Bioactive terpenoids from .

Two new highly-oxygenated -clerodane diterpenoids, 3-acetoxyl-mollotucin D dilactone ester () and 6-crotoeurin C (), and a new lupane-type triterpene, 16β-hydroxyl-3β---coumaroyl-betulin (), as well as three known analogues () were obtained from the leaves of . The structures of the new compounds were determined by extensive spectroscopic methods, and their absolute configurations were determined by combination of single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra, and literature data. Compounds and exhibited inhibitory activities of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW 264.

A portable liquid crystal-based polarized light system for the detection of organophosphorus nerve gas.

Liquid crystal (LC)-based sensors have the advantageous properties of being fast, sensitive, and label-free, the results of which can be accessed directly only through the naked eye. However, the inherent disadvantages possessed by LC sensors, such as relying heavily on polarizing microscopes and the difficulty to quantify, have limited the possibility of field applications. Herein, we have addressed these issues by constructing a portable polarized detection system with constant temperature control.

Influences of cross pollination on pollen tube growth and fruit set in Zuili plums (Prunus salicina).

Zuili plum (Prunus salicina L.) trees usually set fruit poorly, although they produce high quality fruit. To elucidate the causes of the poor fruit set, pollen tube growth into pistils and fruit set percentage were investigated after cross-, self- and open-pollination.