Characterizing the pigmented traditional rice cultivars grown in temperate regions of Kashmir (India) for free and bound phenolics compounds and in vitro antioxidant properties

The purpose of the research was to identify the phenolic and flavonoid compounds of seven different traditional pigmented whole rice cultivars grown in the temperate regions of Kashmir so as to study their relationship with in vitro antioxidant capacities. The completely pigmented rice cultivars were found to have higher phenolic, flavonoid, anthocyanin contents and exhibited higher antioxidant capacities than the light colored and sparely colored rice cultivars. A total of 40 compounds had been identified in the analyzed rice cultivars that were found to be distributed in 6 major categories with 6-phenolics, 6-flavonoids, 11-hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives, 7-hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives, 3-anthocyanins and 7-flavonoid glucosides of different flavonoid compounds. Among the free and bound fractions for each cultivars the light and sparsely colored depicted higher content of phenolics and in vitro antioxidant properties in bound faction, while the completely pigmented cultivars showed higher antioxidant properties in free fractions. The anthocyanins quercetin-3-O-galactoside, cyanidin-3-O-rutinoside and pelargonidin-3-O-diglucoside had been identified by LC-MS existing in the free fractions of the analyzed rice cultivars whereas, the free fraction of acetone + H₂O possessed higher percentage of phenolic compounds as compared to methanolic extracts and bound fractions. The black colored cultivars possessed higher DPPH scavenging activity and lipid peroxidation inhibition.     

Dough rheological properties and noodle-making performance of non-waxy and waxy whole-wheat flour blends

Dough rheological properties and noodle-making performance of non-waxy whole-wheat flour (WWF) with partial- or full-waxy (PW- or FW-) WWF substitution were studied. The substitution levels were 0, 250, 500, 750, and 1000 g/kg, respectively. FW-WWF reduced the peak viscosity and pasting temperature of WWF blends as its substitution level was increased due to its higher proportions of B-type starch granules and short amylopectin chains, while PW-WWF increased peak viscosity with the increasing substitution level because of its higher amylopectin content. As demonstrated by farinograph and rheometer measurements, FW-WWF interfered with gluten development because of the increased competition for water by arabinoxylans and amylopectin; however, PW-WWF enhanced dough strength due primarily to its increased protein content. Consequently, FW-WWF showed a detrimental effect on cooked noodle texture as the cooked noodle hardness was reduced by 50% at the 1000 g/kg substitution level. In contrast, PW-WWF enhanced noodle integrity and elasticity by increasing cooked noodle cohesiveness and resilience by 10.1% and 14.8%, respectively, at the 1000 g/kg substitution level. The results suggest that with waxy WWF substitution, the changes in starch composition, arabinoxylans, and protein content could modify the interactions among flour components and influence the quality characteristics of noodle products.     

Factors affecting the reproductive efficiency in crayfish: implications for aquaculture

In recent years, crayfish aquaculture industry has been developing rapidly in different regions of the world. Crayfish aquaculture is often carried out in dams, lakes and extensive pond systems. There is an increasing demand for crayfish juvenile in aquaculture sector. Therefore, it is important to know which factors affect reproductive efficiency in crayfish. In the present review, factors affecting the reproductive efficiency of crayfish are divided into two main sections, external and internal factors. Dietary lipids, phospholipids, highly unsaturated fatty acids, protein and amino acids, vitamins and carotenoids are important external factors affecting broodstock crayfish reproduction. In addition, various external (i.e. female size, stocking density, temperature, photoperiod, sex ratio) and internal (i.e. endogenous hormones) factors affect the reproductive efficiency in crayfish. This study reviews the present knowledge with the purpose of realizing the factors that are important to reach optimal crayfish nutrition, maturation and reproduction (i.e. pleopodal egg number and quality). This review will particularly be useful for crayfish farmers and crayfish hatchery units.     

