Effects of postponing nitrogen topdressing on starch structural properties of superior and inferior grains in hybrid indica rice cultivars with different taste values.

Introduction: Nitrogen (N) fertilizer management, especially postponing N topdressing can affect rice eating quality by regulating starch quality of superior and inferior grains, but the details are unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of N topdressing on starch structure and properties of superior and inferior grains in hybrid indica rice with different tastes and to clarify the relationship between starch structure, properties, and taste quality. Methods: Two hybrid indica rice varieties, namely the low-taste Fyou 498 and high-taste Shuangyou 573, were used as experimental materials. Based on 150 kg·N hm-2, three N fertilizer treatments were established: zero N (N0), local farmer practice (basal fertilizer: tillering fertilizer: panicle fertilizer=7:3:0) (N1), postponing N topdressing (basal fertilizer: tillering fertilizer: panicle fertilizer=3:1:6) (N2). Results: The starch granules of superior grains were more complete, and the decrease in small granules content and the stability of starch crystals were a certain extent less than those of inferior grains. Compared with N1, under N2, low-taste and high-taste varieties large starch granules content were significantly reduced by 6.89%, 0.74% in superior grains and 4.26%, 2.71% in inferior grains, the (B2 + B3) chains was significantly reduced by 1.61%, 0.98% in superior grains, and 1.18%, 0.97% in inferior grains, both reduced the relative crystallinity and 1045/1022 cm-1, thereby decreasing the stability of the starch crystalline region and the orderliness of starch granules. N2 treatment reduced the ΔHgel of two varieties. These changes ultimately contributed to the enhancement of the taste values in superior and inferior grains in both varieties, especially the inferior grains. Correlation analysis showed that the average starch volume diameter (D[4,3]) and relative crystallinity were significantly positively correlated with the taste value of superior and inferior sgrains, suggesting their potential use as an evaluation index for the simultaneous enhancement of the taste value of rice with superior and inferior grains. Discussion: Based on 150 kg·N hm-2, postponing N topdressing (basal fertilizer: tillering fertilizer: panicle fertilizer=3:1:6) promotes the enhancement of the overall taste value and provides theoretical information for the production of rice with high quality.

Three-step cascaded artificial light-harvesting systems with tunable efficiency based on metallacycles.

It is still challenging to develop multi-step cascaded artificial light-harvesting systems (ALHSs) with tunable efficiency. Here, we designed novel cascaded ALHSs with AIE-active metallacycles as the light-harvesting antenna, Eosin Y (ESY) and sulforhodamine 101 (SR101) as conveyors, near-infrared emissive chlorin-e6 (Ce6) as the final acceptor. The close contact and fair spectral overlap between donor and acceptor molecules at each level ensured the efficient sequential three-step energy transfer. The excited energy was sequentially and efficiently funneled to Ce6 along the cascaded line MTPEPt1 â†’ ESY â†’ SR101 â†’ Ce6. Additionally, a unique strategy for regulating the efficiency of ALHS was illustrated by adjusting hydrophilic and hydrophobic interactions.

ZIP Genes Are Involved in the Retransfer of Zinc Ions during the Senescence of Zinc-Deficient Rice Leaves.

Rice lacks sufficient amounts of zinc despite its vitality for human health. Leaf senescence enables redistribution of nutrients to other organs, yet Zn retransfer during deficiency is often overlooked. In this hydroponic experiment, we studied the effect of Zn deficiency on rice seedlings, focusing on the fourth leaf under control and deficient conditions. Growth phenotype analysis showed that the growth of rice nodal roots was inhibited in Zn deficiency, and the fourth leaf exhibited accelerated senescence and increased Zn ion transfer. Analyzing differentially expressed genes showed that Zn deficiency regulates more ZIP family genes involved in Zn ion retransfer. OsZIP3 upregulation under Zn-deficient conditions may not be induced by Zn deficiency, whereas OsZIP4 is only induced during Zn deficiency. Gene ontology enrichment analysis showed that Zn-deficient leaves mobilized more biological pathways (BPs) during aging, and the enrichment function differed from that of normal aging leaves. The most apparent "zinc ion transport" BP was stronger than that of normal senescence, possibly due to Zn-deficient leaves mobilizing large amounts of BP related to lipid metabolism during senescence. These results provide a basis for further functional analyses of genes and the study of trace element transfer during rice leaf senescence.

