Differential responses of plant and microbial respiration to extreme precipitation and drought during spring and summer in the Eurasian meadow steppe.

Increasing extreme precipitation and drought events along changes in their seasonal patterns due to climate change are expected to have profound consequences for carbon cycling. However, how these climate extremes impact ecosystem respiration (R) and whether these impacts differ between seasons remain unclear. Here, we reveal the responses of R and its components to extreme precipitation and drought in spring and summer by conducting a five-year manipulative experiment in a temperate meadow steppe.

Ultra-high electrostriction and ferroelectricity in poly (vinylidene fluoride) by 'printing of charge' throughout the film.

Electrostriction is an important electro-mechanical property in poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) films, which describes the proportional relation between the electro-stimulated deformation and the square of the electric field. Generally, traditional methods to improve the electrostriction of PVDF either sacrifice other crystalline-related key properties or only influence minimal regions around the surface. Here, we design a unique electret structure to fully exploit the benefits of internal crystal in PVDF films.

Extreme wet precipitation and mowing stimulate soil respiration in the Eurasian meadow steppe.

The imbalance of terrestrial carbon (C) inputs versus losses to extreme precipitation can have consequences for ecosystem carbon balances. However, the current understanding of how ecosystem processes will respond to predicted extreme dry and wet years is limited. The current study was conducted for three years field experiment to examine the effects of environmental variables and soil microbes on soil respiration (Rs), autotrophic respiration (Ra) and heterotrophic respiration (Rh) under extreme wet and dry conditions in mowed and unmowed grassland of Inner Mongolia.

Dose effect of bovine lactoferrin fortification on diarrhea and respiratory tract infections in weaned infants with anemia: A randomized, controlled trial.

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the dose effect of bovine lactoferrin (bLF) fortification on the morbidity of diarrhea and respiratory tract infections in weaned infants with anemia.

Methods: A total of 108 infants with anemia, who were exclusively breast fed at 4 to 6 mo and weaned and formula fed at 6 to 9 mo, were recruited. The eligible infants were randomly assigned to fortified group 0 (FG0), fortified group 1 (FG1), or fortified group 2 (FG2) and were given formula fortified with 0 mg/100 g, 38 mg/100 g, and 76 mg/100 g of bLF, respectively, for 3 mo.

An immunoassay cassette with a handheld reader for HIV urine testing in point-of-care diagnostics.

Currently, most HIV tests are performed with blood samples, or alternatively saliva samples are used for HIV testing. Simple HIV tests need to be performed in hospitals or other medical agencies instead of more invasive HIV blood tests. To enable point-of-care (POC) HIV diagnostics, based on a recently developed lateral flow strip for HIV urine testing, a microfluidic immunoassay cassette with a handheld optical reader is developed.

Dose Effect of Bovine Lactoferrin Fortification on Iron Metabolism of Anemic Infants.

To evaluate the effect of iron-fortified formula with different concentrations of bovine lactoferrin (bLF) on improvement of anemic status in term infants who were previously breast-fed. A randomized, controlled, open, and post-market intervention study. A total of 108 infants aged 6-9 mo who were previously breast-fed and weaned were selected.

Transcriptomic Analysis Reveals a Comprehensive Calcium- and Phytohormone-Dominated Signaling Response in Self-Incompatibility.

Sheepgrass ( (Trin.) Tzvel.) is an economically and ecologically important forage in the grass family.

Germination characteristics among different sheepgrass () germplasm during the seed development and after-ripening stages.

Sheepgrass ( (Trin.) Tzvel) is an important forage grass in the Eurasian steppe. However, little information is available concerning its seed morphological features and germination characteristics during seed development and after-ripening among different germplasm.

Neuropilin-1 is upregulated by Wnt/β-catenin signaling and is important for mammary stem cells.

Wnt/β-catenin signaling is instrumental for the development of mammary gland and the properties of mammary stem cells (MaSCs). The Wnt signaling downstream effectors that engage in regulating MaSCs have not been extensively studied. Here, we report that Neuropilin-1 (Nrp1) expression is induced by Wnt/β-catenin signaling in MaSCs, and its function is critical for the activity of MaSCs.

Development of a novel genetically modified bioluminescent-bacteria-based assay for detection of fluoroquinolones in animal-derived foods.

Fluoroquinolones (FQNs) are broad-spectrum antibacterial agents widely used in animal husbandry and aquaculture. The residues and antimicrobial resistance of such antibiotics are a major public health concern. To realize multianalyte detection of FQN residues, a genetically modified bacterium, Escherichia coli pK12 harboring plasmid pRecAlux3, was constructed in this study to develop a bioluminescent-bacteria-based assay for the detection of FQNs in animal-derived foods.

Identification of multipotent mammary stem cells by protein C receptor expression.

The mammary gland is composed of multiple types of epithelial cells, which are generated by mammary stem cells (MaSCs) residing at the top of the hierarchy. However, the existence of these multipotent MaSCs remains controversial and the nature of such cells is unknown. Here we demonstrate that protein C receptor (Procr), a novel Wnt target in the mammary gland, marks a unique population of multipotent mouse MaSCs.

[Determination of tenuifolin in Tianwang Buxinwan and Guipiwan by HPLC].

Objective: A quantitative method was developed for the determination of tenuifolin in Tianwang Buxinwan and Guipiwan by HPLC.

Method: The samples were separated by Alltima C18 column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) using methanol--0.

Simultaneous determination of phenols in Radix Polygalae by high performance liquid chromatography: quality assurance of herbs from different regions and seasons.

Radix Polygalae, roots of Polygala tenuifolia or of Polygala sibirica, is a Chinese herbal medicine commonly used to prevent dementia. Reliable chemical markers for quality assurance of this herb are missing. Here, a high performance liquid chromatography method coupled with diode array detection was developed to simultaneously determine nine different phenols in Radix Polygalae, including sibiricose A(5), sibiricose A(6), glomeratose A, tenuifoliside A, glomeratose D, 3',6-di-O-sinapoyl sucrose ester, mangiferin, polygalaxanthone III, and polygalaxanthone XI.

[Changes of dehydroandrographolide's contents of andrographis tablet in the process of production].

Objective: To recognize changes in the contents of ingredients of Andrographis Tablet in the process of production.

Method: Adopting TLCS, TLC, HPLC to detect effective contents of ingredients which are produced in every stage of process of Andrographis Table's production.

Result: Handling with the fresh Herba Andrographis according to current pharmacopeoia's technology, it showed that only dehyandrographolide can be detected.