Investigation of mechanical properties of developed antimicrobial PPsuture/Ag nanocomposite

In order to prevent surgical complications due to microbial infections, we have developed polypropylene suture grafted with silver nanoparticles (PPsuture/Ag nanocomposite) by a simple immersion procedure. Physical and mechanical properties of developed suture are investigated. Suture surface characteristics are examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Silver content on suture surface was determined by Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). The mechanical properties of developed antibacterial PP suture/Ag were studied. We note that proposed silver coating method has not affected mechanical performances of suture. Antimicrobial performances of PP suture/Ag nanocomposites against S. aureus and E. coli colonies were also investigated.     

Phenological and physiological evaluation of first and second cropping periods of sorghum and maize crops

Environmental conditions influence phenology and physiological processes of plants. It is common for maize and sorghum to be sown at two different periods: the first cropping (spring/summer) and the second cropping (autumn/winter). The phenological cycle of these crops varies greatly according to the planting season, and it is necessary to characterize the growth and development to facilitate the selection of the species best adapted to the environment. The aim of this study was to characterize phenological phases and physiological parameters in sorghum and maize plants as a function of environmental conditions from the first cropping and second cropping periods. Two parallel experiments were conducted with both crops. The phenological characterization was based on growth analyses (plant height, leaf area and photoassimilate partitioning) and gas exchange evaluations (net assimilation rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration and water-use efficiency). It was found that the vegetative stage (VS) for sorghum and maize plants was 7 and 21 days, respectively, longer when cultivated during the second cropping. In the first cropping, the plants were taller than in the second cropping, regardless of the crop. The stomatal conductance of sorghum plants fluctuated in the second cropping during the development period, while maize plants showed decreasing linear behaviour. Water-use efficiency in sorghum plants was higher during the second cropping compared with the first cropping. In maize plants, in the second cropping, the water-use efficiency showed a slight variation in relation to the first cropping. It was concluded that the environmental conditions as degree-days, temperature, photoperiod and pluvial precipitation influence the phenology and physiology of both crops during the first and the second cropping periods, specifically cycle duration, plant height, leaf area, net assimilation rate, stomatal conductance and water-use efficiency, indicating that both crops respond differentially to environmental changes during the growing season.     

宁夏地区荷斯坦牛乳房性状的遗传参数估计和主成分分析

旨在评估宁夏地区荷斯坦牛乳房性状的遗传水平。本研究使用DMU（v6.0）软件的AI-REML模块结合EM算法并配合多性状动物模型对宁夏地区12 415头荷斯坦牛，包括111 735个观察值的9个乳房性状进行遗传参数估计，运用主成分分析法（PCA）探讨构象性状之间的关系。结果表明，宁夏地区荷斯坦牛乳房性状遗传力处于中等偏低水平，乳房深度遗传力值为0.242，乳房质地为0.080，悬韧带为0.183，前乳房附着为0.230，前乳头位置为0.231，前乳头长度为0.173，后乳房高为0.272，后乳房宽为0.378，后乳头位置为0.169。各性状遗传相关范围为-0.277~0.706，表型相关范围为-0.084~0.316。研究共筛选出特征值≥1的4个主成分，占总方差的64.19%，且9个乳房性状在前3个主成分中已全部体现，荷载系数均在0.4以上。本研究通过对宁夏地区奶牛DHI数据的深入挖掘和遗传参数估计，准确地把握了宁夏奶牛群体的结构特征，对于奶牛的选种选配和育种规划具有重要意义。     

