Morphological and biochemical characteristics associated with autophagy in gastrointestinal diseases

Autophagy is a cellular catabolic process characterized by the formation of double-membrane autophagosomes.Transmission electron microscopy is the most rigorous method to clearly visualize autophagic engulfment and degradation.A large number of studies have shown that autophagy is closely related to the digestion,secretion,and regeneration of gastrointestinal(GI)cells.However,the role of autophagy in GI diseases remains controversial.This article focuses on the morphological and biochemical characteristics of autophagy in GI diseases,in order to provide new ideas for their diagnosis and treatment.

Effects of Accelerated Aging on Physiological and Biochemical Characteristics of Waxy and Non-waxy Wheat Seeds

Experiments were conducted to evaluate the physiological and the biochemical characteristics of waxy wheat seeds under accelerated aging conditions. Five waxy wheat lines, which were Waxy 1, Waxy 4, Waxy 8, Waxy 9, and Waxy 15; and five non-waxy wheat lines： S-39, 04J89, Jan-81, III42-4, and II110 were studied. The seeds were subjected to accelerated aging at 40℃, 45℃, 50℃, 55℃, and 60℃, and 90% relative humidity for 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 days, respectively. The results showed a gradual increase in conductivity and decrease in germination rate during accelerated aging. SOD, POD and CAT activities increased at lowgrade treatment, but decreased at severe treatment. On the other hand, the soluble protein content decreased at 45 ℃, but successively increased, then decreased 50℃. From the above study, it showed that 90% RH at 55℃ was the best accelerated aging condition for optimum efficiency in a shorter period.

Effect of leachate recycling and inoculation on the biochemical characteristics of municipal refuse in landfill bioreactors

Activity development of key groups of enzymes involved in municipal refuse decomposition was measured in laboratory landfill bioreactors with and without leachate recycling and inoculation for about 210 days. The results showed that the enzymes (amylase, protease, cellulase, lipase and pectinase) were present in fresh refuse but at low values and positively affected by leachate recycling and refuse inoculation. The total average of cellulase activity in digesters D3 operated with leachate recycling but no inoculation, D4 and D5 operated with leachate recycling and inoculation was much higher than that in digesters D1 and D2 without leachate recycling and inoculation by 88%—127%, 117%—162% and 64%—98%. The total average of protease activity was higher in digester D4 than that in digesters D1, D2, D3 and D5 by 63%, 39%, 24% and 24%, respectively, and the positive effect of leachate recycling and inoculation on protease activity of landfilled refuse mainly was at the first two months. The total average of amylase activity was higher in digesters D3, D4 and D5 than that in digesters D1 and D2 by 83%—132%, 96%—148% and 81%—129%. During the early phase of incubation, the stimulatory effect of inoculation on lipase activity was measured, but refuse moisture was the main factor affecting lipase activity of landfilled refuse. The inoculation, initial and continuous inoculation of microorganisms existing in leachate, was the mainly stimulatory factor affecting pectinase activity of landfilled refuse.

Physiological and Biochemical Characteristics in Flag Leaves of the C Liangyou Series of Hybrid Rice Combinations at Late Growth Stages

The contents of chlorophyll, soluble sugars, soluble proteins and thiobarbitudc acid reaction substance （TBARS）, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, net photosynthetic rate as well as the activities of superoxide dismutase （SOD） and peroxidase （POD） of flag leaves at the late growth stages were studied by using C Liangyou series of hybrid rice combinitions as material and Shanyou 63 as control. The C Liangyou series of hybrid rice combinations used in the experiment included C Liangyou 396, C Liangyou 87, C Liangyou 755 and C Liangyou 34, which all used C815S as male sterile line. The contents of chlorophyll, soluble sugars and soluble proteins in flag leaves of the C Liangyou series combinations at the late growth stages were higher than those of the control, whereas the TBARS content was lower than that of the control. The activities of SOD and POD were significantly higher than those of the control on the 7th day after heading, and then decreased slowly. ~bps, value and qp value of flag leaves decreased at the late growth stages, and these two parameters in flag leaves of the C Liangyou series combinations were higher than those of the control, while the qN value increased at the late growth stages and was lower than that of the control. The net photosynthetic rate of flag leaves at the late growth stage was higher compared with the control. These results suggest that slow senescence and strong photosynthetic capability in flag leaves at the late growth stages are the physiological basis of the C Liangyou series combinations.

