Ferromagnetic and insulating behavior in both half magnetic levitation and non-levitation LK-99 like samples

Finding materials exhibiting superconductivity at room temperature has long been one of the ultimate goals in physics and material science. Recently, room-temperature superconducting properties have been claimed in a copper substituted lead phosphate apatite (Pb$_{10-x}$Cu$_x$(PO$_4$)$_6$O, or called LK-99) [1-3]. Using a similar approach, we have prepared LK-99 like samples and confirmed the half-levitation behaviors in some small specimens under the influence of a magnet at room temperature. To examine the magnetic properties of our samples, we have performed systematic magnetization measurements on the as-grown LK-99-like samples, including the half-levitated and non-levitated samples. The magnetization measurements show the coexistence of soft-ferromagnetic and diamagnetic signals in both half-levitated and non-levitated samples. The electrical transport measurements on the as-grown LK-99-like samples including both half-levitated and non-levitated samples show an insulating behavior characterized by the increasing resistivity with the decreasing temperature

Effect of High Temperature Storage Condition on Quality Deterioration of Peanut Oil and Protein

Peanut is an important oilseed crop, susceptible to quality deterioration under harsh storage conditions because of its high oil content. In order to explore the effects of different storage temperatures on peanut quality under normal humidity conditions, in-shell peanuts were stored at 15, 25 or 35 ℃ for up to 30 weeks. Indicators of lipid oxidation: acid value (AV), peroxide value (PV), and malondialdehyde (MDA) content; indicators of protein oxidation: carbonyl, sulfhydryl, disulfide bond contents; and the activities of oxidation-related enzymes: lipase (LPS), lipoxygenase (LOX) and peroxidase (POD) were tested. The results showed that the AV increased from (0.48 ± 0.01) to (1.78 ± 0.02) mg/g and the carbonyl content from (3.19 ± 0.24) to (118.61 ± 6.41) μmol/g over the storage period at 25 ℃. Meanwhile, at the end of storage, the highest lipase and lipoxygenase activities were observed in the sample stored at 35 ℃, which were (59.00 ± 1.70) and (1 287.17 ± 98.45) U/g, respectively; the AV increased from (0.48 ± 0.01) to (3.15 ± 0.10) mg/g, the MDA content from 23.03 to 1 039.63 nmol/g, and the carbonyl content from (3.19 ± 0.24) to (124.86 ± 3.07) μmol/g. At 15 ℃, the highest lipase and lipoxygenase activities were only (41.60 ± 1.23) and (1 036.14 ± 34.49) U/g, respectively and the peroxide and carbonyl contents increased by 18.4 and 17.1 times after 30 days of storage, respectively, reaching much lower levels than those at the other temperatures. In conclusion, storage at normal humidity and at 15 ℃ can effectively suppress the oxidase activity at a low level at all time points, resulting in a low degree of oxidation of peanut oil and protein, while high ambient temperature increases the oxidase activity, and the higher the temperature, the higher the enzyme activity, and the higher the contents of primary and secondary oxidation products in oil, indicating a higher degree of peroxidation. Moreover, protein oxidation also occurs due to the oxidation of amino acid side chains and protein structural damage, ultimately leading to a decline in peanut quality

Investigating the Role of P311 in the Hypertrophic Scar

The mechanisms of hypertrophic scar formation are not fully understood. We previously screened the differentially expressed genes of human hypertrophic scar tissue and identified P311 gene as upregulated. As the activities of P311 in human fibroblast function are unknown, we examined the distribution of it and the effects of forced expression or silencing of expression of P311. P311 expression was detected in fibroblast-like cells from the hypertrophic scar of burn injury patients but not in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, epidermal cells or normal skin dermal cells. Transfection of fibroblasts with P311 gene stimulated the expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), TGF-β1 and α1(I) collagen (COL1A1), and enhanced the contraction of fibroblast populated collagen lattices (FPCL). In contrast, interference of fibroblast P311 gene expression decreased the TGF-β1 mRNA expression and reduced the contraction of fibroblasts in FPCL. These results suggest that P311 may be involved in the pathogenesis of hypertrophic scar via induction of a myofibroblastic phenotype and of functions such as TGF-β1 expression. P311 could be a novel target for the control of hypertrophic scar development

The effect of in vitro digestion on the interaction between polysaccharides derived from Pleurotus eryngii and intestinal mucus

