Alkyl dimethyl betaine activates the low-temperature collection capacity of sodium oleate for scheelite

The impact of alkyl dimethyl betaine (ADB) on the collection capacity of sodium oleate (NaOl) at low temperatures was evaluated using flotation tests at various scales. The low-temperature synergistic mechanism of ADB and NaOl was explored by infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, surface tension measurement, foam performance test, and flotation reagent size measurement.The flotation tests revealed that the collector mixed with octadecyl dimethyl betaine (ODB) and NaOl in a mass ratio of 4:96 exhibited the highest collection capacity. The combined collector could increase the scheelite recovery by 3.48% at low temperatures of 8–12℃. This is particularly relevant in the Luanchuan area, which has the largest scheelite concentrate output in China. The results confirmed that ODB enhanced the collection capability of NaOl by improving the dispersion and foaming performance. Betaine can be introduced as an additive to NaOl to improve the recovery of scheelite at low temperatures.

Comparative Effects of Salt Stress and Extreme pH Stress Combined on Glycinebetaine Accumulation,Photosynthetic Abilities and Growth Characters of Two Rice Genotypes

Glycinebetaine （Glybet） accumulation, photosynthetic efficiency and growth performance in indica rice cultivated under salt stress and extreme pH stress were investigated. Betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase （BADH） activity and Glybet accumulation in the seedlings of salt-tolerant and salt-sensitive rice varieties grown under saline and acidic conditions peaked after treatment for 72 h and 96 h, respectively, and were higher than those grown under neutral pH and alkaline salt stress. A positive correlation was found between BADH activity and Glybet content in both salt-tolerant （P=0.71） and salt-sensitive （P=0.86） genotypes. The chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll and total carotenoids contents in the stressed seedlings significantly decreased under both acidic and alkaline stresses, especially in the salt-sensitive genotype. Similarly, the maximum quantum yield of PSII （Fv/Fm）, photon yield of PSII （ФPSII）, non-photochemical quenching （NPQ） and net photosynthetic rate （Pn） in the stressed seedlings were inhibited, leading to overall growth reduction. The positive correlations between chlorophyll a content and Fv/Fm, total chlorophyll content and ФPSII, and Pn as well as Pn and leaf area in both salt-tolerant and salt-sensitive genotypes were found. Saline acidic and saline alkaline soils may play a key role affecting vegetative growth prior to the reproductive stage in rice plants.

Betaine accumulation and the change of betaine-aldehyde dehydrogenase activity in barley seedlings under KCl and NaCl stress

The changes in growth status, ion contents, betaine levels and betaine\|aldehyde dehydrogenase (BADH) activity in seedlings of nonhalophyte barley treated with different concentrations of NaCl and KCl were studied. Results showed that the inhibition of growth in barley seedlings increased as enhancing NaCl and KCl for 96h and NaCl inhibitory degree was higher than that of KCl. The K\++ content of barley seedlings in NaCl was lower than the control, while the Na\++ content was higher, the levels of Na\++ fell in the seedlings treated with KCl, but K\++ levels rose, and K\++ content was higher than that of Na\++. The betaine levels of barley shoots rose with the increase in both external salt concentration and treatment time. Higher BADH activity was observed in low\|salt concentration but lower slightly in high\|salt concentration.

Betaine inhibits Toll-like receptor 4 expression in rats with ethanol-induced liver injury

