Impact of defoliation on yield of group IV soybeans in Mississippi

Field experiments were conducted during 2009 and 2010 to evaluate the effects of defoliation on maturity group IV soybeans, Glycine max (L.) Merr., grown in Mississippi. During each year, two locations were planted with maturity group IV soybeans that were subjected to various levels of defoliation during R3, R5, and R6 growth stages. Soybeans were subjected to various levels of defoliation within the upper 50% of the plant canopy, lower 50% of the plant canopy, and whole-plant canopy. There was greater yield loss from defoliation occurring in the upper plant canopy compared with the lower plant canopy during R3 and R5 stages, but no difference between canopy regions during R6 stage. Yield loss from whole plant defoliation was greater than upper or lower canopy defoliation. Results confirmed that soybeans during R3 and R5 stages are more susceptible to yield loss than during R6. However, yield losses were not significantly different between R 3 and R5 until defoliation exceeded 63%. Dynamic economic injury levels were determined for each growth stage based on yield loss equations, value of the crop, and cost of control and can be used as a basis for developing action thresholds in high-yielding soybean production environments.     

Curcumin attenuates rat lung ischemia/reperfusion injury by interfering with autophagy

AIM To investigate the role of curcumin （CUR） in lung ischemia/reperfusion （I/R） injury （LIRI） and its relationship with autophagy. METHODS 40 SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation （sham） group， I/R group， solvent （DMSO） group， CUR group and CUR+rapamycin （CUR-Rap） group. The rats were intraperitoneally injected with normal saline， DMSO， CUR or CUR+Rap before operation. After the rat LIRI model was established， the lung tissues were taken to measure W/D， TLW， IAR， and the contents of SOD and MDA were also measured to indicate the oxidative stress level. Light and electron microscopes were used to observed the morphology and ultrastrucure of lung tissues. The expression levels of autophagy-related proteins were determined by Western blot to evaluate autophagy levels. RESULTS Compared with sham group， wet weight/dry weight （W/D）， total lung water （TLW）， injured alveoli rate（IAR） and malondialdehyde （MDA） content in all other groups were increased， superoxide dismutase （SOD） activity was decreased， the levels of autophagy were increased （P<0.05）， and lung tissue injury and cell ultrastructural damage were aggravated in CUR group. Compared with DMSO group， W/D， TLW and IAR and MDA content were decreased， SOD activity was decreased， autophagy levels were also decreased （P<0.05）， and lung tissue and cell ultrastructural damage were attenuated. Compared with CUR group， W/D， TLW， IAR and MDA content were increased， SOD activity declined， the autophagy levels were increased （P<0.05）， and damage of lung tissues and cells were more serious in CUR-Rap group. CONCLUSION Curcumin attenuates the lung I/R injury in rats， and its mechanism may be related to the reduction of oxidative stress and the inhibition of autophagy.     

Treatment of rupture of suspensory ligament and superficial flexor tendon in a bull

Rupture of the suspensory ligament at the insertions on the proximal sesamoid bones, and of the superficial flexor tendon of the left fore limb, occurred in an adult Angus bull as a result of fighting. There was severe hyperextension of the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint with the dewclaws almost touching the ground. Radiographs revealed severe hyper-extension of the MCP joint with the sesamoid bones aligned directly distal to the metacarpus. Initially, a full length fiberglass cast was applied with the limb partially flexed within the cast and the heels elevated. The cast was replaced twice. The cast was removed after 136 days and the bull was bearing full weight on the limb. Prolonged immobilisation of the limb produced new bone in the area (a normal response in cattle) to cause ankylosis of the traumatized MCP joint and partial ankylosis of the carpus. The bull was being used for pasture breeding one year after the injury.     

人体颈部动力学响应分析有限元模型的建立和验证

根据汽车碰撞事故中人体颈部损伤防护技术研究的需要。建立了一个人体颈部三维有限元模型。该模型参照人体解剖结构模拟了颈椎骨、椎间盘、小关节、韧带、肌肉和软骨等组织，共由15811个单元构成。各组织的材料特性采用了弹性、粘弹性、和刚性材料模型来描述．模型用前碰撞志愿者实验数据进行了验证。其头部的加速度、位移曲线与实验数据得到了较好的吻合。本文初步研究了软组织特性参数对于颈部运动的影响。该模型具有较高的生物逼真度，可对头颈部在汽车碰撞载荷条件下的加速度、速度、位移等动力学响应参数进行分析研究。     

间歇升温对芒果冷害及生理生化反应的影响

对低温贮藏中的芒果进行间歇升温处理，结果表明：间歇升温处理延迟了２℃贮藏果冷害引起的乙烯释放及呼吸强度的上升，延迟了果皮多胺水平的上升，使果皮的ＳＯＤ活性维持在较高水平，细胞膜透性增加缓慢，从而显著提高了芒果的抗冷害能力。但间歇升温处理使１０℃贮藏果乙烯释放高峰及呼吸高峰提前且峰高增加，果皮ＳＯＤ活性降低，果皮细胞膜透性增大，从而促进了芒果的成熟衰老。     