Replication of neurovirulent equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) in CD172a+ monocytic cells

Equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) is responsible for respiratory disorders, abortion and myeloencephalopathy (EHM) in horses. Two pathotypes of EHV-1 strains are circulating in the field: neurovirulent (N) and non-neurovirulent (NN). For both strains, CD172a⁺ monocytic cells are one of the main carrier cells of EHV-1 during primary infection, allowing the virus to invade the horse’s body. Recently, we showed that EHV-1 NN strains showed a restricted and delayed replication in CD172a⁺ cells. Here we characterize the in vitro replication kinetics of two EHV-1 N strains in CD172a⁺ cells and investigate if the replication of these strains is similarly silenced as shown for EHV-1 NN strains. We found that EHV-1 N replication was restricted to 7–8% in CD172a⁺ cells compared to 100% in control RK-13 cells. EHV-1 N replication was not delayed in CD172a⁺ cells but virus production was significant lower (10^3.0 TCID₅₀/10⁵ inoculated cells) than in RK-13 cells (10^8.5 TCID₅₀/10⁵ inoculated cells). Approximately 0.04% of CD172a⁺ cells produced and transmitted infectious EHV-1 to neighbour cells compared to 65% of RK-13 cells. Unlike what we observed for the NN strain, pretreatment of CD172a⁺ cells with histone deacetylases inhibitors (HDACi) did not influence the replication of EHV-1 N strains in these cells. Overall, these results show that the EHV-1 replication of N strains in CD172a⁺ cells differs from that observed for NN strains, which may contribute to their different pathogeneses in vivo.     

A new lean no time test baking method with improved discriminating power

In response to customer concerns related to gluten strength in commercial baking, the Canadian Grain Commission assessed whether the Canadian Short Process (CSP) test bake method was generating useful data related to intrinsic strength of wheat varieties. Assessment of CSP loaf volume data for Canadian variety trials spanning 2003 to 2013 showed very little correlation with dough strength parameters as measured by farinograph and extensigraph. A lean no time (LNT) test baking method was developed that can better discriminate genotypes and provide objective indicators of the effect of intrinsic dough strength on baking quality. From early method development, through method validation and verification using diverse sets of samples targeting different Canadian wheat classes and grown in three different crop years, results showed the LNT method to be more discriminating and easily adopted by other laboratories. In 2015, the LNT method was adopted as the method of choice in future Canadian variety registration trials. The LNT method is fast, simple and well-suited to high throughput test baking conditions encountered in the evaluation of large numbers of breeder lines. A new objective parameter, loaf top ratio, was also introduced and found to correlate well with dough strength and dough handling properties.     

保护地黄瓜新品种唐杂6 号的选育

唐杂6 号是以雌性系S16 为母本，以自交系S26 为父本配制的强雌型黄瓜一代杂种。生长势强，商品瓜短棒状， 瓜长12～14 cm，横径4.0～4.3 cm，非特异性环境下雌花率95% 以上，瓜皮嫩绿有光泽，白刺，刺瘤稀小，平均单瓜质量 131.8 g 左右，高抗霜霉病，抗细菌性角斑病，耐白粉病；春保护地栽培平均产量可达8 000 kg·（667 m²） ^-1，秋冬保护地栽 培产量可达6 500 kg·（667 m²） ^-1；适合河北、北京、天津及东北地区春、秋保护地种植。     

氮磷钾用量对小麦冠层不同层次光截获和干物质分配的影响

为明确不同氮、磷、钾用量对小麦冠层不同层次光截获和干物质分配的影响，以济麦22为供试材料，设置F0（不施肥）、F1（N 180 kg·hm^-2，P₂O₅ 75 kg·hm^-2，K₂O 60 kg·hm^-2）、F2（N 225 kg·hm^-2，P₂O₅ 120 kg·hm^-2，K₂O 105 kg·hm^-2）和F3（N 270 kg·hm^-2，P₂O₅ 165 kg·hm^-2，K₂O 105 kg·hm^-2）4个施肥量处理，比较分析开花后不同氮、磷、钾用量对小麦叶面积指数、冠层不同层次光截获特性和成熟期干物质分配的影响。结果表明，F1处理下叶面积指数显著高于F0处理，而与F2和F3处理间无显著差异；开花后15 d，F1处理下小麦冠层不同层次及总PAR截获率和截获量均显著高于F0处理，而与F2和F3处理间无显著差异。F1处理下成熟期干物质在小麦冠层不同层次营养器官中的分配量、籽粒中的分配量及总干物质积累量显著高于F0处理，而与F2和F3处理间无显著差异。成熟期干物质在小麦冠层不同层次营养器官和籽粒中的分配量以及总干物质积累量与冠层上层（顶部至株高2/3）、中层（株高2/3至株高1/3）和总PAR截获率均呈显著正相关。F1处理（N 180 kg·hm^-2，P₂O₅ 75 kg·hm^-2，K₂O 60 kg·hm^-2）为本试验条件下的最优处理。     

