Molecular Cloning and Expression of Carotenogenic Genes in Yellowish and Mutant Whitish Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) Fruits

ObjectiveThe study aimed to explore the factors regulating carotenoid accumulation in flesh color. MethodA loquat mutation （red-or orange-fleshed plant emerged a bud mutation of white-flesh in trunk） was used as material; HPLC analysis of β-carotene content was conducted. ResultThe β-carotene concentration in the flesh of wild and mutant types was 60.9 and 4.6 μg/g fresh weight, respectively. According to the conserved regions of genes from rose family genome, carotenogenic gene fragments in wild and mutant types were obtained. No nucleotide variation of the carotenogenic gene fragments was observed between wild and mutant genome. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Q-PCR） was compared and one carotenogenic gene, β-ring hydroxylase （HYB） were considerably suppressed in mature mutant loquat fruits compared with that in wild. The other six carotenogenic genes were also expressed but the expression patterns appeared to be not correlated with the amount of β-carotene concentration in wild loquat flesh. ConclusionThe mutant whitish loquat lacks the ability to synthesize β-carotene because of the transcriptional down-regulation of carotenogenic gene HYB.

Study on Anti-oxidation and Inhibitory Effect on Nonenzymatic Glycation Reaction of Fermentation Extract from Biotransformation of Ginkgo biloba L. (EGB) by Hericium erinaceus

[ Objective] In order to study the anti-oxidation and inhibitory effect on nonenzymatic glycation reaction of EGB fermentation extraction biotransformed by Hericium erinaceus. [ Method ] The free radical scavenging ability and reducing capacity of DPPH as well as inhibitory rate of nonenzymatic glycation reaction were measured targets for comparing changes of anti-oxidation and inhibitory effect on nonenzymatic glycation reaction of fermentation lyophilizer and fermentation extraction before and after EGB fermention adsorbed by AB-8 macroporous resin. The EGB fermention was biotransformed by Hericium erinaceus. [ Result ] After adsorbed by AB-8 macroporous resin, the bioactive matters were concentrated and separated. The free radical scavenging rate, reducing capacity and inhibitory rate of nonenzymatic glycation reaction were increased significantly after adsorbed by AB-8 macroporous resin. [ Conclusion] AB-8 macroporous resin could be used for preliminary concentration of EGB fermentation which was biotransformed by Hericium erinaceus.

Hydrogen storage properties of magnesium hydride catalyzed by Ni-based solid solutions

The Ni−25%X(X=Fe,Co,Cu,molar fraction)solid solutions were prepared and then doped into MgH_(2) through high-energy ball milling.The initial dehydrogenation temperatures of MgH_(2)/Ni−25%X composites are all decreased by about 90℃relative to the as-milled pristine MgH_(2).The Ni−25%Co solid solution exhibits the most excellent catalytic effect,and the milled MgH_(2)/Ni−25%Co composite can release 5.19 wt.%hydrogen within 10 min at 300℃,while the as-milled pristine MgH_(2) can only release 1.78 wt.%hydrogen.More importantly,the dehydrogenated MgH_(2)/Ni−25%Co composite can absorb 5.39 wt.%hydrogen at 275℃within 3 min.The superior hydrogen sorption kinetics of MgH_(2)/Ni−25%Co can be ascribed to the actual catalytic effect of in-situ formed Mg_(2)Ni(Co)compounds.First-principles calculations show that the hydrogen absorption/desorption energy barriers of Mg/MgH_(2) systems decrease significantly after doping with transition metal atoms,which interprets well the improved hydrogen sorption properties of MgH_(2) catalyzed by Ni-based solid solutions.

肝细胞肝癌谷胱甘肽硫转移酶P1活性和甲基化研究

与环境中致癌物黄曲霉毒素B1（AFB1）密切接触可增加肝细胞肝癌（HCC）的危险性。进入体内的AFB1在肝内经细胞色素P4501A2活化为AFB1-8.9环氧化物（前致癌物），在肝细胞胞浆中与谷胱甘肽S-转移酶（GST）携带的活性极团谷胱苷肽结合后，水溶性增加，

Microevolution of Mitochondrial Cytochrome oxidase subunit I in Drosophila melanogaster at ＂Evolution Canyon＂, Israel

We determined the sequence of mitochondrial Cytochrome oxidase subunit I （CO1） in two Drosophila melanogaster strains originating at ＂Evolution Canyon＂, Israel. CO1 nucleotide sequences from two iso-female strains, 2-1 and 6-1, were 1,534 and 1,543 base-pairs, respectively. In each strain, ATAA was used in initiation of translation. Exchange rates for nucleotide and amino acid sequences were larger in the 6-1 strain than in the 2-1 strain when Oregon-R was used as the standard. Non-synonymous exchange rate was larger than synonymous exchange rate among the three strains.