Pleurotus eryngii polysaccharides (PEPs) have been proven to display multiple activities through digestive system action, from which the digestion products should first interact with intestinal mucus (MUC), followed by the function of intestinal cells. Hence, possible interacting characterizations between MUC and in vitro simulated digestion products of P. eryngii polysaccharides (DPEPs) and PEP were carried out in the present study. Results showed that both PEP and DPEP could significantly interact with MUC. Moreover, digestion can modify the interaction between polysaccharides and MUC; the degree of interaction also changes with time incrementing. Viscosity could be decreased after digesting. According to the zeta potential and stability analysis result, the digestive behavior could be regular and stable between polysaccharides and MUC interactions. Following fluorescence and infrared spectra, the structure of polysaccharides and mucin might be changed by digestion between polysaccharides and MUC. The study indicates that the interaction formed between DPEP and MUC might indirectly impact the exercise and immune activities of polysaccharides and influence the transportation of other nutrients. Overall, our results, the absorption and transport pathways of PEP, can be initially revealed and may provide a novel research viewpoint on the active mechanism of PEP in the intestinal tract

The effect of P311 on fibroblast functions after P311 gene upregulation.

<p>Total RNA was isolated from fibroblasts and RT-PCR was performed to compare α-SMA, TGF-β1 and α1(I) collagen gene(COL1A1) mRNA levels in different treated groups. (A) Hypertrophic scar-derived fibroblast-like cells were transduced with adenovirus P311 and cultured as described under <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0009995#s2" target="_blank">materials and methods</a>. The groups were designed as Sc (hypertrophic scar-derived fibroblast-like cells), Sc+Ad (hypertrophic scar-derived fibroblast-like cells +adenovirus void vector) and Sc+P311 (hypertrophic scar-derived fibroblast-like cells +P311). (B) Normal skin-derived fibroblasts were transduced with adenovirus P311. The groups were Sk (normal skin-derived fibroblasts), Sk+Ad (normal skin-derived fibroblasts+adenovirus void vector) and Sk+P311 (normal skin-derived fibroblasts+P311), * means P<0.01 between the two groups. (C, D) Transduction of P311 into normal skin-derived fibroblasts increased the S-Phase cell fraction as determined by FACS. (C) Control group (×200). (D) P311 transduced group (×200). A representative analysis of 3 experiments is shown.</p

The contraction of collagen by fibroblasts.

<p>Normal skin- and hypertrophic scar-derived fibroblasts were transduced with recombinant adenovirus P311 as described in <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0009995#s2" target="_blank">Materials and Methods</a> Section. The groups were designed as Sk (normal skin-derived fibroblasts), Sk+Ad (normal skin-derived fibroblasts+adenovirus void vector), Sk+P311 (normal skin-derived fibroblasts+P311), Sc (hypertrophic scar-derived fibroblast-like cells), Sc+Ad (hypertrophic scar-derived fibroblast-like cells +adenovirus void vector and Sc+P311 (hypertrophic scar-derived fibroblast-like cells +P31). (A) Normal skin- and hypertrophic scar-derived fibroblasts were transduced with adenovirus P311, and cultured in a collagen lattice for 13 days. (B) P311 enhanced the contractile ability of fibroblasts obviously. The FPCL model was cultured for 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks. The contraction index was calculated as previous described. * means p<0.01 as compared with the control group without P311. ▴ means p<0.01 between hypertrophic scar-derived fibroblast-like cells and normal skin-derived fibroblasts. A representative analysis of 3 experiments is shown.</p

The expression of TGF-β1 by fibroblasts after P311 shRNA plasmid transfection.

<p>(A) Total protein was extracted from hypertrophic scar-derived fibroblast-like cells transfected with P311 shRNA plasmids. Western blotting demonstrated that shRNA1 plasmid was the most effective plasmid for silencing P311 protein expression in fibroblasts. * means P<0.01 between the two groups. (A1) The expression of P311 protein is demonstrated by Western blotting. (A2) The lowest expression of P311 protein was found in shRNA1 group. (B) Hypertrophic scar-derived fibroblast-like cells transfected with P311 shRNA plasmids showed lower expression of TGF-β1 than control. * means P<0.01 between the two groups. (B1) Total RNA was isolated from hypertrophic scar-derived fibroblast-like cells and RT-PCR was performed to determine TGF-β1 mRNA level. (B2) Histogram showed the downregulation of TGF-β1 mRNA level in P311 silenced hypertrophic scar-derived fibroblast-like cells. (C) Hypertrophic scar-derived fibroblast-like cells were transduced with shRNA of P311. The groups were Sc+control (hypertrophic scar-derived fibroblast-like cells + negtive vector (control)) and Sc+ shRNA1 (hypertrophic scar-derived fibroblast-like cells + P311 shRNA1). (C1) Hypertrophic scar-derived fibroblast-like cells were transfected with P311 shRNA plasmids and cultured in a collagen lattice for 2 weeks. (C2) Absence of P311 inhibited the contractile ability of hypertrophic scar-derived fibroblasts. * means p<0.01 considered as statistical significance as compared with the control group with negative shRNA plasmids (control). A representative analysis of 3 experiments is shown.</p