An organic luminescent molecule: what will happen when the "butterflies" come together?

Cross dipole stacking based on a novel fluorescent molecule, 9,10-bis (2,2-diphenylvinyl) anthracene (BDPVA), is presented. The butterfly-like structure of BDPVA is the key feature to form the unique aggregation structure and such a stacking mode is highly beneficial for fluorescence emission, resulting in high-performance amplified spontaneous emission and electroluminescence of BDPVA.

Folic acid-functionalized AIE Pdots based on amphiphilic PCL-b-PEG for targeted cell imaging

Folic acid-functionalized polymer dots with aggregation induced emission features (AIE Pdots), which show high fluorescence efficiency and little toxicity to living cells, which possess a good capability for targeted HeLa intracellular imaging.

Stereoselective adsorption utilizing l-phenylalanine imprinting chiral ordered mesoporous silica

l-Phenylalanine imprinting chiral ordered mesoporous silica (l-Phe-COMS) was endowed with unique structural features, showing a high stereoselective adsorption factor of up to 3.24 for l-phenylalanine over d-phenylalanine.

Expression profiles of key transcription factors involved in lipid metabolism in Beijing-You chickens

Intramuscular fat (IMF) is a crucial factor for the meat quality of chickens. With the aim of studying the molecular mechanisms underlying IMF deposition in chickens, the expression profiles of five candidate transcription factors involved in lipid metabolism in several tissues were examined in Beijing-You (BJY) chickens at five ages (0, 4, 8, 14 and 20 wk). Results showed that accumulation of IMF in breast (IMFbr), thigh (IMFth) and abdominal fat weight increased significantly (P<0.01) after 8 wk. Accumulation of both IMFbr and IMFth from 8 to 14 wk exceeded that from 14 to 20 wk; IMFth was 4-7 times of IMFbr. As for the expression profiles of key transcription factors: 1) expression of C/EBPα and PPARγ in abdominal fat was significantly higher than that in breast and thigh muscles at all ages. The expression of C/EBPα was positively correlated with PPARγ in both breast and thigh muscles, which indicated that both C/EBPα and PPARγ promoted fat deposition and might act through a unified pathway; 2) the expression of SREBP-1 in 0, 4, and 8 wk in thigh muscle was significantly higher than that in breast; 3) expression of C/EBPβ at 4 and 8 wk was significantly higher than that at 14 and 20 wk; and it was positively correlated with IMFth and IMFbr from 0 to 8 wk; 4) expression of PPARα in breast and thigh muscles was significantly higher than that in abdominal fat. Taken together, all five transcription factors studied play roles in lipid metabolism in chickens with C/EBPα and PPARγ being important effectors.

An electrochemical surface plasmon resonance imaging system targeting cell analysis

This paper presents an electrochemical-surface plasmon resonance imaging (EC-SPRI) system, enabling the characterization of optical and electrical properties of cells, simultaneously. The developed surface plasmon resonance (SPR) imaging system was capable of imaging micro cavities with a dimension of 10 μm × 10 μm and differentiated glycerol solutions with a group of refractive indices (RIs). Furthermore, the EC-SPRI system was used to image A549 cells, suggesting corresponding RI and morphology changes during the cell death process. In the end, electrochemical and SPR methods were used in combination, recording oxidation peaks of A549 cells in the cyclic voltage curves and SPR response unit increase, simultaneously.

[Arthroscopy-assisted treatment of severe comminuted distal radial fracture using external fixators]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the outcomes of arthroscopy-assisted treatment of severe comminuted distal radial fracture with external fixators and kirschner wire fixation.

METHODS

Twenty-seven cases of severe comminuted distal radial fracture treated between March, 2010 and January, 2012 were reviewed. During the operation, the carpal joint space was expanded with the external fixator, and the fracture was fixed by Kirschner wire after open reduction. The carpal joint was observed intraoperatively with arthroscopy to ensure full reduction, and the distal posterior interosseous nerve was then severed. The results of postoperative X-ray and wrist functional status of the carpal joints were recorded. Another 27 cases of severe comminuted distal radial fracture treated by conventional surgical approach served as the control group.

