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Scientific Reports Oct 2022Swelling of epidermal cell walls decreases cell-to-cell adhesion and increases cracking susceptibility in sweet cherry. Ca is suggested to decrease cracking...
Swelling of epidermal cell walls decreases cell-to-cell adhesion and increases cracking susceptibility in sweet cherry. Ca is suggested to decrease cracking susceptibility by crosslinking of cell wall components and, possibly, by decreasing swelling. The objective is to test this hypothesis. The effect of Ca on swelling of anticlinal epidermal cell walls was quantified microscopically in vivo using excised skin sections and in vitro using extracted cell walls. After removal of turgor, cell wall thickness increased. Incubation in CaCl decreased cell wall thickness up to 3 mM CaCl. At higher concentrations thickness remained constant. Decreased cell wall swelling in vivo also occurred with other salts of divalent and trivalent cations, but not with those of monovalent cations. Decreased swelling was due to the Ca cation, the anions had no effect. Ca also decreased swelling of cell walls that were already swollen. CaCl also decreased swelling of extracted cell walls in vitro. There was no effect on swelling pressure. The effect on swelling increased as the CaCl concentration increased. Chlorides of divalent and trivalent cations, but not those of monovalent cations decreased swelling in vitro. The decrease in swelling among the divalent cations was linearly related to the radius of the cation. The results indicate that Ca decreases cracking susceptibility by decreasing swelling.
Topics: Calcium; Calcium Chloride; Calcium, Dietary; Cations, Divalent; Cations, Monovalent; Cell Wall; Fruit; Prunus avium; Salts
PubMed: 36192436
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-20266-9 -
Journal of Environmental Sciences... Jan 2021The strict control measures and social lockdowns initiated to combat COVID-19 epidemic have had a notable impact on air pollutant concentrations. According to...
The strict control measures and social lockdowns initiated to combat COVID-19 epidemic have had a notable impact on air pollutant concentrations. According to observation data obtained from the China National Environmental Monitoring Center, compared to levels in 2019, the average concentration of NO in early 2020 during COVID-19 epidemic has decreased by 53%, 50%, and 30% in Wuhan city, Hubei Province (Wuhan excluded), and China (Hubei excluded), respectively. Simultaneously, PM concentration has decreased by 35%, 29%, and 19% in Wuhan, Hubei (Wuhan excluded), and China (Hubei excluded), respectively. Less significant declines have also been found for SO and CO concentrations. We also analyzed the temporal variation and spatial distribution of air pollutant concentrations in China during COVID-19 epidemic. The decreases in PM and NO concentrations showed relatively consistent temporal variation and spatial distribution. These results support control of NO to further reduce PM pollution in China. The concurrent decrease in NO and PM concentrations resulted in an increase of O concentrations across China during COVID-19 epidemic, indicating that coordinated control of other pollutants is needed.
Topics: Air Pollutants; Air Pollution; Betacoronavirus; COVID-19; China; Cities; Coronavirus Infections; Environmental Monitoring; Humans; Nitrogen Dioxide; Pandemics; Particulate Matter; Pneumonia, Viral; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 33183713
DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2020.06.031 -
Animal Nutrition (Zhongguo Xu Mu Shou... Jun 2023Four multi-catheterized lactating goats were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square experiment to investigate the responses of amino acid metabolism in portal-drained viscera...
Four multi-catheterized lactating goats were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square experiment to investigate the responses of amino acid metabolism in portal-drained viscera (PDV), liver, and mammary glands to short-term varying supplies of methionine (Met). During the last 45 h in each experimental period, goats were fasted for 12 h and then abomasally infused with an amino acid (AA) mixture plus glucose for 33 h. Treatments consisted of graded removal of Met from an infused AA mixture to achieve Met content in the infusate of 100% (complete), 60%, 30%, or 0% that in casein. Graded Met removal decreased the production of milk, milk protein, lactose, and fat linearly whilst also decreasing arterial Met concentration linearly ( < 0.05). Meanwhile, net PDV uptake and liver removal of Met decreased linearly ( < 0.05) due to decreased Met affinity of PDV and liver ( < 0.05). Net mammary uptake of Met ( > 0.1) was maintained as Met supply declined. This was achieved through increased mammary affinity ( < 0.05) and increased mammary blood flow ( < 0.05) totally offsetting the negative effect of decreased circulating Met concentration. Graded removal of Met from the infusate linearly decreased mammary uptake-to-milk output ratios of Met ( < 0.05) and tended to decrease essential amino acid (EAA) linearly (0.05 < < 0.1). Treatments also linearly decreased circulating concentration of prolactin and linearly increased insulin concentration ( < 0.05). In conclusion, results of the present study indicated there were several mechanisms used to mitigate a Met deficiency, including reduced catabolism of Met in PDV, liver, and peripheral tissue (including mammary glands) and a linear increase in mammary blood flow. The observed decreases in milk protein production as Met supply decreased appear to be a result of regulatory events which may have been driven by decreased circulating prolactin, rather than as a result of decreased mammary Met uptake.