Effects of pesticides on soil biochemical characteristics of a paddy soil

The impact of triazophos, bensulfuron-methyl, chlobenthiazone on soil biochemical characteristics in a paddy soil under controlled moisture(flooded soil) and temperature(25℃) condition was studied. The electron transport system(ETS)/dehydrogenase activity displayed a negative correlation with triazophos, bensulfuron-methyl, chlobenthiazone concentrations, and the activity decreased as the concentration of the pesticides increased. The higher doses, 5 and 10 field rates, of triazophos, bensulfuron-methyl, chlobenthiazone significantly inhibited ETS activity, while lower rates failed to produce any significant reducing effect against the control. The relative toxicity of triazophos, bensulfuron-methyl, chlobenthiazone in decreasing the ETS activity was in the order: triazophos > chlobenthiazone > bensulfuron-methyl, irrespective of the rates of application. Triazophos, bensulfuron-methyl, chlobenthiazone caused an improvement in the soil phenol content and it increased with increasing concentration of triazophos, bensulfuron-methyl, chlobenthiazone. Triazophos, bensulfuron-methyl, chlobenthiazone incorporation did not produce any significant change in soil protein content. The response of biomass phospholipid content was nearly similar to ETS activity. The phospholipid content was decreased with the addition of triazophos, bensulfuron-methyl, chlobenthiazone in the order of triazophos > chlobenthiazone > bensulfuron-methyl; and the toxicity of applied amount was in the order: 10 FR(field rate) > 5 FR > 1 0 FR > 0 5 FR > control.

Changes in Physiological and Biochemical Characteristics of Floral Organ Development in a Soybean Cytoplasmic-nuclear Male Sterile Line

[Objectives]This study was conducted to explore the mechanism of soybean cytoplasmic-nuclear male sterility.[Methods]With soybean cytoplasmic-nuclear male sterile line JLCMS9 A and its homotype maintainer line JLCMS9 B as experimental materials,the activity of superoxide dismutase(SOD),peroxidase(POD)and catalase(CAT),malondialdehyde(MDA)content,starch content,soluble protein content,soluble sugar content and free proline content in flower buds,alabastrums and mature flowers were determined,and the contents and changes of auxin(IAA),gibberellin(GA3),isopentenyl adenosine(iPA)and abscisic acid(ABA)at the three stages were analyzed.[Results]The activity of SOD and CAT and the contents of MDA and free proline in the sterile line at the flower bud stage were lower than those of the maintainer line,but the opposite was true at the alabastrum stage and the flowering stage,and their values were higher than those of the maintainer line;the POD activity of the sterile line was significantly lower than that of the maintainer line at the flower bud stage,and the opposite was true at the alabastrum stage and the flowering stage,and its values were higher than those of the maintainer line;and the starch content and soluble sugar content of sterile line 9 A showed an overall upward trend,and were significantly lower than those of the maintainer line 9 B at the alabastrum stage and the flowering stage.During the whole development process of floral organs,the content of IAA in sterile line 9 A showed a trend of first increasing and then decreasing,and the content of iPA increased gradually.The contents of hormones in the sterile line were lower than those in the maintainer line.The ratios of IAA/ABA,IAA/GA3,IAA/iPA and ABA/GA3 in the sterile line were significantly different from those in the maintainer line.It is inferred that the abnormal physiological characteristics of floral organ development are related to the cytoplasmic-nuclear male sterility of soybean.The alabastrum stage may be a critical period for the occurrence of abnormal physiological and biochemical indexes in the floral organs of soybean cytoplasmic-nuclear male sterile lines.[Conclusions]This study provides a theoretical basis for the breeding of fine sterile lines of soybean and the research on the mechanism of sterility.

Effect of La-Gly on Physiological and Biochemical Characteristics of Glycine max Seedling under Pb Stress

The physiological and biochemical characteristics of Glycine max seedlings were changed under the high concentration of Pb stress, in which the malony dialdehyde (MDA) content, plasmalemma, activities of catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD) were increased drastically. The damage effects of Pb were reduced when 15 mg . L-1 La-Gly was used to spray Glycine max seedlings. The results of La-Gly treatment show that the effects are related to the decrease of Pb content in plants, the increase of photosynthetic rate and nitrate reductase (NR) activity, decrease of MDA content and cell membrane permeability, and maintenance of activities of CAT and POD.