AIM:To test whether ethanol feeding could induce Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)responses,assess the hepatoprotective effect of betaine and its inhibitive effect on TLR4 in animal models of alcoholic liver injury.METHODS:Forty-eight female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups as control,model,low and high dose betaine groups.Except control group,all rats were fed with high fat-containing diet plus ethanol and fish oil gavages for 8 wk.Betaine was administered intragastrically after exposure of ethanol for 4 wk.The changes of liver histology were examined.The expression of TLR4 mRNA and protein was detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting,respectively.The serum aminotransferase activity alanine transarninase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),serum endotoxin,and liver inflammatory factors tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interferon-γ(IFN-γ),interleukin-18(IL-18)were also assayed.RESULTS:Compared with control group,rats of model group developed marked liver injury,accompanied by an increase of ALT(159.41±7.74 U/L vs 59.47± 2.34 U/L,P<0.0001),AST(248.25±1.40 U/L vs 116.89±3.48 U/L,P<0.0001),endotoxin(135.37± 30.17 ng/L vs 44.15±7.54 ng/L,P<0.0001),TNF-α(20.81±8.58 pg/mL vs 9.34±2.57 pg/mL,P=0.0003),IFN-γ(30.18±7.60 pg/mL vs 16.86±9.49 pg/mL,P= 0.0039)and IL-18(40.99±8.25 pg/mL vs 19.73±9.31 pg/mL,P=0.0001).At the same time,the expression of TLR4 mRNA and protein was markedly induced in the liver after chronic ethanol consumption(1.45±0.07 vs 0.44±0.04,P<0.0001;1.83±0.13 vs 0.56±0.08,P<0.0001).Compared with model group,betaine feeding resulted in significant decreases of ALT(64.93 ±6.06 U/L vs 159.41±7.74 U/L,P<0.0001),AST(188.73±1.11 U/L vs 248.25±1.40 U/L,P<0.0001),endotoxin(61.80±12.56 ng/L vs 135.37±30.17 ng/L,P<0.0001),TNF-α(9.79±1.32 pg/mL vs 20.81± 8.58 pg/mL,P=0.0003),IFN-γ(18.02±5.96 pg/mL vs 30.18±7.60 pg/mL,P=0.0008)and IL-18(18.23±7.01 pg/mL vs 40.99±8.25 pg/mL,P<0.0001).Betaine also improved liver steatosis.The expression levels of TLR4 mRNA or protein in liver tissues were significantly lowered(0.62±0.04 vs 1.45±0.07,P<0.0001;and 0.65±0.06 vs 1.83±0.13,P<0.0001).There was a statistical difference of TLR4 mRNA and protein expression between high-and low-dose betaine groups(0.62±0.04 vs 0.73±0.05,P<0.0001,and 0.65±0.06 vs 0.81±0.09,P<0.0001).CONCLUSION:Betaine can prevent the alcoholinduced liver injury effectively and improve the liver function.The expression of TLR4 increases significantly in ethanol-fed rats and betaine administration can inhibit TLR4 expression.

Betaine affects muscle lipid metabolism via regulating the fatty acid uptake and oxidation in finishing pig

Background： Betaine affects fat metabolism in animals, but the specific mechanism is still not clear. The purpose of this study was to investigate possible mechanisms of betaine in altering lipid metabolism in muscle tissue in finishing pigs.Methods： A total of 120 crossbred gilts（Landrace × Yorkshire × Duroc） with an average initial body weight of 70.1 kg were randomly allotted to three dietary treatments. The treatments included a corn–soybean meal basal diet supplemented with 0, 1250 or 2500 mg/kg betaine. The feeding experiment lasted 42 d.Results： Betaine addition to the diet significantly increased the concentration of free fatty acids（FFA） in muscle（P 〈 0.05）. Furthermore, the levels of serum cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were decreased（P 〈 0.05） and total cholesterol content was increased in muscle（P 〈 0.05） of betaine fed pigs. Experiments on genes involved in fatty acid transport showed that betaine increased expression of lipoprotein lipase（LPL）, fatty acid translocase/cluster of differentiation（FAT/CD36）, fatty acid binding protein（FABP3） and fatty acid transport protein（FATP1）（P 〈 0.05）. The abundance of fatty acid transport protein and fatty acid binding protein were also increased by betaine（P 〈 0.05）. As for the key factors involved in fatty acid oxidation, although betaine supplementation didn＇t affect the level of carnitine and malonyl-CoA, betaine increased mR NA and protein abundance of carnitine palmitransferase-1（CPT1）and phosphorylated-AMPK（P 〈 0.05）.Conclusions： The results suggested that betaine may promoted muscle fatty acid uptake via up-regulating the genes related to fatty acid transporter including FAT/CD36, FATP1 and FABP3. On the other hand, betaine activated AMPK and up-regulated genes related to fatty acid oxidation including PPARα and CPT1. The underlying mechanism regulating fatty acid metabolism in pigs supplemented with betaine is associated with the up-regulation of genes involved in fatty acid transport and fatty acid oxidation.

