Effects of corn stalk cultivation substrate on the growth of the slippery mushroom (Pholiota microspora)

Corn stalks are a major source of agricultural waste in China that have the potential for more efficient utilisation. In this study, we designed substrate formulas with different proportions of corn stalks to cultivate Pholiota microspora. The substrate formula for P. microspora cultivation that could partially or completely replace sawdust with corn stalks was selected through the analysis of mycelial growth rates, fruiting body traits, yield, biological efficiency, nutrients, and mineral composition. Our results showed that the substrate formula T2 (38% wood chips and 38% corn stalks) resulted in the highest yield of 275.66 ± 2.87 g per bag, which was 6.60% higher than that of formula CK, and the highest biological efficiency of 90.75 ± 0.04%, which was 4.58% higher than that of CK, with no significant differences from CK in terms of fruiting body traits, nutrients, or mineral composition. The substrate formula T1 (19% corn stalks) led to mushroom yields with the highest mineral and amino acid contents and was thus more suitable for the cultivation of medicinal P. microspora. Therefore, substrates comprising a mixture of corn stalks and sawdust can be used as a novel, inexpensive, and high-yield alternative for the cultivation of P. microspora.

Corn stalks are a major source of agricultural waste in China that have the potential for more efficient utilisation. In this study, we designed substrate formulas with different proportions of corn stalks to cultivate the Pholiota microspora.     

桑白皮的薄层色谱鉴别方法研究

目的 研究桑白皮具有专属性的薄层色谱鉴别法。方法 用薄层色谱法,取桑白皮与混淆品种根皮的乙醇提取物,选择不同的展开剂展开,在紫外灯下检视荧光或三氯化铁显色,找出桑白皮特有斑点。结果 以CHCl3-MeOH(5:1)为展开剂,三氯化铁显色,桑白皮色谱中,在与混淆品种色谱相应位置上,显一个特有的紫色斑点。结论 特有斑点可作为桑白皮专属性的定性对照品,波谱分析鉴定为桑根酮C。     

Identification of major and minor constituents of Harpagophytum procumbens (Devil's claw) using HPLC-SPE-NMR and HPLC-ESIMS/APCIMS

The HPLC-SPE-NMR technique, supported by HPLC-MS measurements, was used to determine structures of major as well as some minor constituents of ethanol and petroleum ether extracts of Harpagophytum procumbens (Devil's claw) roots. This method was also shown to be applicable for rapid and precise on-line identification of secondary metabolites present in commercial herbal products of H. procumbens. A total of 15 compounds (1-14 and 17) were identified from the ethanol and petroleum ether extracts, including a novel Diels-Alder dimer 14. Optimization of the HPLC-SPE-NMR experiments included quantitative (1)H NMR measurements, determination of trapping and elution efficiency, effect of multiple trapping of analytes, use of various deuterated solvents for SPE cartridge elution, and effect of post-column dilution ratio of eluent with water. Linear accumulation of apolar and relatively polar analytes was demonstrated for at least 8-10 repeated trappings, resulting in greatly improved signal-to-noise ratios in NMR spectra and reduced acquisition times. Thus, the HPLC-SPE-NMR technique provides an efficient means of identification of multiple components of crude extracts. By allowing on-line generation of high-quality 2D NMR data without traditional purification of extract components, the HPLC-SPE-NMR methodology represents a paradigm shift in natural products research with respect to structure elucidation.     

The decline of butterflies in Europe: Problems,significance, and possible solutions

We review changes in the status of butterflies in Europe, focusing on long-running population data available for the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Belgium, based on standardized monitoring transects. In the United Kingdom, 8% of resident species have become extinct, and since 1976 overall numbers declined by around 50%. In the Netherlands, 20% of species have become extinct, and since 1990 overall numbers in the country declined by 50%. Distribution trends showed that butterfly distributions began decreasing long ago, and between 1890 and 1940, distributions declined by 80%. In Flanders (Belgium), 20 butterflies have become extinct (29%), and between 1992 and 2007 overall numbers declined by around 30%. A European Grassland Butterfly Indicator from 16 European countries shows there has been a 39% decline of grassland butterflies since 1990. The 2010 Red List of European butterflies listed 38 of the 482 European species (8%) as threatened and 44 species (10%) as near threatened (note that 47 species were not assessed). A country level analysis indicates that the average Red List rating is highest in central and mid-Western Europe and lowest in the far north of Europe and around the Mediterranean. The causes of the decline of butterflies are thought to be similar in most countries, mainly habitat loss and degradation and chemical pollution. Climate change is allowing many species to spread northward while bringing new threats to susceptible species. We describe examples of possible conservation solutions and a summary of policy changes needed to conserve butterflies and other insects.     

