Screening of Sugarcane Proteins Associated with Defense against subsp. , Agent of Ratoon Stunting Disease.

Sugarcane is the most important sugar crop and one of the leading energy-producing crops in the world. Ratoon stunting disease (RSD), caused by the bacterium subsp. , poses a huge threat to ratoon crops, causing a significant yield loss in sugarcane.

Identification of the passion fruit ( Sims) MYB family in fruit development and abiotic stress, and functional analysis of in abiotic stresses.

Environmental stresses are ubiquitous in agricultural cultivation, and they affect the healthy growth and development of edible tissues in passion fruit. The study of resistance mechanisms is important in understanding the adaptation and resistance of plants to environmental stresses. In this work, two differently resistant passion fruit varieties were selected, using the expression characteristics of the transcription factor MYB, to explore the resistance mechanism of the MYB gene under various environmental stresses.

Effect of Acupuncture on Endometrial Blood Flow in Women Undergoing in vitro Fertilization Embryo Transfer: A Single Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of manual acupuncture on endometrial blood flow parameters by three-dimensional (3D) power Doppler ultrasound in women undergoing in vitro fertilization embryo transfer (IVF-ET).

Methods: Seventy patients undergoing IVF-ET were equally randomized into traditional or sham acupuncture treatment group for totally 4 days (from the day of oocyte aspiration to the day of embryo transfer) of treatment by random envelope method at the Reproductive Medicine Center and Outpatient Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medicine College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology from January 2013 to December 2015. Patients in the traditional acupuncture group accepted traditional acupuncture methods with manual acupuncture, and Zhongji (CV3), Qihai (CV 6), Sanyinjiao (SP6), Taichong (LR 3), Tianshu (ST 25), Guilai (ST 29) and Zusanli (ST 36) were chosen.

Construction and Validation of a Novel Immune Checkpoint-Related Model in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma.

Background: With the highest mortality and metastasis rate, kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC) is one of the most common urological malignant tumors and not sensitive to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Immunotherapy, which proves to be effective and a big progression, such as PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors, is not sensitive to all KIRC patients. To predict prognosis and immunotherapy response, a novel immune checkpoint gene- (ICG-) related model is essential in clinics.

Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of the SWEET gene family in daylily (Hemerocallis fulva) and functional analysis of HfSWEET17 in response to cold stress.

Background: The Sugars Will Eventually be Exported Transporters (SWEETs) are a newly discovered family of sugar transporters whose members exist in a variety of organisms and are highly conserved. SWEETs have been reported to be involved in the growth and development of many plants, but little is known about SWEETs in daylily (Hemerocallis fulva), an important perennial ornamental flower.

Results: In this study, 19 daylily SWEETs were identified and named based on their homologous genes in Arabidopsis and rice.

Lead-Free Solid-State Organic-Inorganic Halide Perovskite Electrolyte for Lithium-Ion Conduction.

Exploring new solid electrolytes (SEs) for lithium-ion conduction is significant for the development of rechargeable all-solid-state lithium batteries. Here, a lead-free organic-inorganic halide perovskite, MASrLiCl (MA = methylammonium, CHNH in formula), is reported as a new SE for Li-ion conduction due to its highly symmetric crystal structure, inherent soft lattice, and good tolerance for composition tunability. Via density functional theory calculations, we demonstrate that the hybrid perovskite framework can allow fast Li-ion migration without the collapse of the crystal structure.

Simulation experiment on OH-PCB being ingested through daily diet: Accumulation, transformation and distribution of hydroxylated-2, 2', 4, 5, 5'-pentachlorobiphenyl (OH-PCB101) in mice.

Animals exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) may result in retention of hydroxylated PCBs (OH-PCBs). OH-PCBs can be accumulated in animals, including humans, through the transmission of food chain. However, there are few studies on the accumulation and metabolism of OH-PCBs exposed to the body through daily diet.

