Practice-based Research on Popularity of Tea Culture in Northern Mountainous Area and Improvement of Students＇ Humanism Spirit

In this paper,questionnaires about college tea culture and humanism spirit have been investigated in the undergraduates of Hebei Agricultural University in mountainous area of Northern China.After analyzing the survey results and the causes,the author made references and gave recommendations to the university students about the tea culture and humanism spirit cultivation.     

Reduction of adult hippocampal neurogenesis is amplified by aluminum exposure in a model of type 2 diabetes

In this study, we investigated the effects of chronic aluminum (Al) exposure for 10 weeks on cell proliferation and neuroblast differentiation in the hippocampus of type 2 diabetic rats. Six-week-old Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) and Zucker lean control (ZLC) rats were selected and randomly divided into Al- and non-Al-groups. Al was administered via drinking water for 10 weeks, after which the animals were sacrificed at 16 weeks of age. ZDF rats in both Al- and non-Al-groups showed increases in body weight and blood glucose levels compared to ZLC rats. Al exposure did not significantly affect body weight, blood glucose levels or pancreatic β-cells and morphology of the pancreas in either ZLC or ZDF rats. However, exposure to Al reduced cell proliferation and neuroblast differentiation in both ZLC and ZDF rats. Exposure to Al resulted in poor development of the dendritic processes of neuroblasts in both ZLC and ZDF rats. Furthermore, onset and continuation of diabetes reduced cell proliferation and neuroblast differentiation, and Al exposure amplified reduction of these parameters. These results suggest that Al exposure via drinking water aggravates the impairment in hippocampal neurogenesis that is typically observed in type 2 diabetic animals.     

Challenges in wide implementation of genome editing for crop improvement

Genome editing technologies using customizable sequence specific nucleases (SSNs) enables precise genome modification in plants, which has revolutionized functional genomics research as well as crop improvement. Applicability of SSN-mediated genome editing ranges from targeted gene knockout and single base modification to multiple gene stacking into desired genomic sites. However, there are still considerable challenges in implementing genome editing technologies for practical crop improvement. Here, we briefly discuss the technological challenges, especially those associated with the delivery of SSNs and with homologous recombination-mediated genome editing, and address some promising solutions to overcome the issues.     

Cytoprotective Peptides from Blue Mussel Protein Hydrolysates: Identification and Mechanism Investigation in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells Injury

Cardiovascular disease represents a leading cause of mortality and is often characterized by the emergence of endothelial dysfunction (ED), a physiologic condition that takes place in the early progress of atherosclerosis. In this study, two cytoprotective peptides derived from blue mussel chymotrypsin hydrolysates with the sequence of EPTF and FTVN were purified and identified. Molecular mechanisms underlying the cytoprotective effects against oxidative stress which lead to human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) injury were investigated. The results showed that pretreatment of EPTF, FTVN and their combination (1:1) in 0.1 mg/mL significantly reduced HUVEC death due to H₂O₂ exposure. The cytoprotective mechanism of these peptides involves an improvement in the cellular antioxidant defense system, as indicated by the suppression of the intracellular ROS generation through upregulation of the cytoprotective enzyme heme oxygenase-1. In addition, H₂O₂ exposure triggers HUVEC damage through the apoptosis process, as evidenced by increased cytochrome C release, Bax protein expression, and the elevated amount of activated caspase-3, however in HUVEC pretreated with peptides and their combination, the presence of those apoptotic stimuli was significantly decreased. Each peptide showed similar cytoprotective effect but no synergistic effect. Taken together, these peptides may be especially important in protecting against oxidative stress-mediated ED.     

Age-related changes of calbindin D-28k-immunoreactive neurons in the myenteric plexus of gerbil duodenum

We examined the age-related changes of calbindin D-28k (CB)-immunoreactive neurons and overall populations of neurons in the myenteric plexus of gerbil duodenum using whole mount preparations and immunohistochemistry. The circumference of duodenum increased age-dependently. CB-immunoreactive neurons were observed in all groups, and most of them had the Dogiel type II morphology. The fully developed cobweb-like structures were observed in the myenteric plexus of duodenum at postnatal month (PM) 3 to 24. Although the highest numbers of CB-immunoreactive neurons and overall population were observed in PM 1.5, it is related with significant increase of the size of circumference between PM 1.5 to PM 3. CB-immunoreactive neurons were slightly decreased with age between PM 3 to PM 24. We have also found that whole numbers of myenteric neurons were also significantly decreased in PM 24 group. These results suggest that loss of overall numbers of myenteric neurons and CB-immunoreactive neurons may be related with age-related neurodegeneration and functional loss of duodenum in the gerbil.     

金属聚氨酯夹芯板对蚕种孵化率的影响

金属聚氨酯夹芯板是一种新型建筑材料,保温性能好,在蚕种冷藏中有高效、节能的优点,经孵化试验对蚕种孵化率没有不良影响.     

Application of nanosilver-coated zeolite as water filter media for fungal disinfection of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) eggs

This study investigated the indirect use of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) for reduction of fungal infections during incubation period of fertilized rainbow trout eggs. Different concentrations of nanosilver-coated zeolite (0.5, 1, and 1.5 % AgNPs) were compared with unmodified zeolite as water filter media in semi-recirculation systems. For testing the effect of AgNPs on reduction of fungal infection, fertilized eggs were transferred in incubators receiving water from filters coated with nanosilver. The eggs in each incubator were inoculated with Saprolegnia-infected trout eggs. Any dead or infected eggs and embryos were periodically removed, while the performance of the filters was assessed by calculating the survival rates from fertilization up to completion of the yolk–sac absorption stage. The results showed that the filters containing 0.5 % AgNPs increased the survival rate by 4.56 % from fertilization to the swim up stage compared to the control (p < 0.05). Also, the additional application of activated carbon (as absorbent media) along with AgNP-coated media in filters caused an increase of about 11.24 % in the survival rate for the larval stage (p < 0.05). In contrast to the control group with about 6 % fungal infection, no infections were observed during the incubation period in the incubators containing nanosilver-coated filters. Therefore, the final results confirmed that the indirect use of AgNPs in the aforementioned filters were significantly effective for preventing fungal infections in semi-recirculation systems for rainbow trout, making them a candidate for replacing the chemical fungicides currently used during egg incubation in hatchery systems.