RootMassLoss_QualityExperiment_JenaExperiment (MainExperiment, 2014)

This data set contains mass loss of community roots decomposing in the common plot in the Jena experiment in 2014. The Metadata contains the Dataset ID in the Jena Experiment database and detailed information of column: 'plotcode' is plot ID in the Jena Experiment; 'bag_ID' is the ID for litter bags within each decomposition experiment; 'root_type' is the type of roots in the litter bags where plot coded for community roots, lolium coded for standardized roots; 'site' is the location of where decomposition happened; 'sector' is the subplots in common plot; 'mass_initial' is root mass in the litter bags before buried in the field and handling loss is seduced already; 'mass_remain' is root mass in the litter bags at each retrieval; 'date_in' is the exact dates when the litter bags were buried. In the form of DD-MM-YY; 'date_out' is the exact dates when the litter bags were retrieved. In the form of DD-MM-YY; 'actual_decomptime' is the exact days litter bags were in the field; 'massloss' is actual mass loss =100 - mass_remain/mass_initial*100; 'std_decomptime' is standardized days litter bags were in the field; 'std_massloss' is stadardized mass loss = massloss/actual_decomp.time*std_decomp.time

100062_CN_Root_Ratio_JenaExperiment (MainExperiment, 2013)

This data set contains C:N ratio of community roots used in the root decomposition experiment. Root samples were collected in 2013 in the Main Experiments. 'Plot' is plot ID in the Jena Experiment

Relative Significance of the Negative Impacts of Hemicelluloses on Enzymatic Cellulose Hydrolysis Is Dependent on Lignin Content: Evidence from Substrate Structural Features and Protein Adsorption

The biomass recalcitrance of the lignocellulose cell wall constructed by its chemical components, especially hemicelluloses and lignin, has become a bottleneck for the efficient release of glucose. The presence of hemicelluloses has been considered as a major factor limiting the enzymatic digestibility of lignocellulose biomass. However, most of the reported works on the effect of hemicelluloses removal on cellulose hydrolysability were conducted via dilute acid pretreatment at high temperature (>160 °C), and inconsistent conclusions have been found. In the present work, we studied the effects of xylan content on enzymatic digestibility of wheat straw cellulose in the cases of high and low lignin contents. Particularly, xylan removal was achieved by sulfuric acid hydrolysis under mild conditions (120 °C) to minimize lignin melting and migration in the cell wall and lignin structure modification. As revealed by various structure characterizations, when no lignin was removed, xylan removal by dilute acid hydrolysis resulted in reduction of particle size, deformation of the cell shape, etching of the cell lumen surface, some fracture and slight delamination of cell wall, with associated great increase in porosity and specific surface area. These structural modifications greatly improved cellulose digestibility. However, the presence of residual lignin also showed significant negative impacts by physical blocking and nonproductive adsorption of cellulases. In the case of low lignin content (∼4%), cellulose fibers become liberated and significant etching, delamination, fracture and even disappearance of the walls were visualized with xylan removal, which remarkably increased the effective surface area for cellulase binding with cellulose. The finding of this work demonstrates that the limiting action of hemicelluloses seems to be not important to cellulose digestibility as that observed in high-temperature (>160 °C) dilute acid pretreatment. Delignification seems to be more efficient to improve cellulose accessibility for mild-condition (<120 °C) pretreatment. It indicates that the interaction effects between lignin and hemicelluloses as structural factors limiting cellulose digestibility should be considered for investigating the mechanisms of effects of structure features on cellulose accessibility

Additional file 1: of Circulating retinol binding protein 4 levels in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Table S1. Main demographic and biochemical characteristics of the studies included in this meta-analysis. (DOCX 29 kb

Additional file 2: of Circulating retinol binding protein 4 levels in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Table S2. Meta-regression analysis to assess the influence of continuous variables on the effect sizes in studies that compared nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients and healthy controls. (DOCX 17 kb

Rabbit aortic aneurysm model with enlarging diameter capable of better mimicking human aortic aneurysm disease

