The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of residual feed intake (RFI) on rumen function in finishing lambs. A total of 60 male Hu lambs (average initial BW = 25.2 ± 2.5kg) were used ...and were offered a pelleted high-concentrate diet, of which the forage to concentrate ratio was 25:75. Individual feed intake was recorded over a period of 42 d, then 10 lambs with the lowest RFI and the highest RFI were selected, respectively. The rumen fluid used for fermentation variables and relative abundance of bacteria measurement was obtained on d 10 and 20 after RFI measurement. At the end of this experiment, the selected lambs were slaughtered and rumen epithelium and liver tissues were collected for RNA extraction. Low-RFI lambs had lower ( < 0.01) DMI and greater ( < 0.05) G:F than the high-RFI ones, while the RFI groups did not differ in ADG and BW ( > 0.05). Additionally, RFI was positively ( = 0.57; < 0.01) correlated with DMI and negatively ( = -0.53; < 0.05) correlated with G:F. Total VFA and individual VFA decreased ( < 0.05) over time. The concentrations of total VFA, acetate, valerate, isobutyrate, isovalerate, and rumen pH ( > 0.05) were not affected by RFI classification. Nonetheless, low-RFI group lambs had a greater ( < 0.05) concentration of propionate, a lower ( < 0.05) concentration of butyrate, and a lower ( < 0.05) acetate to propionate ratio compared with the high-RFI group. There was a significant ( < 0.05) effect of RFI on the relative abundance of and . The relative abundance of , , and decreased ( < 0.05) over time in high-RFI group. And the relative abundance of in high-RFI group was greater ( < 0.05) than its low-RFI counterpart. Furthermore, RFI had no effect ( > 0.05) on gene expression associated with intracellular pH regulation (, , , , , , , and ) in rumen epithelium and β-hydroxybutyrate metabolism () in both rumen epithelium and liver tissues. In conclusion, even though low-RFI lambs had lower DMI, however, the number of was lower. Additionally, there was no difference in gene expressions level associated with intracellular pH regulation in rumen epithelium between RFI groups.
Sinopodophyllum hexandrum is an alpine medicinal plant that produces the anticancer compound podophyllotoxin (PPT). Although a positive relationship between PPT content and altitude has been proved ...and low temperature enhances plant growth and PPT accumulation has also been revealed, the role of UV radiation in regulating growth and PPT accumulation is still unclear
In this study, morphophysiological traits, metabolites content and related genes expression were investigated by exposing S. hexandrum seedlings to treatment with UV‐B radiation.
The results showed that the contents of soluble sugars and flavonoids, and the expression levels of genes involved in glycometabolism (XET and β‐1,3‐glucanase) and flavonoid biosynthesis (PAL,C4H,4CL,CHS1 and DTX41) were enhanced in response to UV‐B compared to CK. Moreover, genes involved in stress tolerance (MYB, WRKY,APX3 and EX2) were also upregulated in response to UV‐B radiation. Although the whole plant biomass exhibited slightly increased values that depended largely on root development, the contents of chlorophyll and PPT and the expression levels of genes involved in photosynthesis (matK, ndhF,rbcL and ycf5) and PPT biosynthesis (C3H,CCoAMT,CCR,CAD, DPO, PLR,SDH, CPY719A23,OMT3,CYP71CU1,OMT1and 2‐ODD) were significantly decreased in response to UV‐B compared to CK.
It can be concluded that UV‐B radiation promotes soluble sugars and flavonoids accumulation, but inhibits PPT biosynthesis in S. hexandrum.
UV‐B radiation promotes flavonoids accumulation and root length, while inhibits anticancer compound podophyllotoxin (PPT) biosynthesis and plant growth
Vasculogenic mimicry (VM) refers to the fluid-conducting channels formed by aggressive tumor cells rather than endothelial cells (EC) with elevated expression of genes associated with ...vascularization. VM has been considered as one of the reasons that glioblastoma becomes resistant to anti-VEGF therapy. However, the molecular basis underlying VM formation remains unclear. Here we report that the insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 2 (IGFBP2) acts as a potent factor to enhance VM formation in glioma. Evidence showed that elevated IGFBP2 expression was positively related with VM formation in patients with glioma. Enforced expression of IGFBP2 increased network formation of glioma cells in vitro by activating CD144 and MMP2 (Matrix Metalloproteinase 2). U251 cells with stable knockdown of IGFBP2 led to decreased VM formation and tumor progression in orthotopic mouse model. Mechanistically, IGFBP2 interacts with integrin α5 and β1 subunits and augments CD144 expression in a FAK/ERK pathway-dependent manner. Luciferase reporter and ChIP assay suggested that IGFBP2 activated the transcription factor SP1, which could bind to CD144 promoter. Thus, IGFBP2 acts as a stimulator of VM formation in glioma cells via enhancing CD144 and MMP2 expression.