RESULTS

The patients were followed up for a mean of 13.2 (5-27) months. Compared with the conventional surgical approach, arthroscopy-assisted treatment resulted in a significantly shorter operative time with better appearance of the articular surface and also better wrist function assessed using the Krimmer system (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Arthroscopy-assisted external fixator treatment is effective for management of severe comminuted distal radial fracture and avoids the stair-like appearance of the articular surface to achieve the maximal functional recovery of the carpal joints and reduce traumatic arthritis.

Resource allocation for cellular data services using multiagent schemes

Because the radio spectrum is limited, managing the limited amount of resources is an important issue, especially for high-speed data applications. This paper presents a distributed multiagent scheme (DMAS) that was developed for supporting resource allocation in a customer-accepted and cost-effective fashion. The scheme consists of a collection of problem-solving agents with three modules built into the scheme: the knowledge source, the blackboard system, and the control engine. Through operations and cooperation among the active agents, an allocation policy is selected and a customer-accepted schedule that meets the specified quality of service (QoS) is generated. A comparison of the performance between the DMAS scheme and other references previously proposed was derived using a 55 microcell model. It was found that the proposed scheme gave the highest quality of service satisfaction (around 90% at light loading and 60% at heavy loading).

Effects of monochromatic light on mucosal mechanical and immunological barriers in the small intestine of broilers

Our previous studies demonstrated that green and blue monochromatic lights were effective to stimulate immune response of the spleen in broilers. This study was designed to investigate the effects of monochromatic light on both gut mucosal mechanical and immunological barriers. A total of 120 Arbor Acre male broilers on post-hatching day (P) 0 were exposed to red light, green light (GL), blue light (BL), and white light (WL) for 49 d, respectively. As compared with broilers exposed to WL, the broilers exposed to GL showed that the villus height of small intestine was increased by 19.5% (P = 0.0205) and 38.8% (P = 0.0149), the crypt depth of small intestine was decreased by 15.1% (P = 0.0049) and 10.1% (P = 0.0005), and the ratios of villus height to crypt depth were increased by 39.3% (P < 0.0001) and 52.5% (P < 0.0001) at P7 and P21, respectively. Until P49, an increased villus height (33.6%, P = 0.0076), a decreased crypt depth (15.4%, P = 0.0201), and an increased villus height-to-crypt depth ratio (58.5%, P < 0.0001) were observed in the BL group as compared with the WL group. On the other hand, the numbers of intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes (27.9%, P < 0.0001 and 37.0%, P < 0.0001), goblet cells (GC, 22.1%, P < 0.0001 and 18.1%, P < 0.0001), and IgA(+) cells (14.8%, P = 0.0543 and 47.9%, P = 0.0377) in the small intestine were significantly increased in the GL group as compared with the WL group at P7 and P21, respectively. The numbers of intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes (36.2%, P < 0.0001), GC (26.5%, P < 0.0001), and IgA(+) cells (68.0%, P = 0.0177) in the BL group were also higher than those in the WL group at P49. These results suggest that both mucosal mechanical and immunological barriers of the small intestine may be improved by rearing broilers under GL at an early age and under BL at an older age.

An overview of odorant-binding protein functions in insect peripheral olfactory reception

Insect olfactory perception involves many aspects of insect life, and can directly or indirectly evoke either individual or group behaviors. Insect olfactory receptors and odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) are considered to be crucial to insect-specific and -sensitive olfaction. Although the mechanisms of interaction between OBPs or OBP/ligand complex with olfactory receptors are still not well understood, it has been shown that many OBPs contribute to insect olfactory perception at various levels. Some of these are numerous and divergent members in OBP family; expression in the olfactory organ at high concentration; a variety of combinational patterns between different OBPs and ligands, but exclusive affinity for one OBP to specific binding ligands; complicated interactions between OBP/ligand complex and transmembrane proteins (olfactory receptors or sensory neuron membrane proteins). First, we review OBPs' ligand-binding property based on OBP structural research and ligand-binding test; then, we review current progress around the points cited above to show the role of such proteins in insect olfactory signal transmission; finally, we discuss applications based on insect OBP research.