PubMed: 37123619
DOI: 10.1016/j.aninu.2023.01.006 -
Analytica Chimica Acta Jun 2020We present a novel method for concentration and purification of DNA from biological samples. The method is based on isotachophoretic separation of DNA strands in a...
We present a novel method for concentration and purification of DNA from biological samples. The method is based on isotachophoretic separation of DNA strands in a separation bed made of a disposable nonwoven fabric strip. Application of oxalate as the leading ion prevented corrosion of the carbon anode and also the leading ion was continually removed from the system due to its decomposition into CO at the anode. The fractions were marked by three colored markers of electrophoretic mobility closely surrounding the mobility of DNA. The fraction collection was realized by a centrifugal drain of cut out strip segments. The method was evaluated using two purified salmon sperm DNA fragments of lengths 200 bp and 2000 bp. The results confirmed the high DNA concentrating effect of the method (34-fold increase of the original DNA concentration). The composition of running solutions and voltage program were optimized in order to finish the analysis within 30 min. The optimized method was used to extract, concentrate and purify DNA from a crude yeast cell lysate. The maximum DNA enrichment factor decreased to 12 due to the stretching of DNA zones caused by low-molecular contaminants present in the original lysate. The average recovery determined for yeast DNA was 71 ± 11% (n = 3). The connected elimination of the proteins from DNA zones resulted in the purification factor value of 582 for DNA vs proteins. This demonstrates that the presented method is capable to concentrate DNA from the bulk volume and to further purify it from crude cell lysates using a simple instrumentation and low-cost disposable separation bed.
Topics: DNA, Fungal; Isotachophoresis; Saccharomyces cerevisiae
PubMed: 32408953
DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2020.04.029 -
Molecular Medicine Reports Sep 2021The miR‑34a/SIRT1 signaling axis is an important signaling axis in tumors and diseases. Notably, low SIRT1 expression in the intestinal tissues of patients with...
The miR‑34a/SIRT1 signaling axis is an important signaling axis in tumors and diseases. Notably, low SIRT1 expression in the intestinal tissues of patients with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) has been reported. However, whether miR‑34a/SIRT1 signaling as a target to protect the intestines during the NEC process is unclear and remains to be elucidated. Blood samples were collected from 30 patients with NEC, and an NEC rat model was used. The miR‑34a and SIRT1 gene and protein expression levels were assayed by qPCR and Western blotting method. The inflammatory cytokine levels and oxidative stress levels were detected using the ELISA method. The results demonstrated that birth weight, albumin and glucose concentrations were significantly decreased in the NEC patient group compared with the control group, but the C‑reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT) concentrations were significantly increased. The miR‑34a expression level was notably increased in the NEC group, but the SIRT1 expression level was markedly decreased. Notably, the miR‑34a was significantly correlated with NEC severity and the concentrations of CRP, PCT, IL‑6, TNF‑α, IL‑1β, IL‑8, MCP‑1, VCAM1 and malondialdehyde (MDA), but was significantly negatively correlated with SIRT1 gene expression and the concentration of IL‑10. Intestinal villi damage in NEC rats was decreased with miR‑34a inhibition and SIRT1 activation treatment by decreasing the levels of inflammatory cytokines, including IL‑6, TNF‑α, IL‑1β and IL‑8, and oxidative stress proteins, including MCP‑1, VCAM1, and MDA, as well as increasing the level of the anti‑inflammatory cytokine IL‑10. In addition, the results indicated that miR‑34a inhibition and SIRT1 activation strongly protected the intestine and decreased the damage caused by NEC, not only by decreasing the protein levels of SIRT1, TNF‑α, IL‑1β, IL‑6 and IL‑8, but also by increasing the IL‑10 protein levels. The miR‑34a inhibition and SIRT1 activation may decrease the damage caused by NEC by decreasing proinflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress proteins and by increasing the anti‑inflammatory cytokine pathway. Based on the aforementioned analysis, the miR‑34a and SIRT1 proteins may be potential novel therapeutic targets in NEC.