Improving the yield and nitrogen use efficiency of hybrid rice through rational use of controlled-release nitrogen fertilizer and urea topdressing.

Introduction: Controlled-release fertilizers effectively improve crop yield and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). However, their use increases the cost of crop production. Optimal management modes involving urea replacement with controlled-release N fertilizers to increase rice yield through enhanced NUE are not widely explored. Methods: Field experiments were conducted from 2017 to 2018 to determine the effects of different controlled-release N fertilizers combined with urea [urea-N (180 kg ha-1, N1)]. We used controlled-release N (150 kg ha-1, N2) as the base, and four controlled-release N and urea-N ratio treatments [(80%:0% (N3), 60%:20% (N4), 40%:40% (N5), or 20%:60% (N6) as the base with 20% urea-N as topdressing at the panicle initiation stage under 150 kg ha-1] to study their impact on the grain yield and NUE of machine-transplanted rice. Results and discussion: Grain yield and NUE were positively correlated with increases in photosynthetic production, flag leaf net photosynthetic rate (Pn), root activity, N transport, and grain-filling characteristics. The photosynthetic potential and population growth rate from the jointing to the full-heading stage, highly effective leaf area index (LAI) rate and Pn at the full-heading stage, root activity at 15 d after the full-heading stage, and N transport in the leaves from the full-heading to mature stage were significantly increased by the N4 treatment, thereby increasing both grain yield and NUE. Furthermore, compared with the other N treatments, the N4 treatment promoted the mean filling rate of inferior grains, which is closely related to increased filled grains per spikelet and filled grains rate. These effects ultimately improved the grain yield (5.03-25.75%), N agronomic efficiency (NAE, 3.96-17.58%), and N partial factor productivity (NPP, 3.98-27.13%) under the N4 treatment. Thus, the N4 treatment with controlled-release N (60%) and urea-N (20%) as a base and urea-N (20%) as topdressing at the panicle-initiation stage proved effective in improving the grain yield and NUE of machine-transplanted hybrid indica rice. These findings offer a theoretical and practical basis for enhancing rice grain yield, NUE, and saving the cost of fertilizer.

Preoperative pelvic floor muscle exercise for continence after radical prostatectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effect of preoperative pelvic floor muscle exercise on urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy. Methods: We searched the literature for randomized controlled trials evaluating the diagnostic analysis of preoperative pelvic floor muscle exercise (PFME) and postprostatectomy incontinence in the MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), PsycINFO, China Biomedical Literature Database, China Journal Full-text Database, Wanfang Database and Weipu Database. The retrieval time limit is from the establishment of the database to January 2023. We used a risk ratio with accompanying 95% confidence interval (CI) to express estimates. Reviewer Manager (RevMan) 5.1.0 was used to complete all statistical analyses. Results: Twelve studies were included based on the selection criteria. The total number of patients included in the final analysis was 1,365. At 1th month, there was no difference in continence rates between the groups [odds ratio (OR): 0.47; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.22-1.02, p = 0.06]. At 3th month, there was statistically significant difference in PFME group before operation (OR: 0.61; 95% CI, 0.37-0.98, p = 0.04). At 6th and 12th months, there was no difference between groups (OR: 0.57; 95% CI, 0.28-1.17, p = 0.13), (OR: 0.56; 95% CI, 0.27-1.15, p = 0.12). Conclusion: Preoperative pelvic floor muscle exercise can improve postoperative urinary incontinence at 3rd months after radical prostatectomy, but it cannot improve urinary incontinence at 6th months or longer after surgery, which indicates that preoperative PFME can improve early continence rate, but cannot improve long-term urinary incontinence continence rate.

Strategies for fertilizer management to achieve higher yields and environmental and fertilizer benefits of rice production in China.

