A hybrid RSM-BPNN-GA approach for optimizing ultrasound-assisted deep eutectic solvents extraction conditions for Mesona chinensis benth. and investigation of the extraction mechanism.

Mesona chinensis Benth (MCB) is the source of the most commonly consumed herbal beverage in Southeast Asia and China and is thus an economically important agricultural plant. Therefore, optimal extraction and production procedures have significant commercial value. Currently, in terms of green chemistry, researchers are investigating the use of greener solvents and innovative extraction techniques to increase extract yields.

A new species of Populus and the extensive hybrid speciation arising from it on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

While the diversity of species formation is broadly acknowledged, significant debate exists regarding the universal nature of hybrid species formation. Through an 18-year comprehensive study of all Populus species on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, 23 previously recorded species and 8 new species were identified. Based on morphological characteristics, these can be classified into three groups: species in section Leucoides, species with large leaves, and species with small leaves in section Tacamahaca.

A model of hybrid speciation process drawn from three new poplar species originating from distant hybridization between sections.

Although numerous studies have been conducted on hybrid speciation, our understanding of this process remains limited. Through an 18-year systematic investigation of all taxa of Populus on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, we discovered three new taxa with clear characteristics of sect. Leucoides.

UVB-Pretreatment-Enhanced Cadmium Absorption and Enrichment in Poplar Plants.

The phenomenon of cross adaptation refers to the ability of plants to improve their resistance to other stress after experiencing one type of stress. However, there are limited reports on how ultraviolet radiation B (UVB) pretreatment affects the enrichment, transport, and tolerance of cadmium (Cd) in plants. Since an appropriate UVB pretreatment has been reported to change plant tolerance to stress, we hypothesized that this application could alter plant uptake and tolerance to heavy metals.

Cladosporioles A and B, Two New Indole Derivatives from the Deep-Sea-Derived Fungus Cladosporium cladosporioides 170056.

Two new (cladosporioles A and B, 1 and 2) and fourteen known (3-16) compounds were isolated from the deep-sea-derived fungus Cladosporium cladosporioides 170056. The relative structures of the new compounds were elucidated mainly by detailed analysis of their NMR and HR-ESI-MS spectroscopic data. Their absolute configurations were determined by comparison of the experimental and calculated electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra.

Temporal dynamics of mixed litter humification in an alpine treeline ecotone.

Loss of plant diversity affects mountain ecosystem properties and processes, yet few studies have focused on the impact of plant function type deficiency on mixed litter humification. To fill this knowledge gap, we conducted a 1279-day litterbag decomposition experiment with six plant functional types of foliar litter to determine the temporal dynamic characteristics of mixed litter humification in a coniferous forest (CF) and an alpine shrubland (AS). The results indicated that the humus concentrations, the net accumulations and their relative mixed effects (RME) of most types were higher in CF than those in AS at 146 days, and humus net accumulations fell to approximately -80% of the initial level within 1279 days.

External application of nitrogen alleviates toxicity of cadmium on poplars via starch and sucrose metabolism.

Phytoremediation technology can help achieve moderate cost and considerable effect with respect to the remediation of heavy metal (HM) pollution in soil and water. Many previous studies have suggested the role of nitrogen (N) in the alleviation of effects of HM on plants. Herein, we sought to determine the molecular mechanisms by which additional N supplementation mitigates cadmium (Cd) toxicity in poplars using a combination of physiological, transcriptomic and phosphoproteomic analyses.

Effect of suspension training on neuromuscular function, postural control, and knee kinematics in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction patients.

Background: Suspension training (SET) is a method of neuromuscular training that enables the body to carry out active training under unstable support through a suspension therapy system. However, there have been few reports in the literature on the application of SET to anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) patients. It is not clear what aspects of the patient's function are improved after SET.

Constipation and risk of urinary incontinence in women: a meta-analysis.

Introduction And Hypothesis: Constipation is reported to be associated with urinary incontinence. However, the reported results have been inconsistent and contradictory. To evaluate the association between constipation and urinary incontinence in women, we performed a meta-analysis.

Evaluation of the Xpert MTB/RIF Performance on Tissues: Potential Impact on Airborne Infection Isolation at a Tertiary Cancer Care Center.

OBJECTIVES In this study, we sought to evaluate the performance of the Xpert MTB/RIF (Cepheid) assay for the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) complex DNA on fresh and formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue specimens from oncology patients in an area with a low prevalence of tuberculosis. We also aimed to retrospectively assess the potential impact of Xpert MTB/RIF on the duration of airborne infection isolation (AII). SETTING A 473-bed, tertiary-care cancer center in New York City.

Norovirus Loads in Stool Specimens of Cancer Patients with Norovirus Gastroenteritis.