Conductive 3D structure nanofibrous scaffolds for spinal cord regeneration

The complex nature of spinal cord injuries has provided much inspiration for the design of novel biomaterials and scaffolds which are capable of stimulating neural tissue repair strategies. Recently, conductive polymers have gained much attention for improving the nerve regeneration. In our previous study, a three-dimensional (3D) structure with reliable performance was achieved for electrospun scaffolds. The main purpose in the current study is formation of electrical excitable 3D scaffolds by appending polyaniline (PANI) to biocompatible polymers. In this paper, an attempt was made to develop conductive nanofibrous scaffolds, which can simultaneously present both electrical and topographical cues to cells. By using a proper 3D structure, two kinds of conductive scaffolds are compared with a non-conductive scaffold. The 3D nanofibrous core-sheath scaffolds, which are conductive, were prepared with nanorough sheath and aligned core. Two different sheath polymers, including poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) PLGA and PLGA/PANI, with identical PCL/PANI cores were fabricated. Nanofibers of PCL and PLGA blends with PANI have fiber diameters of 234±60.8 nm and 770±166.6 nm, and conductivity of 3.17×10^-5 S/cm and 4.29×10^-5 S/cm, respectively. The cell proliferation evaluation of nerve cells on these two conductive scaffolds and previous non-conductive scaffolds (PLGA) indicate that the first conductive scaffold (PCL/ PANI-PLGA) could be more effective for nerve tissue regeneration. Locomotor scores of grafted animals by developed scaffolds showed significant performance of non-conductive 3D scaffolds. Moreover, the animal studies indicated the ability of two new types of conductive scaffolds as spinal cord regeneration candidates.     

荒漠区滴灌施氮量对葡萄叶绿素荧光特性及碳代谢的影响

为了研究蛇龙珠葡萄各生育期施氮量对叶片光合特性和同化产物积累的影响,在滴灌条件下,设定4个尿素施用量:150(N1),300(N2),450(N3),600 kg/hm~2(N4),对照(CK)设置为0 kg/hm~2,分析各生育期(花前5 d DBF5、花后20 d DAF20和花后50 d DAF50)不同氮素营养对葡萄叶片的光合荧光参数及碳代谢相关指标的影响。结果表明:适量增施氮肥提高了叶片叶绿素含量和RuBp羧化酶活性,增强了葡萄树的光合作用,而叶片中PSⅡ有效光化学效率(Fv′/Fm′)、光化学淬灭系数(qP)、PSⅡ实际光化学效率(ΦPSⅡ)的提高及非光化学淬灭系数(NPQ)的降低使叶片叶绿素荧光增强,且N2下的Fv′/Fm′、ΦPSⅡ、qP在DAF20和DAF50时比同期CK分别显著升高了16.10%,17.80%;21.49%,21.13%及11.77%,19.73%;适量增施氮肥提高了蔗糖代谢相关酶的活性和可溶性糖含量,减少了淀粉含量,且在整个生育期,SPS、SS以及蔗糖在N3下有最高值,葡萄糖和果糖在N2下有最高值,而在DBF5、DAF20和DAF50时NI和AI分别在N2、N2和N1处理下有最高值。同CK相比,N2处理显著增加了可溶性糖、单宁、花青素的含量和可滴定酸含量,提高了坐果率和糖酸比,产量达14.50 t/hm~2。综上,在300～450 kg/hm~2的尿素施用范围内明显增强了叶片光合作用,促进可溶性糖的合成,从而为葡萄果实的生长发育供应足够的营养。     

Proteomic profiles during adventitious rooting of Eucalyptus species relevant to the cellulose industry

New Forests - Adventitious rooting (AR) is an obligatory step for vegetative propagation of commercial woody species. Paper industries have interest in Eucalyptus globulus Labill and its hybrids...     

Effect of nitrogen root zone fertilization on rice yield,uptake and utilization of macronutrient in lower reaches of Yangtze River,China

Improper application of nitrogen (N) has led to high N losses and low N use efficiency in the lower reaches of Yangtze River in China. An effective method to solve such problems is the deep fertilized N in root zone (RZF). Limited information is available on the effect of RZF on the uptake of macronutrients (N, P and K) and rice yield. Field experiments, conducted from 2014 to 2015, compared the farmer fertilizer practice (FFP, with 225 kg ha^?1 of N, split into three doses) and RZF using the same rate but placing N 5 cm away from rice roots in holes 10 cm deep (RZF10) or 5 cm deep (RZF5) as a single application. The highest mean yield (10.0 t ha^?1) was obtained in RZF10, which was 19.5% more than that in FFP. Root zone fertilization of urea (whether 10 cm deep or 5 cm deep) resulted in greater accumulation of N, P and K in stem, leaf sheaths, leaf blades and grains compared to that in FFP in sandy and in loam soils. The uptake of N, P and K was the highest in RZF10 (average at 176.7, 66.2 and 179.1 kg ha^?1, respectively), higher than that in FFP by 45.0, 17.0 and 22.6%, respectively. N apparent recovery efficiency was markedly higher in RZF10 (53.1%) than in FFP (27.5%). RZF10 significantly increased the N, P, K uptake compared with FFP under different N rates in both sandy and loam soils. These results suggest that the N, P and K input amount should be re-determined under RZF.     