The challenge in China is to retain high yields while lowering greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the context of the increasing global and Chinese demand for rice yield. Better fertilizer management is a key factor that favors intensive rice systems toward more intensive, diverse, and sustainable development to obtain higher yield and environmental benefits. Thus, we used a data-intensive approach to estimate yield, fertilizer productivity (FP) and GHG emissions based on fertilizer and soil characteristics across major Chinese rice-producing regions. The common rice production model showed medium yield, low emission intensity and FP, and low or high GHG emissions. Approximate 41 % and 10 %, 34 % and 3 %, 8 % and 2 %, and 8 % and 1 % probabilities for medium and high yield (MY and HY)-low emission intensity (LI)-low GHG emissions (LG)-high FP (HF) (MY-LI-LG-HF and HY-LI-LG-HF) were achieved in Northeast, South, Southwest, Central and East China, respectively, by adjusting basal, tillering and panicle fertilization and soil pH, N, P and K. Our results provide insights for adjusting soil nutrient traits and fertilizer inputs according to regional production potentials for higher yields and FP and lower GHG emissions in China.

Effects of elevated nitrogen fertilizer on the multi-level structure and thermal properties of rice starch granules and their relationship with chalkiness traits.

BACKGROUND: Chalkiness in rice reduces its market value and affects consumer acceptance. Research on the mechanism of chalkiness formation has focused primarily on the activity of key enzymes of carbon metabolism and starch accumulation. The relationship between the formation of chalkiness induced by N fertilizer and rice starch's multi-level structure and thermal properties still needs to be fully elucidated. RESULTS: In this study, the rates of chalky grains and degree of chalkiness decreased with the increase in N fertilizer dosage. This was attributed to an increased proportion of short chains, ordered structure carbon chains, small starch granules, and branched starches, and a higher degree of crystallinity and ΔHg in protein, and a decreased proportion of amylose, large starch granules, and weighted average diameter of starch granule surface area and volume. Application of N fertilizer promoted an increased proportion of short-branched chain amylopectin to develop a more ordered carbohydrate structure and crystalline lamella. These effects enhanced the normal development and compactness of starch granules in grains, and improved their arrangement morphology, thereby reducing the chalkiness in rice. CONCLUSION: These changes in starch multi-level structure and protein improve the physicochemical characteristics of starch and enhance the fullness, crystallinity and compactness of starch granules, while synergistically increasing the regularity and homogeneity of starch granules and thus optimizing the stacking pattern of starch granules, leading to a reduction in rice chalkiness under nitrogen fertilization and thus improving the appearance of rice. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Nitrogen Application Rate Affects the Accumulation of Carbohydrates in Functional Leaves and Grains to Improve Grain Filling and Reduce the Occurrence of Chalkiness.

Chalkiness, which is highly affected by nitrogen (N) management during grain filling, is critical in determining rice appearance quality and consumer acceptability. We investigated the effects of N application rates 75 (N1), 150 (N2), and 225 (N3) kg ha-1 on the source-sink carbohydrate accumulation and grain filling characteristics of two indica hybrid rice cultivars with different chalkiness levels in 2019 and 2020. We further explored the relationship between grain filling and formation of chalkiness in superior and inferior grains. In this study, carbohydrates in the functional leaves and grains of the two varieties, and grain filling parameters, could explain 66.2%, 68.0%, 88.7%, and 91.6% of the total variation of total chalky grain rate and whole chalkiness degree, respectively. They were primarily concentrated in the inferior grains. As the N fertilizer application rate increased, the chalky grain rate and chalkiness degree of both the superior and inferior grains decreased significantly. This interfered with the increase in total chalky grain rate and chalkiness. Moreover, the carbohydrate content in the functional leaves increased significantly in N2 and N3 compared with that in N1. The transfer of soluble sugar from the leaves to the grains decreased the soluble sugar and increased total starch contents, accelerated the development of grain length and width, increased grain water content, and effectively alleviated the contradiction between source and sink. These changes promoted the carbohydrate partition in superior and inferior grains, improved their average filling rate in the middle and later stages, optimized the uniformity of inferior grain fillings, and finally led to the overall reduction in rice chalkiness.