Comparison of breast muscle meat quality in 2 broiler breeds

On the basis of meat quality traits, muscle fiber characteristics, and nutrient components and contents in chickens at market age, 120-d-old Beijing-you (BJY) chickens (the Chinese local breed) had distinct breast muscle features when compared with 42-d-old Arbor Acres (AA) chickens (the genetically improved broiler line). The phospholipid (P < 0.05) and essential fatty acid (P < 0.05) contents in BJY chickens were significantly higher than those in AA chickens. No differences (P > 0.05) were found between the breeds in the contents of polyunsaturated fatty acids, unsaturated fatty acids, protein, or amino acids. Breast muscle fiber diameter was significantly smaller (~55.76%) and fiber density was higher (~174.86%) in BJY chickens than in AA chickens (P < 0.05). In this study, breast muscle from 120-d-old BJY chickens was judged to have better quality of phospholipids and essential fatty acid contents and muscle fiber characteristics than breast muscle from 42-d-old AA chickens.

X-Ray spectra and electronic correlations of FeSe(1-x)Te(x)

Critical issues concerning emerging Fe-based superconductors include the degree of electron correlation and the origin of the superconductivity. X-Ray absorption spectra (XAS) and resonant inelastic X-ray scattering spectra (RIXS) of FeSe(1-x)Te(x) (x = 0-1) single crystals were obtained to study their electronic properties that relate to electron correlation and superconductivity. The linewidth of Fe L(2,3)-edges XAS of FeSe(1-x)Te(x) is narrower than that of Fe-pnictides, revealing the difference between their hybridization effects and localization character and those of other Fe-pnictides. While no significant differences exist between the Fe L-edge XAS and RIXS of FeSe(1-x)Te(x) and those of Fe-pnictides, Se K-edge and Te K-edge XAS exhibit substantial edge shift, suggesting that the superconductivity in an Fe-Se superconductor is strongly associated with the ligand states. A comparison of the Se K-edge and Te K-edge spectra reveals that the charge transfer may occur between Se and Te. Given the Coulomb interaction and the bandwidth, the spectral results indicate that FeSe(1-x)Te(x) is unlikely to be a weakly correlated system unlike the Fe-pnictides of the "1111" and "122" families. The spectral results further demonstrate that superconductivity in this class of Fe-based compounds is strongly associated with the ligand 4p hole state.

Effect of dietary supplemental nicotinic acid on growth performance, carcass characteristics and meat quality in three genotypes of chicken

The effects of dietary supplemental nicotinic acid (NA) on growth performance, carcass characteristics and meat quality were investigated in three genotypes of chicken. Fast-growing AA (Arbor Acres) broilers were compared with two genotypes of a slow-growing local breed, Beijing-You, that had undergone selection for and against intramuscular fat content respectively (BJY+IMF and BJY-IMF). The treatments were arranged 3×4 factorial completely randomized design. Day-old females (n=624) were allocated to four treatments with six replicates per treatment and fed diets (basal contained ~25 mg NA/kg) supplemented with 0, 30, 60 and 120 mg NA/kg. A sample of 72 birds from each genotype was slaughtered at market time (8 weeks of age for AA and 16 weeks of age for BJY). The breast muscles of AA broilers were darker, had less redness and yellowness, lower drip loss and higher shear force as compared to the BJY genotypes (p<0.01). The highest drip loss and the lowest shear force among the three genotypes were apparent in BJY+IMF (p<0.01). Increasing supplementation from 0 to 60 mg NA/kg tended to increase average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake, width of intermuscular fat band, thickness of subcutaneous fat (including skin) and percentage of abdominal fat but, for most variables, values decreased slightly with 120 mg NA/kg. Increasing supplementation to 60 mg NA/kg decreased (quadratic, p<0.001) drip loss, but it increased at 120 mg NA/kg. The present results indicate that (i) the AA broilers fed corn-soybean meal based-diets require approximately 60 mg NA/kg to maximize ADG and meat product yield and decrease the drip loss of breast muscle; (ii) the addition of 30 mg NA/kg meets the requirement of BJY genotypes; and (iii) there seems to be no beneficial effect of NA supplementation on chicken meat quality except for limiting the drip loss.