Synthesis and Structural Characterization of a New Cadmium(II) Complex with a Double Betaine

A new flexible double betaine L （L = 1,4-bis（pyridinio-4-carboxylato-N-methyl）benzene, C20H16N2O4） and its cadmium（Ⅱ） complex [Cd（H2O）aL（NO3）]NO3.H2O 1 were synthesized. Complex 1 was obtained by self-assembly reaction of [Cd（NO3）2]-4H2O and L in hot water,and its crystal structure was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Crystallographic data for complex 1： C20H24CdN4O14.H2O, Mr = 674.85, monoclinic, space group P21/c, a =13.7854（3）, b = 14.2820（3）, c = 14.9188（4） ,A°, β = 116.418（1）°, V = 2630.5（1）A°^3, Z = 4, Dc= 1.704g/cm^3,/J（MoKα） = 0.911 mm^-1, F（000） = 1368, the final R = 0.0315 and wR = 0.0768 for 3637 observed reflections with I 〉 2σ（I）. In complex 1, L acts as a monodentate ligand to link a Cd（Ⅱ） ion in a novel coordination mode of double betaines. The mononuclear [Cd（H2O）aL（NO3）] units are connected through intermolecular hydrogen bonds and π-π stacking reactions to generate a 3D network.

Overaccumulation of glycine betaine makes the function of the thylakoid membrane better in wheat under salt stress

Wheat(Triticum aestivum L.) lines T1, T4, and T6 were genetically modified to increase glycine betaine(GB) synthesis by introduction of the BADH(betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase, BADH)gene from mountain spinach(Atriplex hortensis L.). These transgenic lines and WT of wheat(T. aestivum L.) were used to study the effect of increased GB synthesis on wheat tolerance to salt stress. Salt stress due to 200 mmol L-1Na Cl impaired the photosynthesis of the four wheat lines, as indicated by declines in net photosynthetic rate(Pn), stomatal conductance(Gs),maximum photochemical efficiency of PSII(Fv/Fm), and actual photochemical efficiency of PSII(ФPSII) and an increase in intercellular CO2concentration(Ci). In comparison with WT, the effect of salinity on the three transgenic lines was mild. Salt stress caused disadvantageous changes in lipids and their fatty acid compositions in the thylakoid membrane of the transgenic lines and WT. Under salt stress, the three transgenic lines showed slightly higher chlorophyll and carotenoid contents and higher Hill reaction activities and Ca2+-ATPase activity than WT. All the results suggest that overaccumulation of GB resulting from introduction of the BADH gene can enhance the salt tolerance of transgenic plants, especially in the protection of the components and function of thylakoid membranes, thereby making photosynthesis better. Changes in lipids and fatty acid compositions in the thylakoid membrane may be involved in the increased salt stress tolerance of the transgenic lines.

Dietary betaine activates hepatic VTGⅡexpression in laying hens associated with hypomethylation of GR gene promoter and enhanced GR expression

Background: Vitellogenin(VTG) is a precursor of egg yolk proteins synthesized within the liver of oviparous vertebrates. Betaine is an important methyl donor that is reported to improve egg production of laying hens with an unclear mechanism. In the present study, we fed betaine-supplemented diet(0.5%) to laying hens for 4 wk and investigated its effect on VTGII expression in the liver.Results: Betaine did not affect chicken weight, but significantly(P < 0.05) increased egg laying rate accompanied with a significant(P < 0.05) increase in hepatic concentration and plasma level of VTGI. Plasma estrogen level did not change,but the hepatic expression of estrogen receptor α(ERα) mR NA was significantly(P < 0.05) up-regulated. Betaine did not affect the protein content of ERα, but significantly(P < 0.05) increased hepatic expression of glucocorticoid receptor(GR)at both mR NA and protein levels. Also, ERα/GR interaction tended to be enhanced in the liver nuclear lysates of betainesupplemented hens as determined by co-immunoprecipitation. Furthermore, dietary betaine supplementation significantly increased(P < 0.05) the hepatic expression of methyl-transfer enzymes, such as BHMT, GNMT, and DNMT1,which was associated with higher SAM/SAH ratio and hypomethylation of GR promoter regions.Conclusions: Betaine activates hepatic VTGII expression in association with modified DNA methylation of GR gene promoter, GR expression and ERα/GR interaction. Activation of hepatic VTGII expression may contribute, at least partly, to improved egg production in betaine-supplemented hens.