Impact of Low Frequency Electro-acupuncture on Glucose and Lipid Metabolism in Unmarried PCOS Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: To explore the effect of electro-acupuncture (EA) on glucose and lipid metabolism in unmarried patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Methods: Fifty-four PCOS patients were equally randomized into true acupuncture group and sham acupuncture group (control) for totally 16 weeks of treatment by random method with a computerized randomization program. Patients in true acupuncture group accepted traditional acupuncture methods with EA and two sets of acupoint groups were used alternatively.

Establishment and Evaluation of a Novel Method Based on Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification for the Rapid Diagnosis of Thalassemia Genes.

Purpose: Currently, thalassemia is commonly detected using gap-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) reverse dot blot, which have high requirements of space, instruments, and personnel. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a new method for thalassemia detection with high sensitivity, low cost, and simple and fast operation. In this study, we aimed to design and evaluate a new method for detecting three α-thalassemia genes including -Southeast Asian (SEA), -α3.

New insight into filamentous sludge bulking during wastewater treatment: Surface characteristics and thermodynamics.

Although there have been many studies on filamentary bulking of activated sludge, it has been revealed that there is still a gap in the microscopic mechanism of filamentary bulking. In this study, the surface characteristics and thermodynamics of sludge floc were investigated to reveal the mechanism of filamentous sludge bulking. The results showed that the EPS content gradually decreased from 71.

Effect of Acupuncture and Clomiphene in Chinese Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Acupuncture is used to induce ovulation in some women with polycystic ovary syndrome, without supporting clinical evidence.

Objective: To assess whether active acupuncture, either alone or combined with clomiphene, increases the likelihood of live births among women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Design, Setting, And Participants: A double-blind (clomiphene vs placebo), single-blind (active vs control acupuncture) factorial trial was conducted at 21 sites (27 hospitals) in mainland China between July 6, 2012, and November 18, 2014, with 10 months of pregnancy follow-up until October 7, 2015.

Acupuncture for infertility: is it an effective therapy?

Acupuncture has been used to treat infertility extensively, including ovulatory dysfunction, in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET), and male infertility. This review summarizes the recent studies which investigated the role of acupuncture in infertility. In conclusion, most of the existing studies suggest a positive effect of acupuncture in infertility treatment.

The use of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in uterine leiomyomas.

Background: Ultrasound (US) is a popular method in the diagnosis and treatment of uterine leiomyomas, but the lack of accuracy greatly limits its application. Recently, microbubble enhancement technique affords direct depiction of tumor neovascularity and establishes a more precise vascular map of the tumor. This study was undertaken to describe the distribution patterns of SonoVue, a second-generation contrast agent, in the microcirculation of uterine leiomyomas, and to investigate the potential use of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in the characterization and treatment of uterine leiomyomas.

Effects of Bushenyiqihexue formula on the endometrial gland apoptosis in mice with blastocyst implantation dysfunction.

Objective: To observe the effects of Bushenyiqihexue Formula (Formula for Tonifying the Kidney, Replenishing qi and Harmonizing Blood, FTKRQHB) on the endometrial gland apoptosis in the mice with blastocyst implantation dysfunction.

Methods: The mice with the first-day pregnancy were divided into the control, model and treatment groups, with 30 in each group, and blastocyst implantation dysfunction was induced by subcutaneous injection of mifepristone in the mice of the model and treatment groups. The pregnancy rate and implantation number of blastocysts were measured and the expressions of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), Bax, Bcl-2, and activated caspase-3 were detected in all the three groups.

Effects of Bushen Tongmai Recipe on protein kinase Balpha expression in polycystic ovary rats with insulin resistance.

Objective: To observe the effects of Bushen Tongmai Recipe (, BSTMR) on mRNA and protein expressions of protein kinase B alpha (PKB alpha) in hepatic, adipose, muscular, and ovarian tissues of polycystic ovary (PCO) rats with insulin resistance (IR) and to explore the possible molecular mechanism of BSTMR in treating IR and ovulation dysfunction.