Correlation between polymorphisms in ADSL and GARS-AIRS-GART genes with inosine 5'-monophosphate (IMP) contents in Beijing-you chickens

1. The association of single nucleotide polymorphisms identified within the ADSL (adenylosuccinate lyase deficiency) gene and GARS-AIRS-GART (glycinamide ribonucleotide synthetase-aminoimidazole ribonucleotide synthetase-glycinamide ribonucleotide transformylase) gene with the content of inosine 5'-monophosphate (IMP) was studied in a population of male Beijing-you (BJY) chickens slaughtered at 90 d of age. 2. A single nucleotide polymorphism in exon 2 of the ADSL gene had an effect on IMP content. Chickens inheriting the positive allele at ADSL, both homozygous and heterozygous genotypes, had a higher content of IMP in breast muscle than did individuals without it. 3. Similar results were obtained for the GARS-AIRS-GART gene. The marker at the 5' untranslated region (UTR) of the GARS-AIRS-GART gene was also significant for the IMP value. Chickens inheriting the genotypes with the positive allele at this locus had a much higher content of IMP than did those homozygous for the unfavourable one. 4. Interactions between ADSL and GARS-AIRS-GART were detected for such traits as body weight and muscle yields in the tested population. The two loci acted in an additive fashion. Because IMP is one of the most important flavour components in meat, markers developed at these two genes, as well as the combination genotypes, could be used as potential molecular markers for improving chicken quality.

[HPLC fingerprint of Pericarpium Citri Reticultae from Guangdong province]

OBJECTIVE

To establish chromatographic fingerprint of Pericarpium Citri Reticultae from Guangdong province by HPLC and comparison of citrus herbs similarity with different strains and different origin, it was expected to fix standard of quality control.

METHODS

26 samples' analysis was performed on Diamonsil C18 column (250 mm x 4.6 mm, 5 microm) with gradient mobile phase of acetonitrile-1% acetic acid,fingerprint was finished in 65 min, the monitoring wavelength was at 330 nm with the flow rate of 1.0 mL/min.

RESULTS

Establishing the fingerprint of Pericarpium Citri Reticultae from Guangdong province, 17 common peaks were found in the HPLC fingerprints from different sources, the similarity of Pericarpium Citri Reticultae from Guangdong province above 0.975 and quite different for different origin drugs.

CONCLUSION

This method is simple, accurate with good reproducibility, and can be used specifically for the quality control of Pericarpium Citri Reticultae from Guangdong province.

Effect of conjugated linoleic acid on growth performances, carcase composition, plasma lipoprotein lipase activity and meat traits of chickens

1. The effects of dietary conjugated linoleic acid isomers (CLAs) on productive traits, carcase yield and meat quality were investigated in Beijingyou (Chinese) chickens. A total of 360 male chicks were allocated to 5 dietary treatments (0.00, 0.25, 0.50, 1.00 and 2.00% CLA) and fed for 126 d. 2. The results showed that CLA supplementation did not significantly influence body weight, but increased feed conversion and decreased intramuscular fat in breast and thigh muscles. Mortality was significantly higher in the control group. 3. The addition of 1.0 and 2.0% CLA decreased abdominal fat percentages. At CLA dietary levels greater than 0.5%, lipoprotein lipase activity in plasma was significantly decreased. 4. Hunter L* and a* values were not significantly affected by CLA supplementation. However, Hunter b* values were lower in chickens supplemented at levels greater than 0.5% CLA. Supplementing diets with CLA modified the fatty acid composition of breast muscle. The proportions of CLA, saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids were increased whereas the proportion of monounsaturated fatty acids was decreased.

Effects of dietary vitamin E on immunological stress of layers and their offspring

In the present study, two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of vitamin E (VE) supplementation of a commercial layer diet on the laying performance and immunological stress responses of hens and their offspring. In experiment 1, responses to increased dietary VE levels were evaluated on 180 White Leghorn layers between 20 and 35 weeks of age. There were three levels of VE in the diets (0, 40 and 100 IU/kg) and five replicates per treatment, each containing 12 hens. Results showed that the high level of VE supplementation (100 IU/kg) had a beneficial effect on feed intake and feed efficiency of hens (p < 0.05), compared with the VE-deficient or low-level group. In experiment 2, 540 female progeny from the VE-treated hens in experiment 1 were used. The experimental design consisted of three levels of VE supplementation (the same as their mothers') × 3 vaccinating routines, the first vaccination being administered on day 5, 8 or 11. All vaccines and the subsequent vaccinating intervals were identical. In the interim of the experiment, each bird was injected celiacly with Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The results showed that antibody titres against Newcastle disease virus (NDV) or avian influenza virus (AIV) and the plasma concentration of interleukin (IL)-1 were increased by the high level of VE supplementation. There were significant effects of the day of initial immunization with infection bursal disease on the NDV and AIV antibody titre, H/L ratio and plasma concentration of corticosterone and IL-1 before and after injecting LPS, suggesting the occurrence of immunological stress. There was also significant interaction between VE and vaccination routine on the immune functions of experimental birds. Considered together with the results of experiment 1, VEs biological function appeared to be dose-dependent, especially with regard to its positive effect on the immune responses of young chickens.

