Nondestructive in situ monitoring of pea seeds germination using optical coherence tomography.

Seed germination and uniform plant stand in the field are the most critical crop growth stages determining the final yield. Pea (.) seeds production is often hampered due to the seed dormancy caused by the hard seed coat.

Total synthesis, structure revision and cytotoxic activity of Sch 53825 and its derivatives.

The first total synthesis of Sch 53825 (14) was achieved in 12 steps from 5-hydroxy-1-tetralone in 16% overall yield through -benzyl cinchoninium chloride-catalyzed asymmetric epoxidation and a Mitsunobu reaction as the key steps. On this basis, the synthesis of palmarumycin B was improved using the same raw material with 6 steps and 32% overall yield. Also, three new analogues with two chlorine atoms were synthesized.

Optimization of germination and ultrasonic-assisted extraction for the enhancement of γ-aminobutyric acid in pumpkin seed.

Germination and ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE) are economical and effective methods to enhance bioactive compounds in plant seeds. We optimized the germination parameters and UAE parameters by using response surface methodology to maximize the recovery of γaminobutyric acid (GABA) in pumpkin seeds. The optimal germination conditions were as follows: soaking the seeds at 28°C for 6 h with 0.

Researching on the fine structure and admixture of the worldwide chicken population reveal connections between populations and important events in breeding history.

Here, we have evaluated the general genomic structure and diversity and studied the divergence resulting from selection and historical admixture events for a collection of worldwide chicken breeds. In total, 636 genomes (43 populations) were sequenced from chickens of American, Chinese, Indonesian, and European origin. Evaluated populations included wild junglefowl, rural indigenous chickens, breeds that have been widely used to improve modern western poultry populations and current commercial stocks bred for efficient meat and egg production.

Phosphine-catalyzed [3 + 2] annulation of β-sulfonamido-substituted enones with -α-cyano-α,β-unsaturated ketones for the synthesis of highly substituted pyrrolidines.

To synthesize highly substituted pyrrolidines, we developed a phosphine-catalyzed [3 + 2] annulation of β-sulfonamido-substituted enones with -α-cyano-α,β-unsaturated ketones. We prepared a series of pyrrolidines under mild conditions with high yields and moderate-to-good diastereoselectivities. A catalytic mechanism for this reaction is suggested.

A smart diagnostic tool based on deep kernel learning for on-site determination of phosphate, calcium, and magnesium concentration in a hydroponic system.

Calcium, phosphate, and magnesium are essential nutrients for plant growth. The determination of these nutrients is an important task for monitoring them in a closed hydroponic system where the nutrient elements need to be individually quantified based on ion-selective electrode (ISE) sensing. The accuracy issue of calcium ISEs due to interference, drift, and ionic strength, and the unavailability of phosphate and magnesium ISEs makes the development of these ion detecting tools hard to set up in a hydroponic system.

Occurrence of disinfectant-resistant bacteria in a fresh-cut vegetables processing facility and their role in protecting .

Chemical disinfectants are widely used to control foodborne pathogen contamination in fresh-cut vegetables (FVs) processing facilities. In this study, we investigated the disinfectant-resistant bacteria in a FVs processing facility and evaluate the effects of these bacteria on biofilm formation and disinfectant resistance. The disinfectant-resistance profiles were determined using 0.

Whole-genome analysis reveals the hybrid formation of Chinese indigenous DHB pig following human migration.

Hybridization is widespread in nature and is a valuable tool in domestic breeding. The DHB (DaHuaBai) pig in South China is the product of such a breeding strategy, resulting in increased body weight compared with other pigs in the surrounding area. We analyzed genomic data from 20 Chinese pig breeds and investigated the genomic architecture after breed formation of DHB.

Antibacterial activities of plant-derived xanthones.

The increasing threat to global health posed by antibiotic resistance remains a serious concern. This troublesome scenario has steered a need for the discovery and evaluation of novel antibacterial agents. Natural products are the main sources of antimicrobials used in clinical practice, serving as a rich reservoir for the discovery of new antibiotics.

 sp. nov.: A new twisted-wing parasite species (Strepsiptera, Xenidae) from Gaoligong Mountains, Southwest China.

Here we report a new twisted-wing parasite species of the family Xenidae based on both morphological and molecular evidence. By using nearly complete mitogenomes, we confirmed the twisted-wing parasites on two wasps ( and ) (China: Yunnan) as the same species, and associated its neotenic females and alate males. Combining the mitogenomic data () and morphological traits, this species was identified to be a new species of the genus , namely Dong, Liu & Li, Detailed descriptions and illustrations are provided for the new species.

Asian corn borer damage is affected by rind penetration strength of corn stalks in a spatiotemporally dependent manner.

Asian corn borer, (Guenée), is an important insect pest of maize throughout most of Asia. The rind of a maize stalk is a key barrier against corn borer larvae boring into the plant. There is a need to better understand the relationship between stalk strength and larval injury, particularly for elite maize genotypes.