With an attempt to extend light absorption of TiO2-based photocatalyst toward the visible light range and eliminate the rapid recombination of excited electrons/holes during photoreaction, a new type ...of photocatalysts (Au/Au3+-TiO2) powder was prepared by a photoreduction/sol−gel process. The crystal phase composition, surface structure, and light absorption of the new photocatalysts were comprehensively examined by X-ray differential detection (XRD), UV−visible absorption spectra, X-ray photoelectron emission spectroscopy (XPS), and photoluminescence (PL) spectra. The photooxidation efficiencies of the photocatalysts were also evaluated in the photodegradation of methylene blue (MB) in aqueous solutions under visible light irradiation from a high-pressure sodium lamp (λ > 400 nm). The results of PL analyses in this study indicated that the gold/gold ion-doping on the surface of TiO2 could eliminate the electron/holes recombination and also increase the light absorption in the visible range. The analytical results of UV−visible diffuse reflection spectra (DRS) and optical absorption spectra indicated that a new energy level below 3.2 eV generated in the Au/Au3+-TiO2 promoted the optical absorption in the visible region and made it possible to be excited by visible light (E < 3.2 eV). The experiment demonstrated that the photooxidation efficiency of MB using the Au/Au3+-TiO2 powder were significantly higher than that using conventional TiO2 powder and an optimum molar content of gold doping/deposition in the TiO2 was 0.5%. The development of such photocatalysts may be considered a breakthrough in large-scale utilization of solar energy to address environmental needs.
The global extent and distribution of forest trees is central to our understanding of the terrestrial biosphere. We provide the first spatially continuous map of forest tree density at a global ...scale. This map reveals that the global number of trees is approximately 3.04 trillion, an order of magnitude higher than the previous estimate. Of these trees, approximately 1.39 trillion exist in tropical and subtropical forests, with 0.74 trillion in boreal regions and 0.61 trillion in temperate regions. Biome-level trends in tree density demonstrate the importance of climate and topography in controlling local tree densities at finer scales, as well as the overwhelming effect of humans across most of the world. Based on our projected tree densities, we estimate that over 15 billion trees are cut down each year, and the global number of trees has fallen by approximately 46% since the start of human civilization.
Consequent-pole permanent magnet (CPM) machines have considerable potential for low-cost applications because they can improve the permanent magnet (PM) utilization ratio. However, the phase back ...electromotive force (EMF) of CPM machines with N s /( mt ) = odd ( t is the greatest common divisor of the stator slot number N s and the rotor pole-pair number p , and m is the phase number) is asymmetric, i.e., the phase back EMF has even-order harmonics, which will increase torque ripples. This paper utilized the staggered rotor to eliminate the even-order harmonics and reduce the cogging torque of CPM machines, thereby potentially decreasing torque ripples considerably. The axial flux barrier in the middle of the rotor was used and optimized using three-dimensional finite element (FE) analysis to reduce the axial leakage flux of the CPM machine with the proposed staggered rotor. Furthermore, the axial magnetized PM was embedded in the flux barrier, which improved the flux density of the airgap above the iron-pole and, consequently, further increased the output torque. The electromagnetic performance of the proposed machine, including the open-circuit airgap flux density, back EMF, average torque, torque ripples, and PM utilization, was compared with that of the conventional CPM machine. Results showed that the proposed machine obtained a similar torque and PM utilization ratio but a much lower torque ripple compared with the conventional one.
To provide an observational basis for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change projections of a slowing Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (MOC) in the 21st century, the Overturning in ...the Subpolar North Atlantic Program (OSNAP) observing system was launched in the summer of 2014. The first 21-month record reveals a highly variable overturning circulation responsible for the majority of the heat and freshwater transport across the OSNAP line. In a departure from the prevailing view that changes in deep water formation in the Labrador Sea dominate MOC variability, these results suggest that the conversion of warm, salty, shallow Atlantic waters into colder, fresher, deep waters that move southward in the Irminger and Iceland basins is largely responsible for overturning and its variability in the subpolar basin.
Patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are at higher risk of developing invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA). However, there are limited data for this disease. To ...evaluate risk factors and the clinical characteristics of IPA in COPD patients, we conducted a hospital-based, retrospective case-control study of 30 COPD patients with IPA and 60 COPD control patients without IPA. Patients in the case group were significantly more likely to have concurrent co-morbidities than controls. Of the IPA patients, 65.4% had worsening radiological findings vs. 11.4% in the control group (p <0.001). IPA in COPD was associated with a higher proportion of mechanical ventilation (43.3% vs. 5%; p <0.001), a longer hospital stay duration (45.8 ± 39.1 days vs. 18.4 ± 11.8 days; p <0.001), and higher mortality (43.3% vs. 11.4%; p <0.001). Systemic use of steroids in the stable phase, treatment with three or more antibiotics during hospitalization and antibiotic treatment longer than 10 days were independent risk factors associated with IPA. COPD patients with obvious dyspnoea, antibiotic-resistant lower respiratory tract infection and repeated detection of Aspergillus in sputum should be considered for the possibility of IPA.
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