy level increased parallel with age. The prevalence rate of hyperhomocysteinemia in males (47.2%) was higher than in females (23.2%). Hcy levels in MCA stenosis group (18.3 micromol/L+ 5.3 micromol/L) were significantly higher than that in control group (12.9 micromol/L+/- 4.6 micromol/L, P< 0.05). Based on logistic regression analysis, Hcy was only associated with sex and age, but not with blood lipids etc. CONCLUSION: Hcy levels were different in sex and age groups which emerged as independent predictors of hyperhomocysteinemia but had no association with blood lipids in the community residents, suggesting that hyperhomocysteinemia might worsen cerebral artery stenosis.

[Analysis on data gathered from transcranial Doppler among 1500 normal adults community].

OBJECTIVE: To study the rates of receiving doppler signal, flow velocity of cerebral artery and the relationship between flow velocity,age and gender in normal adults in China. METHODS: A total of 1500 normal residents at the community level in Guangdong province were examined, using transcranial doppler. Data was gathered and analyzed. RESULTS: With the increase of age, the rate of receiving signal in cerebral artery gradually decreased. Difference between males and females was noticed. Mean velocity of cerebral artery decreased in both genders but the velocity was faster in females than in males and the pulsate index increased without difference. CONCLUSION: The rates of receiving signal and the flow velocity of cerebral artery were related to age and gender and the findings from this study offered criterion for clinical transcranial doppler.