Plastid diversity and chromoplast biogenesis in differently coloured carrots: role of the DcOR3 gene.

Distinct plastid types and ultrastructural changes are associated with differences in carotenoid pigment profiles in differently coloured carrots, and a variant of the OR gene, DcOR3 is vital for chromoplast biogenesis. Accumulation of different types and amounts of carotenoids in carrots impart different colours to their taproots. In this study, the carotenoid pigment profiles, morphology, and ultrastructure of plastids in 25 carrot varieties with orange, red, yellow, or white taproots were investigated by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography as well as light and transmission electron microscopy.

Novel method to decrease the exposure time of the extraction string of the ureteral stent and its efficiency and safety verification in the clinic.

Ureteral stent removal by an extraction string is advantageous. However, the increased risk of complications attributed to the continuous exposure of the string outside the urethra must be managed. This paper introduces a method to decrease the exposure time, and conducts a retrospective study to verify its efficiency and safety.

Inhibition of microRNA-132 attenuates inflammatory response and detrusor fibrosis in rats with interstitial cystitis via the JAK-STAT signaling pathway.

Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a heterogeneous syndrome with unknown etiology, and microRNAs (miRs) were found to be involved in IC. In our study, we aim to explore the role of miR-132 in the inflammatory response and detrusor fibrosis in IC through the Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK-STAT) signaling pathway in rat models. A rat model of IC was established and treated with the miR-132 mimic, miR-132 inhibitor, and/or JAK-STAT signaling pathway inhibitor AG490.

Nrf2 inhibition affects cell cycle progression during early mouse embryo development.

Brusatol, a quassinoid isolated from the fruit of Bruceajavanica, has recently been shown to inhibit nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) via Keap1-dependent ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation or protein synthesis. Nrf2 is a transcription factor that regulates the cellular defense response. Most studies have focused on the effects of Nrf2 in tumor development.

Short-day signals are crucial for the induction of anthocyanin biosynthesis in Begonia semperflorens under low temperature condition.

The leaves of Begonia semperflorens accumulate anthocyanins and turn red in autumn in sub-temperate areas. This induction of anthocyanin biosynthesis in autumn has been attributed to the effects of low temperature, but the effects of different light regimes on this process are still being debated. In the present work, short days were found to be necessary for anthocyanin biosynthesis at low temperature.

[Monitoring situation of eliminating malaria in Shaoguan City from 2001 to 2014].

Objective: To analyze the malaria monitoring situation in Shaoguan City from 2001 to 2014, and evaluate the efficacy of the malaria control and prevention work, so as to provide the evidence for formulating the effective eliminating malaria measures.

Methods: The microscopic examination monitoring points of "four-fever" patients were established in medical institutions at all levels in Shaoguan City from 2001 to 2014, and the fever patients were examined by microscopy and the active case monitoring was performed. By using the epidemiology method, the malaria incidence and classification of cases were described and analyzed statistically.

[Protective effect of epigallocatechin gallate against sperm abnormality in mice].

Objective: To investigate the protective effect of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) on mouse sperm in vivo.

Methods: A total of 64 six-week-old male Kuming mice were randomly divided into eight groups of equal number to be treated with normal saline (negative control), Cyclophosphamide (CP) at 30 mg/kg (positive control), and CP followed by EGCG (experimental) at 20, 40, and 80 mg/kg, respectively, given every other day for 10 days. At 4 and 5 weeks after treatment, the bilateral testes of the mice were harvested for examination of sperm abnormality.

Active suppression of a beam under a moving mass using a pointwise fiber Bragg grating displacement sensing system.

This paper investigates active vibration control of a beam under a moving mass using a pointwise fiber Bragg grating (FBG) displacement sensing system. Dynamic responses of the proposed FBG displacement sensor are demodulated with an FBG filter and verified with measurement results obtained from a noncontact fiber-optic displacement sensor. System identification of the beam is first performed with a piezoceramic actuator and positive position feedback (PPF) controllers are designed based on the identified results.