Methods: Female 22-day-old SD rats were injected subcutaneously with sodium prasterone sulfate (9 mg.100g(-1).

[Effect of bushen tongmai recipe on insulin resistance and ovulation dysfunction in PCOS rats accompanied with insulin resistance].

Objective: To establish a rat model of polycystic ovarian syndrome accompanied with insulin resistance (PCOS-IR), and to observe the effects of Bushen Tongmai Recipe (BSTMR) on insulin resistance and ovulation dysfunction in the model.

Methods: Sodium prasterone sulfate at the daily dose of 9 mg/100 g was subcutaneously injected to female SD rats, 23-day old, for 20 days, and fed with high-fat forage for 80 days to establish the rat model of PCOS-IR. The model rats were randomized into the model group and the treated group administered with BSTMR.

[Effect of Bushen Yiqi Hexue recipe on endometrial P21 expression of embryo implantation dysfunctional mice].

Objective: To observe the effect of Bushen Yiqi Hexue recipe on endometrial P21 and PCNA expression of embryo implantation dysfunctional mice.

Method: The expression of P21 protein was analyzed by means of immunoblot and immunohistochemical method. The expression of PCNA protein was analyzed by means of immunohistochemical method.

Density function theory study of CO adsorption on Fe3O4(111) surface.

Density functional theory calculations have been carried out for CO adsorption on the Fe(oct2)- and Fe(tet1)-terminated Fe(3)O(4)(111) surfaces, which are considered as active catalysts in water-gas shift reaction. It is found that the on-top configurations are most stable on these two surfaces. Some bridge configurations are also stable in which the new C-O bond formed between the surface O atom and the C atom of CO.

Effect of a single dose of mifepristone on expression of pinopodes in endometrial surface of mice.

Aim: To investigate the effect of mifepristone (RU486) as a single dose on pinopodes expression in the endometrial surface of mice at the time of implantation.

Methods: Pregnant mice in the treated four groups received mifepristone subcutaneously (0.1 mg) between 07:00 and 08:00 AM on Pd (day of pregnancy)1, Pd2, Pd3, and Pd4.

[Effect of Bushenyiqihexue recipe on the expression of endometrial pinopodes in blastocyst implantation dysfunctional mice].

Objective: To observe the effect of Bushenyiqihexue recipe on the expression of endometrial pinopodes in blastocyst implantation dysfunctional mice.

Methods: To induce blastocyst implantation dysfunctional mice model, Kunming mice were injected subcutaneously with mifepristone on day 4 of pregnancy. First, Kunming mice were randomly assigned to the control group, the model group and treated group postcoitally.

[Insulin signal transduction disorder and development of insulin resistance].

Insulin action is initiated through the binding to its cell-surface receptor, stiring up a series of signal transduction and eventually reach various effectors which produce various physiological effects. Insulin signal transduction is crucial to insulin action. Impairment of insulin signal transduction results in attenuation of insulin action and finally leads to insulin resistance.

[Effects of bushen tongmai recipe on insulin signaling in insulin resistant rats].

Objective: To investigate the effect of Bushen Tongmai recipe (BSTMR) on the tyrosine phosphorylation of insulin receptor (InsR) and insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) after insulin stimulation in muscle and fat tissues of insulin resistant (IR) rats induced by high-fat forage.

Methods: Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal group (normal forage), model group (high fat forage, in which 61% calories were supplied by fat) and treated group (same forage as model group and treated with BSTMR). All animals were fed for 8 weeks, fasting blood glucose (FBG), blood glucose (BG) levels 1- and 2-hrs after glucose loading were determined routinely, serum fasting insulin (Ins) was determined with radioimmunoassay (RIA) and tyrosine phosphorylation level of InsR and IRS-1 in fatty and muscular tissues was measured by immunoprecipitation and Western blot.