[Expression and bioactivity assay of mature chicken interleukin-18 protein mutant using Pichia pastoris expression system]

OBJECTIVE

We expressed mature chicken interleukin-18 (mChIL-18) in Pichia pastoris.

METHODS

The mChIL-18 gen was reconstructed by using site-specific mutagenesis based on the Pichia pastoris-preferred codons. The recombinant plasmid pPIC9K/mChIL-18 was constructed and transformed to Pichia pastoris GS115 by electroperation. Multi-copy recombinant strains were screened by Geneticin (G418). The expression of mChIL-18 protein was induced by methanol. SDS-PAGE and Western-blot were used to analyze the expressed products. The bioactivity of mChIL-18 was measured by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assays and chicken embryo fibroblasts-vesicular stomatitis virus (CEF-VSV) system.

RESULTS

The protein of mChIL-18 could be secreted by GS115. The optimum expression conditions, a rate of 480 mg/L,were obtained as follows:temperature 28 degrees C, pH 6.5, methanol concentration 2% and expression time 120 h. The obtained mChIL-18 protein could stimulate T lymphocytes proliferation. IFN-gamma induced by mChIL-18 could directly inhibit the growth of VSV in CEF,and its antiviral activity was about 1.7 x 10(4) U/mL which was produced by 400 microg/L of mChIL-18.

CONCLUSION

The high expression of bioactive recombinant mature chicken interleukin-18 (mChiL-18) in Pichia pastoris had been achieved.

Manufacturing of 50 kA superconducting transformer for ITER correction coil conductor test

To meet the specifications of International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor correction coil (CC) conductor, a 50 kA superconducting transformer has been designed and manufactured to provide the short sample of the CC conductor the current. The transformer consists of two concentric layer-wound superconducting solenoids with the primary inside the secondary coil. In order to test the transformer, the two legs of the secondary coil were directly connected by superconducting cables. A 500 W/4.5 K refrigerator was used to provide the supercritical helium. The maximum current of 56.3 kA in the secondary coil loop was obtained.

Associations of A-FABP and H-FABP markers with the content of intramuscular fat in Beijing-You chicken

This study has assessed the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) identified in the adipocyte fatty acid binding protein (A-FABP) and heart-type fatty acid binding protein (H-FABP) genes with the content of intramuscular fat (IMF) in a population of male Beijing-You chickens. A previously described SNP in the chicken A-FABP gene had a significant (P < 0.05) effect on IMF content. Chickens inheriting the homozygous BB genotype at A-FABP had a significantly higher content of IMF in thigh muscles and breast muscles than did those inheriting the AA and AB genotypes. A novel SNP, identified here, in the H-FABP gene was also significantly (P < 0.05) associated with IMF content in thigh and breast muscle. Chickens inheriting the genotypes of DD and CD had much higher content of IMF than those inheriting the homozygous genotype of CC. Markers at the A-FABP and H-FABP genes were associated with IMF content in the studied population. Chickens inheriting the BB genotype at A-FABP, along with the CD genotype at H-FABP, produced muscles with a much higher content of IMF when compared with all other genotypes. A weak interaction between A-FABP and H-FABP was detected (P < 0.09) for IMF content in the tested population. The statistical significance of interaction is tentative because of the limited number of observations for some genotypic combinations. Markers identified within the A-FABP and H-FABP genes are suitable for future use in identifying chickens with the genetic potential to produce more desirable muscle with higher IMF content, at least in the population of Beijing-You male chickens.