Dehydration of sugars to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural and non-stoichiometric formic and levulinic acids over mesoporous Ta and Ta-W oxide solid acid catalysts

A series of mesoporous Ta and Ta-W oxides have been prepared and employed as solid acid catalysts for the dehydration of fructose and glucose to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural(HMF).Solid state 31 P MAS NMR spectroscopic results using trimethylphosphine(TMP)as a probe molecule show that the acid strength and the ratio of Br?nsted to Lewis acid sites increase gradually with the addition of tungsten in tantalum oxide.It is found that high sugar conversion and HMF selectivity are achieved over catalyst with relatively high ratios of Br?nsted to Lewis acid sites.Unexpected stoichiometric excess of formic acid relative to levulinic acid can be observed mainly because of direct decomposition of fructose over Lewis acid sites.The addition of 2-butanol leads to the increase of sugars conversion and the HMF selectivity,especially for the catalyst with high ratio of Br?nsted to Lewis acid sites.Among them,Ta7W3 oxide catalyst shows 54%HMF selectivity and good reusability with the addition of 2-butanol by extracting HMF from aqueous phase and removing humins deposed on the surface of the catalyst.

Genetic Diversity of Apple Cactus, Cereus peruvianus Mill. Clones （Cactaceae） and Its F1 Hybrids Using Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA in Indonesia

Polymorphism in two types of Cereus peruvianus, short and long spines clones, and its F1 hybrids cultivated in Indonesia were detected by RAPD （Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA） markers. High amount of mucilage （gelling polysaccharides） present in C. peruvianus was a major obstacle in isolating good quality genomic DNA. To obtain good quality DNA, the CTAB （Cetyl Trimethyl Ammonium Bromide） methode was modified. Out of 17 primers were used, and two primers OPN-05 and OPM-10 have specific loci, OPN-05550, OPN-05800 and OPM-10650, linked with spines types in parents clones. Those can be used as molecular marker for spines type. Seventeen primers were used generated 113 loci, of which 65 loci were polymorphic in parental clones and 132 loci, of which 93 loci were polymorphic in F1 plants. Dendrogram generated by Jaccard coefficient showed that parents＇ clones had lower genetic diversity than F1 plants. At 72% similarity, all of long or short spine parent clones grouped in one cluster according to its size of spines. At that time F1 plants were separately grouped. None ofF1 hybrid plants grouped with its common female parents.

Improvement in Oxidative Stability of Soybean Oil by Mango Kernel Extracts

This work was undertaken to explore the potential of fruit waste materials as sources of natural antioxidants. Kernels of four varieties of mangoes of Indian origin were studied. Kernels were extracted with five different solvents, tested for extraction efficiency and total phenolic content （TPC）. As the methanol proved to be the best solvent, it was used for further analysis. The methanolic extracts of kernels had reducing power （RP） and scavenged 2, 2 diphenyl-l-picryl hydrazyl （DPPH） radical, which is related to their antioxidant activity （AA）. When analyzed in HPLC, the extracts showed the presence of phenolic compounds. The extracts had the higher capacity to reduce the formation of peroxides and slow down the rate of oxidation than butylated hydroxyl toluene （BHT） in refined, bleached deodorized soybean oil （RBD SBO）. Based on the results obtained mango kernels are potential source of natural antioxidants owing to their antioxidant activity.