Sow performance in response to natural betaine fed during lactation and post-weaning during summer and non-summer months

Background: Two studies were conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary natural betaine on sow reproductive performance during summer(Exp. 1) and non-summer months(Exp. 2). Treatments were designed as a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with factors including dietary betaine(0 or 0.2%) and period of supplementation(lactation or post-weaning until 35 days post-insemination). In Exp. 1, 322 and 327 sows and in Exp. 2, 300 and 327 sows representing young(parity 1 and 2) and mature(parity 3 to 6) sows, respectively, were used.Results: In Exp. 1, supplementation of betaine during lactation increased sow body weight losses(-11.95 vs.-14.63 kg;P = 0.024), reduced feed intake(4.12 vs. 4.28 kg/d;P = 0.052), and tended to reduce percentage of no-value pigs(P = 0.071). Betaine fed post-weaning reduced weaning-to-estrus interval(5.75 vs. 6.68 days;P = 0.054) and farrowing rate(86.74% vs. 91.36%;P = 0.060), regardless of parity group. Post-hoc analysis with sows clustered into 3 parity groups(1, 2 and 3, and 4+) indicated that betaine fed in lactation to parity 4+ sows(P = 0.026) and betaine fed post-weaning to parity 1 sows increased the number of pigs born in the subsequent cycle(P ≤ 0.05). In Exp. 2, betaine fed during lactation tended to reduce the weaning-to-estrus interval(6.64 vs. 7.50 days;P = 0.077) and farrowing rate(88.23% vs.83.54%;P = 0.089), regardless of parity group. Feeding betaine post-weaning reduced number of pigs born(13.00 vs.13.64;P = 0.04) and pigs born alive(12.30 vs. 12.82;P = 0.075), regardless of parity group.Conclusions: Using 0.2% betaine during the non-summer months did not benefit sow performance. During the summer, betaine supplementation in lactation increased subsequent litter size in parity 4+ sows. Betaine fed during the post-weaning period reduced the wean-to-estrus interval and farrowing rate, increased total number of pigs born for parity 1 sows and reduced total number of pigs born to parity 4+ sows. Further research is needed to determine if the detrimental effects on feed intake and farrowing rate may be correlated and depend on dietary betaine level.

Effect of Betaine on the Regulation of the Lipid Metabolism in Laying Hen

The experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of betaine on lipid metabolism of laying hens. 1 600 ISA brown laying hens of 20 weeks of age were alloted randomly into 4 groups each with 4 replicates of 100 layers, the layers were given a corn-soybean basal diet with 0,400,600 and 800 mg/kg betaine re-spectirely. Results indicated that supplementation of 600 mg/kg betaine significantly improved lay performance, and increased egg production 8.67% (P<0.04), decreased feed/egg ratio by 9.02%(P<0.03) compared with control, but there were no significant differences in egg weight and feed intake. It was found that supplementation of 600 mg/kg betaine decreased weights of abdominal fat by 19.63%(P<0.02)and 22.35% (P<0.02), and decreased liver fat by 8.52%(P<0.05) and 16.28%(P<0.01) in 50 and 70 weeks of age respectively. Compared with control, in 70 weeks of age, activity of LPL in abdominal fat was decreased by 44.83% (P<0.01), HSL activity in abdominal fat increased by 50.0% (P<0.02), and MDH activity in liver was decreased by 28.74 % (P < 0.03). Supplementation of 600 betaine increased levels of T3 by 43.29 % (P < 0.05) and 43.95 % (P < 0.02) in 50 and 70 weeks of age respectively, and increased the concentration of cAMP in hypothalamus and anterior pituitary by 59.89% (P<0.01) and 24.03% (P<0.05) respectively in 70 weeks of age. The concentration of serum gluclose (GLU) , FFA and phospholipid were increased by 44.50% (P<0.03), 19.66%(P<0.03) and 71.66% (P<0.01) in 50 weeks of age. The concentration of serum gluclose (GLU), FFA and phospholipid were increased by 16.25%(P<0.05),22.51%(P<0.02) and 22.42%(P<0.01) in 70 weeks of age.