Looking back on development and disaster‐related displacement and resettlement,anticipating climate‐related displacement in the Asia Pacific region

The realisation that climate change might necessitate resettlement of people displaced initially raised interest in the experience of development‐forced displacement and resettlement (DFDR). Looking back, in 1980 the first international policy on involuntary resettlement was approved to address perceived weaknesses in state property and expropriation law to safeguard people in the way of development projects. Since then international policy and praxis have brought global attention to developmentally displaced people but have not guaranteed them an effective safeguard. Recently, renewed attention has focussed on state legal and governance frameworks substantively and procedurally. Identifying four key policy objectives that resonate with climate change displacement I analyse their treatment in a data base of DFDR laws and regulations from 40 Asia Pacific states. This analysis finds overall little legal congruence. Innovative new formulations in some Asian state laws address recent public criticisms and research findings, but mostly are yet to demonstrate positive outcomes for displaced people. Pacific states increasingly abandon expropriation law to negotiate lease terms for public infrastructure projects with customary landowners that do not extinguish customary title. Any laws governing climate change relocations must protect rights, livelihoods, well‐being, inclusive decision‐making and community initiatives with procedures whilst not relinquishing climate‐change‐reducing action.     

Knockdown of HMGA2 gene inhibits TGF-β1-induced human embryonic lung fibroblast growth and collagen synthesis

AIM: To investigate the effects of high mobility group A2(HMGA2) gene knockdown on the cell viability, apoptosis, collagen synthesis and oxidative stress of human embryonic lung fibroblast (HELF) induced by transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). METHODS: The HELF were divided into blank group, TGF-β1 group,negative control (NC) group and HMGA2 siRNA(si-HMGA2) group. The protein levels of HMGA2, AKT and p-AKT were determined by Western blot. The cell viability and apoptotic rate was analyzed by MTT assay and flow cytometry,respectively. The mRNA expression of collagen I (COL-Ⅰ) and COL-Ⅲ was detected by RT-qPCR. DCFH-DA was used to detect the content of reactive oxygen species (ROS). RESULTS: Compared with blank group, the protein levels of HMGA2 and p-AKT, the cell viability, the mRNA expression of COL-Ⅰ and COL-Ⅲ in TGF-β1 group were significantly increased, but the apoptotic rate and ROS level were significantly decreased (P<0.05). Compared with TGF-β1 group, the protein levels of HMGA2 and p-AKT, the cell viability, the mRNA expression of COL-Ⅰ and COL-Ⅲ in si-HMGA2 group were significantly decreased, but the apoptotic rate and ROS level were significantly increased (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Knockdown of HMGA2 gene expression decreases the viability and collagen synthesis, and promotes apoptosis and ROS production of human embryonic lung fibroblasts induced by TGF-β1. The mechanism may be related to down-regulation of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.     

鄂托克前旗近50年降水变化特征分析

本文利用鄂托克前旗1967-2018年气象观测站近50年的气象资料,对鄂托克前旗降水特征进行分析。结果表明：整体来说，鄂托克前旗的年降水量变化呈现微弱降低趋势，每10a大约减少1.2mm；28a时间尺度决定的主周期控制着该地区的年降水变化特征，通过周期和突变分析，预计未来三年左右降水高于多年平均值，随后的14年左右时间内降水量呈现减少趋势，逐渐低于多年平均降水量。