The study of fluorescence characteristics and biochemical composition of a marine diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana 3H in light and dark cycles—Ⅱ . The effects of light

The effects of light on the fluorescence characteristics and biochemical composition of a marine diatom Tha-lassiosira pseudonana in light and dark cycles were investigated with semi-continuous culture. The results indicate that, with the increase of growing light intensity, DCMU enhanced fluorescence yield (Fd/Chl), enhanced fluorescence ratio (Fd/F) , cellular carbohydrate content. carbohydrate/chlorophyll a and carbohydrate/protein ratio increased , but the fluorescence yield and cellular chlorophyll a content decreased; The protein content declined with the increase of light intensity in the range of 10- 100 μmol/ (m2·s) and increased at higher than 100 μmol/ (m2·s). Sampling time during the day had great effect on the relationships between growing light intensity and cellular chlorophyll a , carbohydrate content , carbohydrate/chlorophyll a and carbohydrate/protein ratio.

The study of fluorescence characteristics and biochemical composition of a marine diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana 3H in light and dark cyclesI. The effects of nutrients

The effects of nutrients on the fluorescence characteristics and biochemical composition of marine diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana 3H in light and dark cycles were investigated with continuous culture. The results show that with the increase of nutrient deficiency, the ratio of enhanced fluorescence to fluorescence (Fd/F), cellular chloropyll-a and protein content of the algae decline, but the fluorescence yield (F/Chl) , DCMU enhanced fluorescence yield (Fd/Chl) , cellular carbohydrate content, carbohydrate/Chl, protein/Chl, carbohydrate/protein increase. The changing amplitude of each parameter is different at different nutrition status, sampling time and different light intensity.

Rice canopy temperature is affected by nitrogen fertilizer

Canopy temperature strongly influences crop yield formation and is closely related to plant physiological traits.However, the effects of nitrogen treatment on canopy temperature and rice growth have yet to be comprehensively examined. We conducted a two-year field experiment with three rice varieties(HD-5, NJ-9108, and YJ-805) and three nitrogen treatments(zero-N control(CK), 200 kg ha~(–1)(MN), and 300 kg ha~(–1)(HN)). We measured canopy temperature using a drone equipped with a high-precision camera at the six stages of the growth period. Generally,canopy temperature was significantly higher for CK than for MN and HN during the tillering, jointing, booting, and heading stages. The temperature was not significantly different among the nitrogen treatments between the milky and waxy stages. The canopy temperature of different rice varieties was found to follow the order: HD-5>NJ-9108>YJ-805, but the difference was not significant. The canopy temperature of rice was mainly related to plant traits, such as shoot fresh weight(correlation coefficient r=–0.895), plant water content(–0.912), net photosynthesis(–0.84), stomatal conductance(–0.91), transpiration rate(–0.90), and leaf stomatal area(–0.83). A structural equation model(SEM) showed that nitrogen fertilizer was an important factor affecting the rice canopy temperature.Our study revealed:(1) A suite of plant traits was associated with the nitrogen effects on canopy temperature,(2) the heading stage was the best time to observe rice canopy temperature, and(3) at that stage, canopy temperature was negatively correlated with rice yield, panicle number, and grain number per panicle. This study suggests that canopy temperature can be a convenient and accurate indicator of rice growth and yield prediction.

Effects on Zinc Stress on Stress-Resistance Physiological and Biochemical Indexes of Jatropha curcas seedlings

Jatropha curcas seedlings were cultured for 21 d under 6 zinc concentrations of 0,25,50,100,200,400 mg/l to study the effects of ZnS O4 stress on the mechanism of resistance to heavy metal stress of J. curcas seedlings. The results showed that with the increase of stress concentration,the content of chlorophyll-a decreased and the activity of POD first increased and then maintained at a certain level or decreased slowly. The contents of soluble sugar,malondialdehyde,soluble protein and free proline increased,and the root activity increased first and then decreased. The relative conductivity of J. curcas seedlings decreased first and then increased,which indicated that the leaves of J. curcas seedlings had some adaptability and self-repairing capability under zinc toxicity stress,but the adaptability and self-repair ability were limited.