Exogenous application of glycine betaine improved water use efficiency in winter wheat(Triticum aestivum L.) via modulating photosynthetic efficiency and antioxidative capacity under conventional and limited irrigation conditions

Improving water use efficiency(WUE)is an important subject in agricultural irrigation for alleviating the scarcity of water resources in semiarid regions of the North China Plain.Moreover,glycine betaine(GB)is one of the most effective compatible solutes synthesized naturally in plants for enhancing stress tolerance under abiotic stress,but little information is available on the involvement of GB in regulating crop WUE under field conditions.This study was conducted to explore the role of exogenously applied GB in improving WUE and plant physiological and biochemical responses inwinterwheat subjected to conventional or limited irrigation during the 2015–2016 and 2016–2017 growing seasons.Exogenous application of GB significantly enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities and reduced the accumulation ofmalondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide under limited irrigation conditions.Furthermore,GB-treated plantsmaintained higher leaf relative water content andmembrane stability,which led to higher chlorophyll content and gas exchange attributes for better intrinsic and instantaneouswater use efficiencies compared to control plants under limited irrigation conditions.GB-treated plants had higher indole-acetic acid and zeatin riboside levels but lower ABA levels compared to control plants under conventional and limited irrigation conditions.Additionally,GB enhanced the grain filling rate and duration,grain number per spike,and final grainweight,which resulted in higher grain yield compared to the control.Interestingly,GB significantly improved the integrative and photosynthetic WUE under conventional and limited irrigation conditions,although GB treatment did not markedly affect total water consumption.These results suggest the involvement of GB in improving WUEs in winter wheat by modulating hormonal balance,membrane stability,photosynthetic performance and antioxidant systems to maintain higher grain yield under conventional and limited irrigation conditions.

Maternal betaine suppresses adrenal expression of cholesterol trafficking genes and decreases plasma corticosterone concentration in offspring pullets

Background:Laying hens supplemented with betaine demonstrate activated adrenal steroidogenesis and deposit higher corticosterone(CORT)in the egg yolk.Here we further investigate the effect of maternal betaine on the plasma CORT concentration and adrenal expression of steroidogenic genes in offspring pullets.Results:Maternal betaine significantly reduced(P<0.05)plasma CORT concentration and the adrenal expression of vimentin that is involved in trafficking cholesterol to the mitochondria for utilization in offspring pullets.Concurrently,voltage-dependent anion channel 1 and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein,the two mitochondrial proteins involved in cholesterol influx,were both down-regulated at m RNA and protein levels.However,enzymes responsible for steroid syntheses,such as cytochrome P450 family 11 subfamily A member 1 and cytochrome P450 family 21 subfamily A member 2,were significantly(P<0.05)up-regulated at m RNA or protein levels in the adrenal gland of pullets derived from betaine-supplemented hens.Furthermore,expression of transcription factors,such as steroidogenic factor-1,sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 and c AMP response element-binding protein,was significantly(P<0.05)enhanced,together with their downstream target genes,such as 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A reductase,LDL receptor and sterol regulatory element-binding protein cleavage-activating protein.The promoter regions of most steroidogenic genes were significantly(P<0.05)hypomethylated,although methyl transfer enzymes,such as AHCYL,GNMT1 and BHMT were up-regulated.Conclusions:These results indicate that the reduced plasma CORT in betaine-supplemented offspring pullets is linked to suppressed cholesterol trafficking into the mitochondria,despite the activation of cholesterol and corticosteroid synthetic genes associated with promoter hypomethylation.

Characterization and Crystal Structures of Two Copper(Ⅱ) Complexes Constructed by a Flexible Double Betaine Ligand

A flexible double betaine 1,4-bis（pyridinil-4-carboxylato）-1,4-dimethylbenzene L has been used to generate two Cu（Ⅱ）-containing metal complexes that exhibit different polymeric structures： [Cu（H2O）2 L].2NO3 1 and [Cu（H2O）3 L].2Cl.H2O 2. The crystal structures of 1 and 2 have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction method. Crystal data for 1： triclinic, space group PT, a = 5.253（2）, b = 7.406（3）, c = 14.792（5） A, α = 84.195（5）, β = 80.014（5）, γ = 78.053（5）°, V= 553.2（3）A^3, Z = 1, F（000） = 293, Dc = 1.717 g/cm^3, the final R = 0.0385 and wR = 0.1079 for 1883 observed reflections （I 〉 2σ（I））; and those for 2： monoclinic, space group P21/c, a = 10.222（3）, b = 25.287（7）, c = 9.277（3）A, β = 93.572（5）°, V = 2393.2（12）A^3, Z = 4, F（000） = 1140, Dc = 1.540 g/cm^3, the final R = 0.0472 and wR = 0.0956 for 3204 observed reflections （I 〉2o（/））.