Modeling of Melt Flow and Heat Transfer in Stationary Gas Tungsten Arc Welding with Vertical and Tilted Torches

A 3D numerical simulation was conducted to study the transient development of temperature distribution in stationary gas tungsten arc welding with filler wire. Heat transfer to the filler wire and the workpiece was investigated with vertical (90°) and titled (70°) torches. Heat flux, current flux, and gas drag force were calculated from the steady-state simulation of the arc. The temperature in the filler wire was determined at three different time intervals: 0.12 s, 0.24 s, and 0.36 s. The filler wire was assumed not to deform during this short time, and was therefore simulated as solid. The temperature in the workpiece was calculated at the same intervals using heat flux, current flux, gas drag force, Marangoni convection, and buoyancy. It should be noted that heat transfer to the filler wire was faster with the titled torch compared to the vertical torch. Heat flux to the workpiece was asymmetrical with both the vertical and tilted torches when the filler wire was fully inserted into the arc. It was found that the overall trends of temperature contours for both the arc and the workpiece were in good agreement. It was also observed that more heat was transferred to the filler wire with the 70° torch compared with the 90° torch. The melted volume of the filler wire (volume above 1750 °K) was 12 mm³ with the 70° torch, compared to 9.2 mm³ with the 90° torch.     

Inhibition of NF-κB Signaling Reduces Virus Load and Gammaherpesvirus-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis

IgA nephropathy (IgAN) and Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) are diseases characterized by IgA deposits in the kidney and/or skin. Both may arise after upper respiratory tract infections, but the pathogenic mechanisms governing these diseases remain unclear. Patients with IgAN (n = 16) and HSP (n = 17) were included in this study aimed at examining whether IgA-binding M proteins of group A streptococci could be involved. As M proteins vary in sequence, the study focused on the IgA-binding-region (IgA-BR) of three different M proteins: M4, M22, and M60. Renal tissue from IgAN and HSP patients and skin from HSP patients were examined for deposits of streptococcal IgA-BR by immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy using specific antibodies, and a skin sample from a HSP patient was examined by mass spectrometry. IgA-BR deposits were detected in 10/16 IgAN kidneys and 7/13 HSP kidneys. Electron microscopy demonstrated deposits of IgA-BRs in the mesangial matrix and glomerular basement membrane, which colocalized with IgA. Skin samples exhibited IgA-BR deposits in 4/5 biopsies, a result confirmed by mass spectrometry in one patient. IgA-BR deposits were not detected in normal kidney and skin samples. Taken together, these results demonstrate IgA-BR from streptococcal M proteins in patient tissues. IgA-BR, would on gaining access to the circulation, encounter circulatory IgA and form a complex with IgA-Fc that could deposit in tissues and contribute to the pathogenesis of IgAN and HSP.Tissue deposits containing IgA characterize IgA nephropathy (IgAN) and Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP), two conditions affecting kidney function. IgAN is the most common primary glomerulonephritis worldwide. Its predominant clinical feature is episodic macroscopic hematuria usually coinciding with upper respiratory tract infections. Symptoms may, however, vary from microscopic hematuria to a severe nephritic-nephrotic syndrome. End-stage kidney disease occurs in 30% to 40% of patients within 20 years. Histopathologically IgAN is characterized by mesangial cell proliferation and in progressive cases crescent formation as well as glomerular sclerosis, interstitial fibrosis, and tubular atrophy. Ultramorphologic findings show mesangial deposits of immune complexes containing predominantly IgA.^1,2HSP is the most common form of vasculitis in childhood. It may affect many organs, but usually presents as skin lesions, varying from purpura to bullous intradermal bleedings, arthritis, gastrointestinal involvement with pain and/or bleeding. Renal involvement occurs in up to 50% of cases³ and is known as Henoch-Schönlein nephropathy (HSN). HSN may manifest as microscopic or macroscopic hematuria as well as glomerulonephritis or nephrotic syndrome. Approximately 20% of HSN cases will develop renal failure.⁴ The histopathological lesion termed leukocytoclastic vasculitis is characterized by inflammation of small vessels with perivascular polymorphonuclear leukocyte and mononuclear cell infiltrates. Immune deposits in affected organs contain IgA, and renal pathology resembles that seen in IgAN.^1,3The IgA mesangial deposits in kidneys of patients with IgAN and HSP are primarily composed of galactose-deficient IgA1.^5,6,7 The mechanism by which under-glycosylated IgA1 deposits in the mesangium, possibly in complex with IgG,^8,9 has not been determined. Environmental antigens have been proposed to contribute to the disease but have not been consistently associated with mesangial deposits.⁹ Although the etiology of IgAN and HSP is unclear, these diseases are often preceded by infections, primarily of the upper respiratory tract, and an infectious agent has therefore been suspected. There is circumstantial evidence for involvement of group A streptococcus (GAS, Streptococcus pyogenes),^{10,11,12,13,14,15} but infections with other bacteria^16,17 as well as viruses¹⁸ have been implicated as well.In this study we hypothesized that GAS infection could trigger IgAN and/or HSN, because GAS is a very common cause of upper respiratory tract infection, and because many GAS strains bind IgA-Fc.^19,20,21 The ability of a GAS strain to bind human IgA results from the presence of an IgA-binding region (IgA-BR) in the surface-localized M protein.^22,23 The fibrillar M protein, which is a major virulence factor of GAS, varies in sequence between strains²⁴ allowing classification of GAS isolates into more than 120 M serotypes.²⁵ The exact function of the IgA-BR in an M protein is not known, but there is evidence that it contributes to bacterial phagocytosis resistance.²⁶ The IgA-BR of an M protein represents a distinct domain that can be studied in isolated form, as a peptide that binds IgA.^27,28 Such IgA-binding peptides, designated Sap (streptococcal IgA-binding peptide), were used in the experiments described herein.To analyze whether IgA-binding streptococcal M proteins are present in affected tissues of patients with IgAN and/or HSP, and colocalize with IgA, we used antibodies to the IgA-BR of three different M proteins M4, M22, and M60. Of note, M4 and M22 are among the most common serotypes of clinical GAS isolates.²⁹ As the IgA-BRs of different M proteins vary extensively in sequence,^22,23 the use of antibodies to three different serotypes enhanced our chances to detect tissue deposition of an IgA-BR.     