一氧化氮和内皮素在窒息新生大鼠胃黏膜损伤中的作用

本研究旨在探讨围产期窒息时内皮素( ET)和一氧化氮 ( NO)的变化与急性胃黏膜损伤的关系及 NO的前体 L-精氨酸 ( L-Arg)和NO合成酶抑制剂 L-硝基 -精氨酸甲酯 ( L-NAME)在胃黏膜损伤中的作用。结果显示窒息组血浆 ET和胃壁 NO水平显著高于正常对照组 ( p<0 .0 1 ) ,胃黏膜损伤明显 ;L -Arg组血浆ET水平较窒息组显著下降 ( p <0 .0 1 ) ,血浆和胃壁 NO含量则显著升高 ( p <0 .0 1 ) ,胃黏膜损伤减轻 ;L-NAME组血浆 ET水平和 L I显著高于正常对照组和 L -Arg组 ( p <0 .0 1 ) ,血浆和胃壁 NO含量较 L-Arg组显著下降 ( p <0 .0 1 ) ,表明围产期窒息时 NO和 ET的变化与胃黏膜损伤的程度密切相关。NO在围产期窒息时有保护胃黏膜的作用 ,而 ET则作用相反。L -Arg的保护作用和 L -NAME的损伤作用均是通过 NO的变化来实现的。     

Role of calreticulin-induced mitochondrial damage in high glucose-induced apoptosis of myocardial cells

AIM: To observe the effect of high glucose on the protein expression of calreticulin (CRT) and its association with cell apoptosis and mitochondrial dysfunction in the cardiomyocytes. METHODS: AC-16 cardiomyocytes were randomly divided into normal glucose group, high glucose group, high glucose+ CRT siRNA group and isotonic control group. The cell apoptotic rate, reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial membrane potential level, respiratory enzyme activity, and protein expression of CRT were observed. RESULTS: Compared with the cardiomyocytes in normal glucose group, the apoptotic rate and ROS production of cardiomyocytes increased in high glucose group, accompanying with the decreases in the mitochondrial membrane potential level and enzyme activitiy of the respiratory chain. The protein expression of CRT was significantly increased in high glucose group. However, compared with high glucose group, high glucose+ CRT siRNA decreased the expression of CRT and attenuated the damage of mitochondria, but CRT siRNA did not reduce the ROS level in cardiomyocytes. CONCLUSION: High glucose brings about CRT over-expression to induce mitochondrial injury, thus increasing myocardial apoptosis.     

Effects of maternal limb ischemic preconditioning on structural and functional changes of mitochondria in fetal hippocampal neurons induced by intrauterine distress-reoxygenation in rats

AIM: To investigate the effects of maternal limb ischemic preconditioning (LIP) on the mitochondrial structures and functions of the hippocampal neurons induced by reoxygenation in the intrauterine distress fetal rats. METHODS: Pregnant rats (n=40) were randomly divided into 4 groups: sham (S) group, LIP group, fetal distress (FD) group and LIP+FD group. Intrauterine ischemia model was established through the experimental design. The ultrastructure of the mitochondria in CA1 area of the hippocampus was observed. The mitochondrial membrane potential and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured. The content of ATP and MDA in the hippocampus tissue was detected. The activity of Mn-SOD was observed. RESULTS: Compared with sham group, the ultrastructure of mitochondria in CA1 area of the hippocampus was damaged in FD group and LIP+FD group. The mitochondrial membrane potential, the content of ATP and the activity of Mn-SOD were decreased. However, the content of ROS and MDA was increased. Compared with FD group, the ultrastructure of mitochondria in CA1 area of the hippocampus was intact in LIP+FD group. Furthermore, the reduced mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP content were inhibited. The activity of Mn-SOD was increased, but the content of ROS and MDA was decreased in LIP+FD group. CONCLUSION: Limb ischemia preconditioning inhibits the damage the mitochondria of fetal hippocampal neurons induced by reoxygenation in the intrauterine distress fetal rats.     

Proteomic study of myocardial mitochondria with ischemia/reperfusion injury and pinacidil postconditioning in isolated rat hearts

AIM: To investigate the protective effect of pinacidil postconditioning on rat myocardium suffering ischemia/reperfusion injury by mitochondrial proteomics. METHODS: Langendorff apparatus was used to establish the model of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury. Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 2 groups: pinacidil postconditioning group (Pina group) and ischemia/reperfusion injury group (I/R group). After 20 min of perfusion with K-H solution, the perfusion was suspended for 40-min (global ischemia) follow by 60 min of reperfusion in I/R group. In Pina group at the end of 40 min global ischemia, the isolated hearts were perfused with K-H solution containing pinacidil (50 μmol/L) for 2 min followed 58-min perfusion with regular K-H solution. Total proteins extracted from the mitochondria were applied to the two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE). The differentially expressed protein spots over 2 times were evaluated by a software. Then they were subjected to in-gel digestion, and analyzed by spectrometry. RESULTS: The expression levels of NDUFA10, NDUFS2 and NDUFV2 were elevated but those of IDHA and ECH1 were decreased in Pina group compared with I/R group. Interestingly, 2 spots in the 2-DE map were identified as ATPase subunit δ. The expression levels of one spot was elevated, while the other was decreased. CONCLUSION: Pinacidil postconditioning may decrease the degree of increased expression levels of NDUFA10, NDUFS2 and NDUFV2, promote the expression of IDHA and ECH1, and induce the phosphorylation of ATPase subunit δ, which may be related to the protective mechanism of pinacidil postconditioning.