Metabarcoding reveals massive species diversity of Diptera in a subtropical ecosystem.

Diptera is often considered to be the richest insect group due to its great species diversity and broad ecological versatility. However, data on dipteran diversity from subtropical ecosystems have hitherto been scarce, due to the lack of studies conducted at an appropriate large scale. We investigated the diversity and composition of Diptera communities on Tianmu Mountain, Zhejiang, China, using DNA metabarcoding technology, and evaluated their dynamic responses to the effects of slope aspect, season, and altitudinal zone.

Ultrasensitive Competitive Lateral Flow Immunoassay with Visual Semiquantitative Inspection and Flexible Quantification Capabilities.

Antibiotics abuse has caused various problems threatening human health and ecological environment. Monitoring antibiotics residual levels is of great significance, yet still challenging for quantitative point-of-need testing with high-sensitivity and visual capability. Here we developed a competitive lateral flow immunoassay (CLFIA) platform with flexible readout for enrofloxacin (ENR), a regularly added antibiotic.

Two new species of Enderlein, 1905 from China (Neuroptera, Coniopterygidae).

Two new species, and , are described from China. Both species differ from their congeners in characters of the male genitalia. (Banks, 1913) is redescribed based on examined Chinese specimens.

Superfruits in China: Bioactive phytochemicals and their potential health benefits - A Review.

The term "superfruit" usually refers to certain fruits, which are rich in antioxidant components, therefore, are beneficial to human health. In China, there has been the concept of health preservation and dietary therapy through food intake in a long history. However, some other superfruits growing mainly in China have not attracted extensive attention, such as Cili, Goji berry, and sea buckthorn.

Comparison of the immersion chilling and freezing and traditional air freezing on the quality of beef during storage.

Compared to traditional air freezing, immersion chilling and freezing shows an improvement in the freezing effect on meat quality, but it is not known whether this advantage persists over longer storage periods. Therefore, the objective of the current study was to compare the effects of immersion chilling and freezing (ICF) and traditional air freezing (TAF) on the physical and chemical indexes in beef longissimus muscle during a storage period of 150 days. In the current study, the longissimus muscle from Luxi cattle (aged 20-24 months) was analyzed, with samples independently frozen by ICF and TAF.

Novel green soybean shuidouchi fermented by with multibioactivities.

Soybeans are usually fermented by to produce , which is a traditional fermentation soybean product in China. In the study, green soybeans were fermented by to make a novel green soybean shuidouchi with multibioactivities. The processing conditions were optimized as follows: initial moisture content 75%, inoculum concentration 7 log CFU/g, and incubation time 24 h for prefermentation; water addition 50%, salt addition 6%, temperature 45°C, 3 days for postfermentation.

Macquart (Diptera, Limoniidae) from Xizang, China.

One new species of the subgenus Eriocera Macquart,1838, Hexatoma (Eriocera) xizangensis is described and illustrated from Xizang, China. The following four species are re-described and reported from Xizang for the first time: H. (E.

Elucidation of ustilaginoidin biosynthesis reveals a previously unrecognised class of ene-reductases.

Ustilaginoidins are a type of mycotoxin featuring a dimeric naphtho-γ-pyrone skeleton, produced by the rice false smut pathogen . Here we used gene disruption, heterologous expression in , feeding experiments, and experiments to fully elucidate the biosynthesis of ustilaginoidins. A new route to dimeric 2,3-unsaturated naphtho-γ-pyrones dimerization of YWA1 (and 3-methyl YWA1) followed by dehydration was discovered.

Statistics on the bioactive anthocyanin/proanthocyanin products in China online sales.

Due to their potential beneficial effects, anthocyanins and proanthocyanins have attracted great concern worldwide. Recently, anthocyanin/proanthocyanin-related health products have occupied a certain proportion of the market. However, there has not been a systematical assessment on collecting and analyzing the relevant information.

The distribution and behavioral characteristics of plateau pikas ().

Plateau pikas () are regarded as one of the main causes of the degradation of alpine meadows in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP). The population density of plateau pikas is directly related to the degree of grassland damage. In this study, field observation was conducted for one week in the southeastern QTP in August 2019.

Cotton photosynthetic productivity enhancement through uniform row-spacing with optimal plant density in Xinjiang, China.

Xinjiang is currently the most dominant cotton ( L.)-growing region in China and possesses abundant radiation resource. The cultivation techniques such as wide and narrow row-spacing and high density are widely adopted to obtain high cotton yield in the region.

Variations on gut health and energy metabolism in pigs and humans by intake of different dietary fibers.

Many studies have reported that dietary fibers play a crucial role in promoting intestinal health of the host, since it strengthens functions of epithelial barrier and meanwhile maintains intestinal homeostasis of the host by modulating gut microbiota and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production. Pig is a good animal model to study effects of dietary fiber on gut health and microbial community. This review has summarized the relevant knowledge available based on roles of various dietary fibers in gut health and energy metabolism of pigs and humans.