不同类型水稻品种产量和氮素吸收利用对大气CO2浓度升高响应的差异

目的 探明不同类型水稻品种产量和氮素吸收利用对FACE(大气CO₂浓度增高)响应的差异。方法 以常规粳稻、杂交籼稻、常规籼稻共6个品种为供试材料,研究FACE对不同类型水稻产量、氮素吸收利用的影响。结果 1）FACE处理极显著提高了水稻产量,平均增加24.17%, 常规籼稻增幅最大,FACE和对照均以杂交籼稻最高;2）FACE处理显著增加了单位面积穗数,常规粳稻增幅最大,并显著增加了杂交籼稻和常规籼稻每穗粒数;3）FACE处理显著提高了成熟期吸氮量和氮素籽粒生产效率,成熟期吸氮量平均增加21.23%,杂交籼稻增幅最大, FACE和对照均以常规籼稻最高;氮素籽粒生产效率平均增加7.33%,杂交籼稻增幅最大,FACE和对照均以杂交籼稻最高。成熟期吸氮量对产量促进作用略大于成熟期氮素籽粒生产效率;4）FACE处理降低了植株含氮率,成熟期平均下降0.105个百分点,常规粳稻降幅最大。FACE处理极显著提高植株干物质量,成熟期平均增加23.95%,常规籼稻增幅最大;FACE处理显著提高常规籼稻和杂交籼稻成熟期单穗吸氮量,分别增加10.79%、13.93%,但常规粳稻下降了9.60%;FACE处理显著提高了成熟期群体吸氮强度,平均增加22.29%,杂交籼稻增幅最大。FACE处理对水稻全生育期天数无显著影响;FACE处理显著提高茎鞘、叶片、穗各器官吸氮量,叶片增幅最大,平均增加51.86%,杂交籼稻增幅最大;FACE处理显著提高了不同生育阶段吸氮量,抽穗-成熟阶段增幅最大,平均增加108.90%,杂交籼稻增幅最大;5）植株干物质量、单穗吸氮量、吸氮强度、穗吸氮量、抽穗-成熟阶段吸氮量对成熟期总吸氮量的促进作用分别大于植株含氮率、单位面积穗数、生育天数、茎鞘叶吸氮量、移栽-分蘖和分蘖-抽穗阶段吸氮量;6）FACE处理显著提高了氮肥偏生产力,降低了每百千克籽粒需氮量,前者平均增加24.16%,常规籼稻增加最多;后者平均降低4.7%,常规籼稻降幅最大。结论 FACE处理可显著提高水稻产量和氮素吸收利用效率,但品种间差异较大。     

Evaluation of Particle Size Influence on Proximate Composition,Physicochemical, Techno-Functional and Physio-Functional Properties of Flours Obtained from Persimmon (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Diospyros kaki</Emphasis> Trumb.) Coproducts

The aim of the work was to study the influence of particle size in the composition, physicochemical, techno-functional and physio-functional properties of two flours obtained from persimmon (Diospyros kaki Trumb. cvs. ‘Rojo Brillante’ (RBF) and ‘Triump’ (THF) coproducts. The cultivar (RBF and THF) and particle size significantly affected all parameters under study, although depending on the evaluated property, only one of these effects predominated. Carbohydrates (38.07–46.98 g/100 g) and total dietary fiber (32.07–43.57 g/100 g) were the main components in both flours (RBF and THF). Furthermore, insoluble dietary fiber represented more than 68% of total dietary fiber content. All color properties studied were influenced by cultivar and particle size. For both cultivars, the lower particle size, the higher lightness and hue values. RBF flours showed high values for emulsifying activity (69.33–74.00 mL/mL), while THF presented high values for water holding capacity (WHC: 9.47–12.19 g water/g sample). The bile holding capacity (BHC) and fat/oil binding values were, in general, higher in RBF (19.61–12.19 g bile/g sample and 11.98–9.07, respectively) than THF (16.12–12.40 g bile/g sample and 9.78–7.96, respectively). The effect of particle size was really evident in both WHC and BHC. Due to their dietary fiber content, techno-functional and physio-functional properties, persimmon flours seem to have a good profile to be used as potential functional ingredient.