Ethnicity evaluation of ferric pyrophosphate citrate among Asian and Non-Asian populations: a population pharmacokinetics analysis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the potential ethnic differences of ferric pyrophosphate citrate (FPC, Triferic) in healthy subjects and patients with hemodialysis-dependent stage 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD-5HD) and identify covariates that may influence pharmacokinetics (PK) of FPC. METHODS: Data were collected from 2 Asian and 4 non-Asian clinical studies involving healthy subjects and CKD-5HD patients. Three population PK models were developed: M1 for intravenous (IV) administration of FPC in healthy subjects; M2 for dialysate administration of FPC in CKD-5HD patients; M3 for pre-dialyzer administration of FPC in CKD-5HD patients. All the models were fitted to concentration versus time data of FPC using the nonlinear mixed effect approach with the NONMEM® program. All statistical analyses were performed using SAS version 9.4. RESULTS: In total, 26 Asians and 65 non-Asians were included in the final model analysis database. Forty healthy subjects were administered FPC via intravenous (IV) route and 51 patients with CKD-5HD via dialysate (N = 50) and pre-dialyzer blood circuit administration (N = 51). The PK parameters of FPC IV were similar. The population PK model showed good parameter precision and reliability as shown by model evaluation, and no relevant influence of ethnicity on PK parameters was observed. In healthy subjects, the maximum observed plasma concentration (Cmax) and area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) decreased with increase in lean body mass (LBM) and the average serum total iron at 6 h before the baseline period (Feav), whereas, in both patient populations, Cmax and AUC decreased with increase in LBM and decrease in Febaseline. Other factors such as gender, age, Feav, and ethnicity had no influence on PK exposures in patients. The influence of LBM on PK exposures in patients was smaller than that in healthy subjects (ratio of AUC0-24 for the 5th [68 kg] and 95th [45 kg] patient's LBM was almost 1). The influence of Feav and LBM on PK exposures was < 50%. CONCLUSION: The population pharmacokinetics model successfully described the PK parameters of FPC in healthy subjects and CKD-5HD patients and were comparable between Asian and non-Asian populations.

Pharmacokinetics and Safety of Ferric Pyrophosphate Citrate in Chinese Subjects with and without Hemodialysis-Dependent Stage 5 Chronic Kidney Disease.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Anemia caused by iron depletion is common in patients with hemodialysis-dependent stage 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD-5HD) patients. To maintain the iron levels, external administration of iron is essential. Ferric pyrophosphate citrate (FPC) is a novel, water-soluble complex iron salt. The present study was conducted to evaluate the pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters and safety of FPC in adult healthy Chinese subjects and patients with CKD-5HD. METHODS: Two open-label, single-center studies were conducted in healthy subjects and patients with CKD-5HD. Healthy subjects received a single intravenous dose of 6.5 mg FPC solution, while CKD-5HD patients were randomized to two different sequences of FPC administration at two sequential hemodialysis (HD) treatments (dose 1 and dose 2). Patients received 27.2 mg of FPC at a dialysate concentration of 95 µg/L for 4 h or a single 6.5 mg dose of FPC administered intravenously via the pre-dialyzer blood circuit. The primary objective was to determine the PK parameters of total serum iron (Fetot), while the secondary objective was the safety of the FPC solution. PK parameters were calculated using Phoenix WinNonlin 8.1 and other parameters were analyzed using SAS 9.4 software. Comparison between HD dose 2 and HD dose 1 was performed using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test and analysis of variance (ANOVA). RESULTS: A total of 14 healthy subjects with a mean age of 30.8 ± 5.92 years and 12 HD patients with a mean age of 54.3 ± 16.47 years were included. In healthy subjects, the peak serum concentration was reached at the end of infusion of FPC, with an adjusted mean maximum concentration (Cmax,) of 33.46 ± 4.83 µmol/L at a mean time to reach Cmax (Tmax) of 4.09 ± 0.19 h. In patients with CKD-5HD, the adjusted mean Cmax of HD dose 2 was 25.37 ± 4.30 µmol/L at a Tmax, of 3.09 ± 0.32 h, whereas the Cmax, of HD dose 1 was 24.59 ± 4.77 µmol/L at a Tmax, of 3.96 ± 0.26 h. The Fetot concentration-time curves were observed to be similar for both administration methods (HD doses 1 and 2), while the PK parameters differed significantly for Tmax (p = 0.001; baseline correction) and area under the concentration-time curve from time zero to time t (AUCt) [p = 0.031 for cycle variance; without baseline correction] between HD doses 1 and 2. The geometric mean ratios (HD dose 1/HD dose 2) for Cmax and AUCt were within the 85-125% range (Cmax 96.56%; AUCt 96.07%). A total of three and two incidences of adverse events were reported in healthy subjects and patients with CKD-5HD, respectively. CONCLUSION: FPC showed a good PK and safety profile and hence can be used as maintenance therapy for patients with CKD-5HD by choosing a better method of administration based on clinical feasibility and requirement. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: CTR20181113 and CTR20181119.

Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics, and Tolerability of Opicapone in Healthy Chinese and Caucasian Subjects: An Open-Label, Single-Center, Phase 1 Study.

INTRODUCTION: This study evaluated the pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) of single and multiple doses of opicapone (OPC) in healthy Chinese and Caucasian subjects. METHODS: In this open-label, single-center, phase 1 study, eligible Chinese subjects received one of three OPC doses (25, 50, or 100 mg), and Caucasian subjects received either 25 or 50 mg of OPC. All subjects were administered a single dose of OPC, whereas subjects in the 50-mg OPC group continued to receive once-daily doses of 50 mg OPC for 10 days. The primary endpoint was to evaluate and compare the plasma concentrations and PK parameters of OPC and its main metabolite, and erythrocyte-soluble catechol-O-methyltransferase (S-COMT) activity in Chinese subjects with that of Caucasian subjects. The secondary endpoint was to evaluate the safety of OPC in Chinese subjects. The estimated results for geometric mean ratios (GMRs) were evaluated with the standard bioequivalence (BE) limits between 80% and 125% to evaluate the ethnic differences. All statistical analyses were performed using SAS version 9.4. RESULTS: In total, 70 subjects (45 Chinese, 25 Caucasian) were enrolled; the majority of them were male (85.7%). The plasma exposure of both OPC and BIA 9-1103 increased in an approximately dose-proportional manner in both populations. Maximum S-COMT inhibition ranged from 79% to 95% after a single dose and was about 94% after a 10-day once-daily regimen in both populations. The point estimates of GMRs (Chinese/Caucasian) and 90% CI, except Cmax in 25-mg and 50-mg OPC groups, for PK and PD parameters were within 80% to 125%. Furthermore, no new risks or safety concerns associated with OPC were identified, indicating a tolerable safety profile in healthy Chinese subjects. CONCLUSION: Ethnicity had no significant impact on PK and PD parameters after single or multiple doses of OPC, and OPC was safe and tolerable in healthy Chinese subjects. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ChiCTR number, CTR20192230.

Spin-Dependent Polaron Dynamics in Organic Ferromagnets.

The spin-dependent polaron dynamics in organic ferromagnets under driven electric fields are investigated by using the extended Su-Schrieffer-Heeger (SSH) model coupled with a nonadiabatic dynamics method. It is found that the spin-down polaron with the same spin orientation as the radicals drifts faster than the spin-up one under the same driven electric field. In an applicable range of driven electric fields, the velocity of the spin-down polaron is about 3.4 times that of the spin-up one. The dynamical property of the polaron with each spin (up or down) is asymmetric upon the reversal of the driven electric fields. The diverse dynamical properties of polarons with specific spins can be attributed to the spin nondegenerate polaron energy levels, the dipole moment generated by the asymmetrical polaron charge distributions and the strong electron-lattice coupling in organic ferromagnets. Our findings are expected to be useful for improving organic ferromagnet based spintronic devices.

Two-dimensional XC6-enes (X = Ge, Sn, Pb) with moderate band gaps, biaxial negative Poisson's ratios, and high carrier mobility.

Graphene-based analogs and derivatives provide numerous routes to achieve unconventional properties and potential applications. Particularly, two-dimensional (2D) binary materials of group-IV elements are drawing increasing interest. In this work, we proposed the design of three 2D graphene-based materials, namely, XC6-enes (X = Ge, Sn, or Pb), based on first-principles calculations. These new materials possess intriguing properties superior to graphene, such as biaxial negative Poisson's ratio (NPR), moderate bandgap, and high carrier mobility. These XC6-enes comprise sp2 carbon and sp3 X (X = Ge, Sn, Pb) atoms with hexagonal and pentagonal units by doping graphene with X atoms. The stability and plausibility of these 2D materials are verified from formation energies, phonon spectra, ab initio molecular dynamic simulations, and elastic constants. The incorporation of X atoms leads to highly anisotropic mechanical properties along with NPR due to the unique tetrahedral structure and hat-shaped configuration. In the equilibrium state, all the XC6-enes are moderate-band-gap semiconductors. The carrier mobilities of the XC6-enes were highly anisotropic (∼104 cm-2 V-1 s-1 along the [010]-direction). Such outstanding properties make the 2D frameworks promising for application in novel electronic and micromechanical devices.