Fournier坏疽的解剖学基础及其临床意义

目的探讨Fournier坏疽的解剖学特征,为临床诊治提供指导。方法收集1997年1月至2011年6月收治的Fournier坏疽患者21例临床资料,结合文献进行分析讨论。结果 1例（1/21,4.76%）因并发脓毒血症导致多器官脏器衰竭死亡。糖尿病为最常见合并症（3/21,14.29%）。Fournier坏疽患者病变沿各部浅筋膜深层范围进行延伸（17/21,80.95%）,少有侵透深筋膜（1/21,4.76%）。Fournier坏疽常见致病菌为链球菌、大肠杆菌、金黄色葡萄球菌、拟杆菌、梭状芽孢杆菌等,其中6例（6/21,28.57%）患者脓液中培养出2种以上细菌。结论掌握Fournier综合征的病理生理及解剖学特性,有助于对患者的病情和预后做出及时准确的诊断和治疗。     

Regulation of hepatocyte activator inhibitor-1 expression by androgen and oncogenic transformation in the prostate

Hepatocyte activator inhibitor-1 (HAI-1) is a transmembrane serine protease inhibitor that regulates the conversion of latent to active hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). Studies supporting a role for the HGF pathway in prostate carcinogenesis prompted an analysis of HAI-1 expression in the prostate. Here we analyze the regulation of HAI-1 expression by androgen, oncogenic transformation, and cancer progression. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that HAI-1 expression was restricted to prostate epithelium, where staining occurred primarily in basal and atrophic luminal epithelial cells. Compared to normal glands, HAI-1 expression was significantly increased in localized prostate cancer and was present in most prostate cancer metastases. HAI-1 protein expression levels were sensitive to androgen in normal epithelium but not in cancer. Although androgen did not increase HAI-1 protein expression levels in LNCaP cells, it decreased HAI-1 surface expression, consistent with previous data from our group (Martin DB, Gifford DR, Wright ME, Keller A, Yi E, Goodlett DR, Aebersold R, Nelson PS: Quantitative proteomic analysis of proteins released by neoplastic prostate epithelium. Cancer Res 2004, 64:347-355). HAI-1 overexpression in cancer was predictive of prostate-specific antigen recurrence (relative risk, 1.24). These results suggest that HAI-1 regulates the HGF Met axis on prostate epithelial cells and influences HGF mediated tumor invasion and metastasis.