Chemical composition and antioxidant activity of certain Morus species

In the present work,the fruits of four Morus species,namely Morus alba (white mulberry),Morus nigra (black mulberry),Morus laevigata (large white fruit),and Morus laevigata (large black fruit),were analyzed for proximate composition,essential minerals,and antioxidant potentials.For this purpose,the ripe fruits were collected from the northern regions of Pakistan.The major nutritional components moisture,ash,lipids,proteins,fibres,carbohydrates,and total sugar) were found to be in the suitable range along with good computed energy.Total dry weight,pH,and titratable acidity (percent citric acid) were (17.60±1.94)–(21.97±2.34) mg/100 g,(3.20±0.07)–(4.78±0.15),and (0.84±0.40)%–(2.00±0.08)%,respectively.Low riboflavin (vitamin B2) and niacin (vitamin B3) contents were recorded in all the fruits,while ascorbic acid (vitamin C) was in the range from (15.20±1.25) to (17.03±1.71) mg/100 g fresh weight (FW).The mulberry fruits were rich with regard to the total phenol and alkaloid contents,having values of (880±7.20)–(1650±12.25) mg/100 g FW and (390±3.22)–(660±5.25) mg/100 g FW,respectively.Sufficient quantities of essential macro-(K,Ca,Mg,and Na) and micro-(Fe,Zn,and Ni) elements were found in all the fruits.K was the predominant element with concentration ranging from (1270±9.36) to (1731±11.50) mg/100 g,while Ca,Na,and Mg contents were (440±3.21)–(576±7.37),(260±3.86)–(280±3.50),and (240±3.51)–(360±4.20) mg/100 g,respectivly.The decreasing order of micro-minerals was Fe>Zn>Ni.The radical scavenging activity of methanolic extract of fruits was concentration-dependent and showed a correlation with total phenolic constituents of the respective fruits.Based on the results obtained,mulberry fruits were found to serve as a potential source of food diet and natural antioxidants.

Point defects in L1_0 FePt studied by molecular dynamics simulations based on an analytic bond-order potential

The point defects and their related physical properties in L10 FePt are investigated by molecular dynamics simulations based on an analytic bond-order potential. The calculated results agree well with the experimental value, indicating that the analytic bond-order potential is suitable to describe the structural properties and surface energies of the FePt alloy in the L10 phase. However, the calculated vacancy formation energy of an Fe atom is higher than that of a Pt atom, which disagrees with some other previously calculated results. This result indicates that the analytic bond-order potential is unable to describe the related point defect properties. The analytic bond-order potential needs to be modified in order to study these defect properties of an FePt alloy.

The reductive mechanism of nitrobenzene catalyzed by nine charcoals in sulfides solution

Due to the different sources of charcoals, there are significant differences in their properties. In order to study the catalytic effect of different charcoals to nitrobenzene (NB), we selected nine charcoal-sources to prepare nine charcoals with different properties. The experiments showed that NB could be rapidly reduced by sulfides in the presence of all charcoals. The surface area normalized reduction rate constants of NB increased with H/C and (O+N)/C ratio of charcoals increasing. The difference of catalytic effect for nine charcoals was mainly due to their different species and content of surface functional groups and original organic matter. Based on the theoretical calculation and experimental results, the reaction mechanism of NB catalyzed by charcoal in sulfides solution was analyzed. Some active surface functional groups and original organic matter of charcoals were regarded as the active sites and played an important role in catalyzing the reduction of NB by accelerating the transfer of electrons from sulfides to NB.

Tempospacial energy-saving effect-based diagnosis in large coal-fired power units:Energy-saving benchmark state

The energy-saving analytics of coal-fired power units in China is confronting new challenges especially with even more complicated system structure, higher working medium parameters, time-dependent varying operation conditions and boundaries such as load rate, coal quality, ambient temperature and humidity. Compared with the traditional optimization of specific operating parameters, the idea of the energy-consumption benchmark state was proposed. The equivalent specific fuel consumption(ESFC) analytics was introduced to determine the energy-consumption benchmark state, with the minimum ESFC under varying operation boundaries. Models for the energy-consumption benchmark state were established, and the endogenous additional specific consumption(ASFC) and exogenous ASFC were calculated. By comparing the benchmark state with the actual state, the energy-saving tempospacial effect can be quantified. As a case study, the energy consumption model of a 1000 MW ultra supercritical power unit was built. The results show that system energy consumption can be mainly reduced by improving the performance of turbine subsystem. This nearly doubles the resultant by improving the boiler system. The energy saving effect of each component increases with the decrease of load and has a greater influence under a lower load rate. The heat and mass transfer process takes priority in energy saving diagnosis of related components and processes. This makes great reference for the design and operation optimization of coal-fired power units.