Topics: Animals; Animals, Newborn; Correlation of Data; Cytokines; Disease Models, Animal; Down-Regulation; Enterocolitis, Necrotizing; Female; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Inflammation; Male; MicroRNAs; Oxidative Stress; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Signal Transduction; Sirtuin 1; Rats
PubMed: 34296298
DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2021.12303 -
Journal of Dairy Science Jul 2021The consequences of supplementing Lys, Met, and Thr in milk replacers (MR) for calves have been widely studied, but scarce information exists about potential roles of...
The consequences of supplementing Lys, Met, and Thr in milk replacers (MR) for calves have been widely studied, but scarce information exists about potential roles of other AA (whether essential or not). The effects on growth performance of supplementation of 4 different AA combinations in a mixed ration (25.4% crude protein and 20.3% fat) based on skim milk powder and whey protein concentrate were evaluated in 76 Holstein male calves (3 ± 1.7 d old). The 4 MR were as follows: CTRL with no AA supplementation; PG, supplying additional 0.3% Pro and 0.1% Gly; FY, supplying additional 0.2% Phe and 0.2% Tyr; and KMT, providing additional 0.62% Lys, 0.22% Met, and 0.61% Thr. All calves were fed the same milk allowance program and were weaned at 56 d of study. Concentrate intake was limited to minimize interference of potential differences in solid feed intake among treatments. Animals were weighed weekly, intakes recorded daily, and blood samples obtained at 2, 5, and 7 wk of study to determine serum urea and plasma AA concentrations. Plasma AA concentrations were explored using compositional data analysis, and their isometric log-ratio transformations were used to analyze their potential influence on ADG and serum urea concentration using a linear mixed-effects model. We detected no differences in calf performance and feed intake. Plasma relative concentration of the AA supplemented in the KMT and PG treatments increased in their respective treatments, and, in PG calves, a slight increase in the proportion of plasma Gly, Glu, and branched-chain AA was also observed. The proportions of plasma branched-chain AA, His, and Gln increased, and those of Thr, Arg, Lys, and Glu decreased with calves' age. A specific log-contrast balance formed by Arg, Thr, and Lys was found to be the main driver for lowering serum urea concentrations and increasing calf growth. The use of compositional mixed-effects models identified a cluster formed by the combination of Arg, Thr, and Lys, as a potential AA to optimize calf growth.
Topics: Amino Acids; Animal Feed; Animals; Cattle; Diet; Dietary Supplements; Male; Milk; Milk Substitutes
PubMed: 33865583
DOI: 10.3168/jds.2020-20035 -
Low duty cycle pulse trains for exchange rate insensitive chemical exchange saturation transfer MRI.Magnetic Resonance in Medicine Nov 2021To introduce and validate a pulse scheme that uses low duty cycle trains of π-pulses to achieve saturation that is relatively insensitive to exchange rate yet linearly...
PURPOSE
To introduce and validate a pulse scheme that uses low duty cycle trains of π-pulses to achieve saturation that is relatively insensitive to exchange rate yet linearly dependent on labile proton concentration.
METHODS
Simulations were performed to explore the exchange rate sensitivity of π-pulse trains and continuous wave chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) signals. Creatine phantoms with varying pH and varying concentrations were imaged to demonstrate pH insensitivity and concentration dependence of low duty cycle π-pulse saturation.
RESULTS
Simulations show decreasing the duty cycle of π-pulse saturation decreases peak sensitivity to exchange rate, and this range of insensitivity can be tuned to different exchange rates through average B power. The range of insensitivity is unaffected by changes in relaxation and magnetization transfer, while the sensitivity of CEST signal maintains linear dependence on labile proton concentration. Under B = 0.48 μT, 30 mM creatine with pHs ranging between 6.36 and 8.21 exhibited CEST contrast ranging between ~6 and 11% under continuous wave and ~4% across all pHs using 10% duty cycle π-pulses. Imaging these phantoms using duty cycles of 5, 10, 25, and 50% showed decreasing pH sensitivity with decreased duty cycle. Creatine phantoms with varied concentrations and pHs reveal that π-pulse train saturation exhibited stricter correlation to concentration at lower DCs.
CONCLUSION
Low DC π-pulse train is an easy-to-implement way of providing labile proton concentration-dependent CEST MRI signal that is insensitive to exchange rate. This approach can be useful in studies where a change of chemical exchange rate may interfere with accurate assessments of physiology or pathology.
Topics: Creatine; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Phantoms, Imaging; Protons
PubMed: 34196028
DOI: 10.1002/mrm.28896 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Aug 2022For the purpose of determining the high-purity purification of indole () contained in wash oil in concentrations of 5.75%, this study, first of all, investigated the...