Clinical Characteristics in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis Induced by HBV Infection and Combined with Mild Alcohol Intake

Objective To investigate the differences of clinical and biochemical characteristics between patients with liver cirrhosis induced by HBV infection combined with and without mild alcohol intake.Methods Data of patients with liver cirrhosis who were hospitalized in the First Hospital Affiliated to Xinjiang Medical University were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into three groups: patients with liver cirrhosis induced by HBV infection and combined with mild alcohol intake, patients with HBV-related cirrhosis, and patients with alcohol-related cirrhosis. Biochemical detections including liver function, fasting lipid profiles, lipoprotein, kidney function, glucose, uric acid and regular blood tests were carried out and results were compared among three groups. Data were analyzed through STATA software and co-variant analysis. Results Total of 2 350 patients with liver cirrhosis were included, 732 patients had cirrhosis induced by HBV infection combined with mild alcohol intake, 1 316 patients had HBV-related liver cirrhosis, 302 patients had alcohol-related cirrhosis. The highest mean level of white cell count, mean corpuscular volume, γ-glutamyltranspeptidase and uric acid were observed in HBV infection combined with mild alcohol intake group. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that HBV infection, excessive alcohol intake, male and age were risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) in patients with liver cirrhosis. Conclusions HBV infection combined with mild alcoholic-related liver cirrhosis group showed the highest oxidative stress compared with alcoholic liver cirrhosis group, which suggested that mild alcohol intake may increase the incidence of liver cirrhosis in HBV infected patients and may not increase the incidence of HCC.

Clinical Features and Genetic Analysis of Pediatric Patients with Alagille Syndrome Presenting Initially with Liver Function Abnormalities

Alagille syndrome （AGS） is a multisystem disorder and caused by mutations in JAG1 or NOTCH2 gene. The diagnosis of AGS is hampered by its highly variable clinical manifestations. We performed a retrospective analysis on 16 children diagnosed as having AGS in recent five years in our hospital. Cholestasis was seen in 15 patients （93.8%）, heart disease in 12 （75%）, characteristic facies in 7 （43.8%）, and butterfly vertebrae in 7 （43.8%）. Ophthalmology examination was not performed on all the patients. Further, serum biochemical parameters were compared between AGS and 16 biliary atresia （BA） patients who were confirmed by surgery. Elevated liver enzymes were seen in all the patients. Serum total cholesterol （TC） （P=0.0007）, alanine aminotransferase （ALT） （P=0.0056）, aspartate aminotransferase （AST） （P=0.0114）, gamma-glutamyl transferase （GGT） （P=0.035） and total bile acid （TBA） levels （P=0.042） were significantly elevated in AGS patients compared to those in BA cases. However, there were no significant differences in serum total bilirubin （TB）, conjugated bilirubin （CB） and albumin （ALB） between the two groups. We identified 14 different JAG1 gene variations and 1 NOTCH2 gene mutation in 16 Chinese AGS patients. Our study suggested clinical features of AGS are highly variable and not all patients meet the classical diagnostic criteria. It was suggested that hypercholesterolaemia and significantly elevated GGT, TBA and ALT may be helpful to diagnose AGS. Genetic testing is integral in the diagnosis of AGS.

Physiological Responses of Dendrobium officinale under Exposure to Cold Stress with Two Cultivars

This study aimed to explore the cold tolerance of two cultivars of Dendrobium officinale(MG1,MG2)grown in different regions of China.Under-2℃ incubation,cultivar MG1 remained active after 3 d,and continued to grow after returning to room temperature.However,MG2 could only maintain its activity after 2 d treatment at−2℃,and the seedlings died with the low temperature treatment time.Investigation of the characteristics of the plants grown in the south(Hangzhou)or north(Zhengzhou)of China indicated that the leaves of MG1 also had reduced stomatal density,the highest thickness,and a compact microstructure.The contents of proline and soluble sugars were higher in MG1 than those in MG2.The cultivar MG1 had higher SOD enzyme activity than MG2,while CAT and POD activities in samples from Zhengzhou were higher than those from Hangzhou.The contents of polysaccharides and alkaloids in stems of in MG1 were higher than those in MG2,while the content of flavonoids in the Zhengzhou samples was higher than that in the Hangzhou samples.In addition,plant heights,stem diameters,and chlorophyll content were higher in MG1.Overall,MG1 had better cold resistance than MG2.MG1 is a cold tolerant cultivar with thick leaves and reduced stomatal density,higher contents of soluble sugars,proline,CAT,POD,polysaccharides,flavonoids and alkaloids,which together make it more adaptable to low temperatures.Thus,the cultivar MG1,with its demonstrated cold tolerance,can accordingly be grown on a large scale in cold regions,thereby expanding the available planting area for this important traditional medicinal plant to meet the increasing commercial demand for it.