Manipulation of precession modes in all-permalloy nanostripe-nanopillar structured spin torque nano-oscillator driven by direct current.

We investigated the dynamical behaviors of an all-permalloy structured spin-torque nano-oscillator (STNO) composed of a nanostripe with in-plane magneto-anisotropy and a free magnetized nanopillar in the absence of a non-magnetic spacer via a micro-magnetic simulation. It is found the newly-devised STNO exhibits two stable precession modes of magnetization in the nanopillar: out-of-plane precession mode and in-plane precession mode under varying applied DC current densities. The switching between the two modes is generated in a certain current density, depending on geometries of the nanopillar as well as the nanostripe. Given a special nanopillar geometry, both modes demonstrate stable oscillation properties in a certain range of current densities. Pulsed magnetic field can effectively realize transformation of the two modes under application of a proper current density. The realization of synchronous oscillations to significantly enhance the output power is verified in this new type of STNO by etching plenty of nanopillars on the nanostripe to build STNOs array.

The large perpendicular magnetic anisotropy induced at the Co2FeAl/MgAl2O4interface and tuned with the strain, voltage and charge doping by first principles study.

The heterostructures with high perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) have advantages for the application of the nonvolatile memories with long data retention time and small size. The interface structure and magnetic anisotropy energy (MAE) of Co2FeAl/MgAl2O4heterostructures were studied by first principles calculations. The stable interface atomic arrangement is the Co or FeAl layer located above the equatorial oxygen coordinate in the distorted oxygen octahedrons. The Co-O interface can induce large effective PMA up to 4.54 mJ m-2, but this structure is a metastable structure. Meanwhile, the effective MAE decreases linearly as the thickness of the ferromagnetic layer increase. The effective MAE for the FeAl-O interface is only 1.3 mJ m-2, while the maximum thickness of Co2FeAl layer that maintains the PMA effect is about 1.717 nm. These values are very close to the experimental results. Throughd-orbital-resolved MAE, we confirm that the interface PMA is mainly originated from the hybridization betweendxy,dyzanddz2orbitals of interface 3datoms. In addition, the compressive strain, negative electric field and hole doping can significantly enhance the effective PMA of FeAl-O interface. At the same time, Co-O interface will become the most stable structure by tuning the Mg/Al ratio in the spinel layers. The large effective PMA makes the Co2FeAl/MgAl2O4junction a perfect candidate for the next-generation of non-volatile spintronic devices.

A Prospective Comparison of Three Strategies for Evaluating Blood Loss in Transurethral Resection of the Prostate.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the current investigation is to develop a new strategy for evaluating blood loss in the process of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). METHODS: 318 patients diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) that need TURP were enrolled in this study. Hospitalization information including age, height, weight, surgery time, prostate volume, hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, hematocrit (HCT) percentage, and red blood cell count (RBC) was evaluated for each patient. All statistical analysis drawing were conducted using R software. RESULTS: Three methods were employed for calculating blood loss in TURP. Results from a new method display 0 missing value and got higher confidence (0 of 318, Poisson distribution, P < 0.001) compared with blood loss calculated with hemoglobin concentration (20.44%) and hematocrit percentage (19.18%). Also, the new method demonstrated narrow range (0.03~270.03 ml) and approximate normal distribution compared with blood loss calculated with hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit percentage. More importantly, the new method explained positive correlation with prostate volume (R 2 = 0.138, P < 0.001) and also surgery lasting time (R 2 = 0.193, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Methods developed for calculating blood loss in TURP in the current study displayed more accurate and reasonable evaluation of bleeding, which can guide the transfusion blood for patients.

New Spiral Form of Carbon Nitride with Ultrasoftness and Tunable Electronic Structures.