Purification of Indole Contained in Wash Oil by Combination of Extraction and Crystallization (Part 1: Recovery and Concentration of Indole Contained in Wash Oil by Solvent Extraction).
For the purpose of determining the high-purity purification of indole () contained in wash oil in concentrations of 5.75%, this study, first of all, investigated the concentration of contained in wash oil using a combination of methanol extraction to recover in the wash oil, and n-hexane re-extraction to concentrate present in the extract phase, recovered through methanol extraction. In order to examine the effect of each operation on the recovery and concentration of contained in the wash oil, batch 1-stage and batch co-current 5-stage distribution equilibrium was performed simultaneously. As 5-stage equilibrium extraction and re-extraction progressed, the recovery rate of decreased to about 79.1%, while composition in the raffinate phase recovered by re-extraction was highly concentrated to about 73.3%. From the high recovery rate and composition of obtained through this study, we confirmed that the combination examined by this study was one of the very useful combinations for the concentration of present in the wash oil. Furthermore, we reviewed the recovery and concentration process of contained in the wash oil using the experiment results of the extraction and the re-extraction obtained from this study.
Topics: Crystallization; Indoles; Methanol; Solvents
PubMed: 36014569
DOI: 10.3390/molecules27165331 -
Water Science and Technology : a... May 2023The effects of operating pressure, feed temperature, oil content of feed solution, and membrane surface flow rate on membrane flux, concentration multiple, and average...
The effects of operating pressure, feed temperature, oil content of feed solution, and membrane surface flow rate on membrane flux, concentration multiple, and average particle size of oil droplets in the concentrated solution during the single-stage membrane concentration process were investigated. The experimental results show that within a certain operating range, the membrane flux increases with the increase of operating pressure, feed temperature, and membrane surface flow rate, while it decreases continuously with the increase of feed oil content. Optimal conditions for single stage concentration based on membrane flux, concentration factor, and average particle size of oil droplets in the concentrated solution were determined. Then, on the basis of single-stage membrane concentration conditions, three different pore size separation membranes are combined in different ways. After concentration through multi-stage membranes, the particle size of the oil droplets in the concentrate is greater than 20 μm, which is beyond the particle size range of the emulsified oil, and the concentration of the oil in the concentrate is 20-30 times that of the original oil. The method can realize the recovery of oil resources in the emulsified oil-containing wastewater.
Topics: Wastewater; Oils; Technology; Temperature; Membranes, Artificial
PubMed: 37186616
DOI: 10.2166/wst.2023.111 -
Journal of Pharmaceutical Health Care... Nov 2023Tedizolid is an oxazolidinone anti-MRSA drug with included in the National Health Insurance Drug Price List in 2018. The effect of hemodialysis on tedizolid phosphate...
BACKGROUND
Tedizolid is an oxazolidinone anti-MRSA drug with included in the National Health Insurance Drug Price List in 2018. The effect of hemodialysis on tedizolid phosphate concentrations has been reported; pre-dialysis concentrations decreased by 10% compared to post- dialysis concentrations. However, the material of the dialysis membrane remains unknown. In addition, there have been no reports on the effects of continuous hemodiafiltration. In this study, we investigated the effects of continuous hemodiafiltration on tedizolid using two types of dialysis membranes made of different materials.
METHODS
The adsorption of tedizolid, linezolid, and vancomycin to two different dialysis membranes was investigated, and the clearance of each drug was calculated by experiments using an in vitro continuous hemodiafiltration model.
RESULTS
The adsorption of tedizolid, linezolid, and vancomycin on the dialysis membranes was examined, and no adsorption was observed. Experimental results from the continuous hemodiafiltration model showed that linezolid and vancomycin concentrations decreased over time: after two hours, the respective decreases were 26.48 ± 7.14% and 28.51 ± 2.32% for polysulfone membranes, respectively. The decrease was 23.57 ± 4.95% and 28.73 ± 5.13% for the polymethylmethacrylate membranes, respectively. These results suggested that linezolid and vancomycin were eliminated by continuous hemodiafiltration. In contrast, tedizolid phosphate and tedizolid concentrations decreased slightly in the polysulfone and polymethylmethacrylate membranes. The decrease in concentrations were 2.10 ± 0.77% and 2.97 ± 0.60% for the polysulfone membranes, respectively. For the polymethylmethacrylate membranes, the decrease in concentration were 2.01 ± 0.88% and 1.73 ± 0.27%, respectively.
CONCLUSION
These results suggested that tedizolid should not be considered for dose control during continuous hemodiafiltration.
PubMed: 37957772
DOI: 10.1186/s40780-023-00307-9