Effects of Silicon on Physiology and Biochemistry of Dendrobium moniliforme Plantlets under Cold Stress

[ Objective] The study aimed to investigate the effects of silicon on physiology and biochemistry of Dendrobium moniliforme plantlets under low tempera- ture stress. [ Method ] By using Dendrobium monilforme as the experimental material, different concentrations of Na2SiO3 （0, O. 2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0, 5.0 and 10.0 mmol/L） was added to the basic medium[ 1/2MS ＋ 6-BA （0.1mg/L） ＋ NAA （ 1 mg/L） ＋ agar （7.2 g/L） ＋ sucrose （30 g/L） ] for tissue culture; af- ter hardening and transplanting, Dendrobium moniliforme plantlets were treated under low temperature stress at 4 ~C for 0, 24 and 48 h, in order to investigate the physiological response of Dendrobium ranniliforme leaves to different concentrations of Na2SiO3. [ Result] Under low temperature stress at 4℃, Dendrob/um mon//i- fortns leaves have certain osmotic regulation ability, and the three osmotic regulation substances show different variation trends at different stages. Appropriate con- centration of NshSiO3 can increase the contents of free proline, soluble sugar and soluble protein to varying degrees, reduce MDA content and further improve the cold resistance of Dendrobium moniliforme plantlets. The order of the effects of Na2SiO~ on various physiological indicators is ： free proline 〉 MDA 〉 soluble sugar （or soluble protein）. According to the correlation analysis among various physiological indicators, free proline, soluble sugar, soluble protein and MDA contents can all be used as reference indicators to identify the cold resistance of Dendrobium moniliforme. [ Conclusion] The addition of Na2SiO3 （0.4 retool/L） can moder- ately decrease the thermal energy for normal growth of Dendrobium moniliforme, which is conducive to reducing the cost of cultivation. Key words Na2SiO3 ;Dendrobium monlifforme;Low temperature stress;Physiological and biochemical characteristics

Acclimation and Tolerance Strategies of Rice under Drought Stress

Rice （Oryza sativa L.） is an important food crop and requires larger amount of water throughout its life cycle as compared to other crops. Hence, water related stress cause severe threat to rice production. Drought is a major challenge limiting rice production. It affects rice at morphological （reduced germination, plant height, plant biomass, number of tillers, various root and leaf traits）, physiological （reduced photosynthesis, transpiration, stomatal conductance, water use efficiency, relative water content, chlorophyll content, photosystem II activity, membrane stability, carbon isotope discrimination and abscisic acid content）, biochemical （accumulation of osmoprotectant like proline, sugars, polyamines and antioxidants） and molecular （altered expression of genes which encode transcription factors and defence related proteins） levels and thereby affects its yield. To facilitate the selection or development of drought tolerant rice varieties, a thorough understanding of the various mechanisms that govern the yield of rice under water stress condition is a prerequisite. Thus, this review is focused mainly on recent information about the effects of drought on rice, rice responses as well as adaptation mechanisms to drought stress.

BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF MITOCHONDRIA IN THE HYPERTROPHIC HEARTS FROM HYPERTENSIVE RATS

A comparative study of the biochemical and biophysical characteristics of myocardial mitochondria was conducted in 16-weeks-old male stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats （SHRsp） and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto control rats （WKY） （n = 6-12）. Cardiac and ventricular weights of SHRsp were significantly higher than those of the WKY group. The average amounts of mitochondria （Mit） and sarcoplasmic reticulum （SR） proteins isolated from the ventricle of SHRsp were 37% and 25% greater, respectively, when compared with those of WKY. Mit cytochrome c oxidase activities （μmol / min / mg） were 4.63 ± 0.71 for SHRsp and 5.55 ± 0.50 for WKY myocardium （x± s）, so that the activity of the former was significantly reduced by 17% （P<0.01）. Mit Ca2- , Mg2-TPase activity （μmol / min / mg） of SHRsp was 24% lower than that of WKY myocardium （P<0.01）. The fluorescence polarization of myocardial Mit membrane labelled with DPH （1, 6-diphenyl-1, 3, 5-hexatriene） in hypertensive rats was not different from that in con

Characteristics of biochemical markers in patients with pulmonary hypertension related to left heart disease

Objective To investigate the differences of biochemical markers between the patients with pulmonary hypertension related to left heart disease(PH-LHD)and LHD;to explore the sensitive biomarkers which may predict PH in LHD patients.Methods A total of 355 LHD patients admitted to our hospital from 2014-01 to