In immunocompromised patients with norovirus (NoV) gastroenteritis, the relationship between fecal NoV load and clinical complications has not been examined. In this study, a validated real-time quantitative PCR assay was used to determine viral loads for NoV genogroup I and II (GI and GII) in NoV-positive stool specimens of cancer patients. A total of 234 specimens from 152 patients were positive for NoV, including 201 of GII and 33 of GI.

Soluble epoxide hydrolase inhibitor, 12-(3-adamantan-1-yl-ureido)-dodecanoic acid, represses human aortic smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration by regulating cell death pathways via the mTOR signaling.

The soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) is a molecule necessary for the metabolism of endogenous constituents implicated in blood pressure regulation and vascular inflammation. Scientific evidences indicate that sEH inhibitors such as 12-(3-Adamantan-1-yl-ureido)-dodecanoic acid (AUDA) could be a possible therapeutic option for cardiovascular diseases such as restenosis and atherosclerosis. However, the nature of the biological effects of AUDA still remains unclear.

Attenuated synovial fluid ghrelin levels are linked with cartilage damage, meniscus injury, and clinical symptoms in patients with knee anterior cruciate ligament deficiency.

Background: The meniscus injury and post-traumatic knee osteoarthritis (PTOA) following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) lesions often cause great burdens to patients. Ghrelin, a recently identified 28-amino-acid peptide, has been shown to inhibit inflammation and perform as a growth factor for chondrocyte.

Objective: This study was aimed at investigating ghrelin concentration in synovial fluid and its association with the degree of meniscus injury, articular degeneration, and clinical severity in patients suffering from anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) deficiency.

Bioguided Fraction and Isolation of the Antitumor Components from L.

L., a well-known medicinal plant, has been used as a folk antitumor remedy in the worldwide scale. However, the antitumor components in have not been reported.

Large-scale purification and characterization of recombinant human stem cell factor in Escherichia coli.

The pharmacological importance of recombinant human stem cell factor (rhSCF) has increased the demand to establish effective and large-scale production and purification processes. A good source of bioactive recombinant protein with capability of being scaled-up without losing activity has always been a challenge. The objectives of the study were the rapid and efficient pilot-scale expression and purification of rhSCF.

[Dynamics of microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen during foliar litter decomposition under artificial forest gap in Pinus massoniana plantation.].

Nowadays large areas of plantations have caused serious ecological problems such as soil degradation and biodiversity decline. Artificial tending thinning and construction of mixed forest are frequently used ways when we manage plantations. To understand the effect of this operation mode on nutrient cycle of plantation ecosystem, we detected the dynamics of microbial bio-mass carbon and nitrogen during foliar litter decomposition of Pinus massoniana and Toona ciliate in seven types of gap in different sizes (G: 100 m, G: 225 m, G: 400 m, G: 625 m, G: 900 m, G: 1225 m, G: 1600 m) of 42-year-old P.

Effect of Grape Polyphenols on Blood Pressure: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background: The effect of grape polyphenols on blood pressure remains unclear, which we aimed to address via a meta-analysis study.

Methods: We conducted study trial searches in PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library databases. Summary estimates of weighted mean differences and 95% confidence intervals were obtained by using fixed-effects models.

Compound K-induced apoptosis of human hepatocellular carcinoma MHCC97-H cells in vitro.

An intestinal bacterial metabolite of ginseng protopanaxadiol saponin, 20-O-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)-20(S)-protopanaxadiol (compound K), has been reported to induce apoptosis in a variety of cancer cells. However, the precise mechanisms induced by compound K in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells remain unclear. In order to examine possible apoptotic mechanisms, we investigated the anticancer effect of compound K in MHCC97-H.

Nitrogen distribution and cycling through water flows in a subtropical bamboo forest under high level of atmospheric deposition.

Background: The hydrological cycle is an important way of transportation and reallocation of reactive nitrogen (N) in forest ecosystems. However, under a high level of atmospheric N deposition, the N distribution and cycling through water flows in forest ecosystems especially in bamboo ecosystems are not well understood.

Methodology/principal Findings: In order to investigate N fluxes through water flows in a Pleioblastus amarus bamboo forest, event rainfall/snowfall (precipitation, PP), throughfall (TF), stemflow (SF), surface runoff (SR), forest floor leachate (FFL), soil water at the depth of 40 cm (SW1) and 100 cm (SW2) were collected and measured through the whole year of 2009.

The acute effects of grape polyphenols supplementation on endothelial function in adults: meta-analyses of controlled trials.

Background: The acute effects of grape polyphenols on endothelial function in adults are inconsistent. Here, we performed meta-analyses to determine these acute effects as measured by flow-mediated dilation (FMD).

Methods: Trials were searched in PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library database.