The effect of betaine surfactants on the association behavior of associating polymer

The interfacial properties and rheological behavior of surfactant/polymer complex systems were measured to investigate the association behavior of the associating polymer.Compared with the pure surfactant solution,there are two inflection points in the surface tension curve for the surfactant/polymer complex systems.The two inflection points are dependent on the surfactant type and polymer concentration.The effect of surfactant on the rheological behavior of polymer can be divided into two aspects.First,the addition of short-chain betaine surfactant is detrimental to the viscosity of polymer solution due to the electrostatic shielding effect.Second,long-chain betaine surfactant also reduces the viscosity of polymer solutions at low concentrations.However,when the concentration of the long-chain betaine surfactant is relatively high,the long-chain betaine surfactant could form worm-like micelles that promote the intermolecular association and thus increase the number of associating junctions,thereby resulting in the augmentation of viscosity.So it is necessary to apply the long-chain betaine surfactant to build the polymer/surfactant flooding system.The interaction model between surfactant and polymer is proposed,which is different from the traditional‘Three-Region Model’.

Role of betaine in liver disease-worth revisiting or has the die been cast?

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH)is an important indication for liver transplantation in many Western countries due to the epidemic of obesity and insulin resistance.Unfortunately,no medication is approved for NASH and risk factor modification is often advised.Over the last decade,several clinical trials on NASH have been conducted with several ongoing and the future looks promising.Although betaine(trimethyl glycine)was evaluated for NASH,results were mixed in the clinical trials in large part due to the quality of the studies.It seems reasonable to re-evaluate betaine in clinical trials for NASH and alcoholic liver disease due to its low cost,tolerability and mechanism of action.

Effects of Dietary Betaine on Production Perform-ance,Egg Quality and Serum Biochemical Indexes of Layers under Heat Stress Condition

[ Objective ] This experiment was conducted to study the effects of dietary betaine on peiformance, egg quality and serum biochemical parameters of lay- ing hens under heat stress condition. [ Method] A total of 600 22-week-old commercial Roman laying hens were randomly divided into five groups, with eight repli- cates in each group and 15 hens in each replicate. Group I was taken as the positive control group, and laying hens in group ] were fed with basal diets in anrmal thermal environment. Temperature humidity index of group 1 was between 64.9 and 68.9. Group II was taken as the negative control group, and laying hens in group II were fed with basal diets under heal stress condition. Temperature humidity index of group II was higher than 72. laying hens in groups llI-V were fed with basal diets supplemented with 200,400 and 600 mg/kg betaine under heat stress condition respectively, and temperature humidity indexes in groups III-V were all higher than 72. The experiment lasted for 14 weeks. [ Results ] Results showed that there were no significant differences in average daily feed intake, feed egg ratio and broken egg rate among different test groups （P 〉 0.05 ）. Hen-housed laying rate, hen-housed egg yield, serum total protein （TP） content and serum alkaline phosphatase （AKP） activity in group II were significantly lower than those in group I（ P 〈0.05 ）. However, activities of glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase （GOT）, creatine kinase （CK） and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase （GPT） in group II were significantly higher than those in group i （P 〈0.05 ）. Hen-housed laying rate, hen-housed egg yield and serum TP content in group IV were significantly higher than those in group II（ P 〈 0.05 ）. Hen-housed egg yield, serum TP eontent and serum albumin （ALB） content in group V were significantly higher than those in group II（P 〈0.05）. Activities of serum CK and Girl in groups IV and V were significantly lower than those in group II （ P 〈 0.05 ）, serum triglyceride （TG） content in group V was significantly lower than that in group 11 （ P 〈 0.05 ）. [ Conclusion] Metabolism and physiological function of laying hens could be affected by heat stress, and which caused a decline in performance. Adding of dietary betaine in diets could improve hen-housed egg production and hen-housed laying rate, which could also improve the health of laying hens under heat stress condi- tion. The appropriate dietary adding content of betaine was 400 mg/kg.