The structural diversity and multifunctionality of carbon nitride materials distinct from pure carbon materials are drawing increasing interest. Using first-principles calculations, we proposed a stable spiral structure of carbon nitride, namely spiral-C3N, which is composed of sp2-hybridized carbon and pyridine nitrogen with a 60° helical symmetry along the z-direction. The stability was verified from the cohesive energy, phonon spectrum, and elastic constants. Despite the strong covalent bonds of the spiral framework, the spiral-C3N exhibits a hardness lower than 12.00 GPa, in sharp contrast to the superhardness of cubic carbon nitrides reported in previous literature, which can be attributed to the unique porous configuration. The softness of the spiral-C3N was also confirmed by the small ideal strengths, which are, respectively, 33.00 GPa at a tensile strain of 0.22 along the [1̅21̅0] direction and 18.00 GPa at a shear strain of 0.52 in the (0001)[1̅21̅0] direction. Electronic band structure of spiral-C3N exhibits metallic features. A metal-semiconductor transition can be triggered by hydrogenation of the pyridine nitrogen atoms of spiral-C3N. Such a new three-dimensional spiral framework of sp2-hyperdized carbon and nitrogen atoms not only enriches the family of carbon nitride materials but also finds application in energy conversion and storage.

Roles of SP600125 in expression of JNK, RANKL and OPG in cultured dental follicle cells.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of C-JNK, RANKL and OPG after SP600125 administration in cultured dental follicle cells (DFCs). METHODS: TRAP staining and electron microscope were carried out on day 7 and 9 after coculture of BMMs and DFCs with a ratio of 5:1 in different groups. To determine the effects of SP600125 on the expression of C-JNK, RANKL and OPG mRNA and protein, cultured DFCs were divided into control group, DMSO group and SP600125 groups. Real-time PCR and Western blot analysis were performed to investigate the expression of the mRNA and protein, respectively. RESULTS: TRAP assay indicated that the number of multinucleated osteoclasts in the SP600125 group showed significant decrease compared with that of control (P < 0.05). The expression of JNK protein in the SP600125 groups showed significant decline compared with that of the control group and blank control (P < 0.05). Significant decrease was noticed in the RANKL protein expression with the elevation of SP600125. CONCLUSIONS: SP600125 could inhibit the formation of osteoclast in the coculture system of DFCs and BMMs. After SP600125 treatment, the expression of RANKL and JNK showed a trend of decrease, and the expression of OPG showed gradual increase followed by gradual decrease.

Effects of disordered interchain interactions on polaron dynamics in semiconducting polymers.

Polaron dynamics in a system of two randomly coupled polymer chains is simulated using a nonadiabatic evolution method. The simulations are performed within the framework of the Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model modified to include disordered interchain interactions and an external electric field. By analysing the polaron velocity statistically, we find that the polaron motion is determined by the competition between the electric field and the disordered interchain interactions. Polaron dynamics are classified into two types, weak-coupling dynamics and strong-coupling dynamics. It is found that the strength of interchain interactions is the dominant factor controlling charge propagation in weak-coupling dynamics, whereas the effects of disorder are dominant in strong-coupling dynamics. The charge carriers tend to have higher mobility for stronger interchain coupling, and interchain coupling disorder can be favorable for charge transport depending on the coupling strength and the electric field.

Semi-quantitative analysis of gentian violet by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy using silver colloids.

The viability of the application of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) to the semi-quantitative analysis of the triphenylmethane dye gentian violet was examined by using activated borohydride-reduced silver colloids. Raman and SERS spectra of aqueous solutions of gentian violet at different pH values were acquired for the first time and equally intense SERS signals were obtained at both acidic and alkaline pH values. Two maxima intensities observed in the pH profile revealed the presence of different ionization states of the dye. The pH conditions for SERS were optimized over the pH range 1 to 12 and the biggest enhancement for SERS of this charged dye was found to be at pH 2.0; thus, this condition was used for semi-quantitative analysis. A good linear correlation was observed for the dependence of the signal intensities of the SERS bands at 1620 cm(-1) (R = 0.999) and 1370 cm(-1) (R = 0.952) on dye concentration over the range 10(-6) to 10(-4) mol/L, using laser excitation at 514.5 nm. At concentrations of dye above 10(-2) mol/L, the concentration dependence of the SERS signals is nonlinear. This is explained as due to the precipitation of metallic silver as well as due to saturation caused by complete coverage of the SERS substrate. A series of intensities of the band at 1620 cm(-1) measured from dye molecules proved that the single-molecule limit of gentian violet is attained at the concentration of 10(-9) mol/L.