Syntheses and Crystal Structures of Two New Mercury(Ⅱ) Complexes with Double Betaine Ligands

Reaction of HgCl2 and double betaine ligands in water at about 80 ℃ yielded two new Hg（Ⅱ） complexes,[Hg（L1）Cl2]·H2O 1 and [Hg2（L2）Cl4]·3HgCl2 2（L1 = 1,3-bis（pyridinio-4-carboxylato）-propane,L2 = 1,4-bis（pyridinio-4-carboxylato）-1,4-dimenthylbenzene）.Their struc-tures have been characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction techniques.The structure of 1 contains 1-D chains,in which the adjacent Hg（Ⅱ） atoms are bridged by L1 ligands in a syn-syn bis-monodentate mode.The chains are further connected through face-to-face π-π stacking interactions between pyridine rings to generate an infinite double-chain network.In 2,two Hg（Ⅱ） atoms are joined by L2 ligands in the same coordination mode as 1 to form an isolated dinuclear structure.The thermal stabilities of both complexes have also been investigated.

Novel Zwitterionic Surfactants: Synthesis and Surface Active Properties of N-(3-Alkoxy-2-Hydroxypropyl)-N, N-Dimethyl glycine Betaines

Five new zwitterionic surfactants with long chain alkyl betaine structure incorporated with hydroxylpropyl group have been synthesized. Their structures were identified by elemental analysis, IR (HNMR)-H-1, and (CNMR)-C-13. Surface tension experiments showed that these surfactants have higher surface activity than those without hydroxypropyl group. The values of CMC and gamma(CMC) of these surfactants have been determined.

Characterization of lauryl betaine foam in the Hele-Shaw cell at high foam qualities(80%-98%)

Lauryl betaine(LB)as an amphoteric surfactant carries both positive and negative charges and should be able to generate stable foam through electrostatic interaction with nanoparticles and co-surfactants.However,no previous attempts have been made to investigate the influence of nanoparticles and other co-surfactants on the stability and apparent viscosity of LBstabilized foam.In this study,a thorough investigation on the influence of silicon dioxide(SiO2)nanoparticles,alpha olefin sulfonate(AOS)and sodium dodecyl sulfate(SDS),on foam stability and apparent viscosity was carried out.The experiments were conducted with the 2D Hele-Shaw cell at high foam qualities(80%-98%).Influence of AOS on the interaction between the LB foam and oil was also investigated.Results showed that the SiO2-LB foam apparent viscosity decreased with increasing surfactant concentration from 0.1 wt%to 0.3 wt%.0.1 wt%SiO2 was the optimum concentration and increased the 0.1 wt%LB foam stability by 108.65%at 96%foam quality.In the presence of co-surfactants,the most stable foam,with the highest apparent viscosity,was generated by AOS/LB solution at a ratio of 9:1.The emulsified crude oil did not imbibe into AOS-LB foam lamellae.Instead,oil was redirected into the plateau borders where the accumulated oil drops delayed the rate of film thinning,bubble coalescence and coarsening.

The protecting effects and mechanism of betaine hydrochloride on hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats

Objective To study the protecting effects and mechanism of betaine hydrochloride on hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats.Methods Fourty SD rats were randomly divided into 5 groups(8 animals in each group):sham-operated control group(A),hepatic ischemia-reperfusion group(B),200 mg·kg-1 400 mg·kg-1 800 mg·kg-1 betaine hydrochloride+hepatic ischemia-reperfusion group(C、D、E).betaine hydrochloride was administered to animals byoral route in group C、D、E for 7 days before ischemia.A、B group was administered with NS.Made the animal model of part hepatic ischemia-reperfusion.Serum alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST)levels in the blood and themalondialdehyde(MDA),superoxide dismutase(SOD),protein content in hepatic tissue were determined after the liver had been reperfused for 24 hours;the hepatic tissue was examined under lightmicroscope and the cell apoptosis was demonstrated with flow cytometry.Results ALT,AST,MDA increased and SOD decreased significantly in B group when compared those in the A group(P<0.05),Hepatic apoptosis was significantly increased;ALT,AST,MDA decreased and SOD increased significantly in betaine hydrochloride 200 mg·kg-1(C)group when compared those in the B group(P<0.05).Hepatic apoptosis was significantly lower,The histologic changes of the liver tissue under lightmicroscope in the C group was more easer than in the I/R group(B).Conclusions Betaine hydrochloride has the ability to scavenge oxygen free radical(OFR),reduce lipid peroxidation and inhibition of apoptosis.So it can protect the rats liver damaged by ischemia-reperfusion.