<div><p>The self-healing phenomenon can be found in the elastase-induced abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) model, and an enlarging AAA model was successfully induced by coarctation. Unfortunately, aortic coarctation in these enlarging models is generally not found in human AAA disease. This study aimed to create an experiment model of enlarging AAA in rabbits to better mimic human aortic aneurysm disease. Eighty-four male New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into three equal groups: two aneurysm groups (A and B) and a SHAM group. Aneurysm group rabbits underwent extrinsic aortic stenosis below the right renal artery and received a 10-minute incubation of 60 μl elastase (1 unit/μl). Absorbable suture was used in Group A and nonabsorbable cotton thread was used in Group B. A sham operation was performed in the SHAM group. Aortic diameter was measured after 1, 3, 7, and 15 weeks; thereafter animals were sacrificed for histopathological, immunohistochemical and quantitative studies. Two rabbits died at 29 and 48 days, respectively, after operation in Group B. All aneurysms formed and enlarged progressively by 3 weeks in the Aneurysm groups. However, diameter enlargement in Group A was significantly lower than that in Group B at 7 weeks. Aneurysm groups developed intimal hyperplasia; intima-media thickness (IMT) increased significantly by week 7, and aortic media thickness and intima-media ratio (IMR) increased significantly by week 15. Marked destruction of elastin fibers and smooth muscle cells (SMCs) occurred 1 week later and increased progressively thereafter. Intimal hyperplasia and SMCs content in Group A increased significantly by week 15 compared with Group B. Aneurysm groups exhibited strong expression of matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 and RAM11 by week 1, and decreased progressively thereafter. In conclusion, this novel rabbit AAA model enlarges progressively without coarctation and is capable of better mimicking human aortic aneurysm disease.</p></div

Profiles of aortic lumen perimeters.

<p>Media thickness increased significantly by week 15 in Group A (a); Intimal hyperplasia increased significantly by week 7 in the Aneurysm groups. Group A increased significantly by week 15 compared with Group B. (b); IMT increased significantly by week 7 in Group A (c); IMR increased significantly by week 15 in the Aneurysm groups (d). * <i>p</i> < 0.05, ** <i>p</i> < 0.01, *** <i>p</i> < 0.0001. IMR = intima-media ratio; IMT = intima-media thickness.</p

pH-Responsive Shape Memory Poly(ethylene glycol)–Poly(ε-caprolactone)-based Polyurethane/Cellulose Nanocrystals Nanocomposite

In this study, we developed a pH-responsive shape-memory polymer nanocomposite by blending poly­(ethylene glycol)–poly­(ε-caprolactone)-based polyurethane (PECU) with functionalized cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs). CNCs were functionalized with pyridine moieties (CNC–C₆H₄NO₂) through hydroxyl substitution of CNCs with pyridine-4-carbonyl chloride and with carboxyl groups (CNC–CO₂H) via 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy (TEMPO) mediated surface oxidation, respectively. At a high pH value, the CNC–C₆H₄NO₂ had attractive interactions from the hydrogen bonding between pyridine groups and hydroxyl moieties; at a low pH value, the interactions reduced or disappeared due to the protonation of pyridine groups, which are a Lewis base. The CNC–CO₂H responded to pH variation in an opposite manner. The hydrogen bonding interactions of both CNC–C₆H₄NO₂ and CNC–CO₂H can be readily disassociated by altering pH values, endowing the pH-responsiveness of CNCs. When these functionalized CNCs were added in PECU polymer matrix to form nanocomposite network which was confirmed with rheological measurements, the mechanical properties of PECU were not only obviously improved but also the pH-responsiveness of CNCs could be transferred to the nanocomposite network. The pH-sensitive CNC percolation network in polymer matrix served as the switch units of shape-memory polymers (SMPs). Furthermore, the modified CNC percolation network and polymer molecular chains also had strong hydrogen bonding interactions among hydroxyl, carboxyl, pyridine moieties, and isocyanate groups, which could be formed or destroyed through changing pH value. The shape memory function of the nanocomposite network was only dependent on the pH variation of the environment. Therefore, this pH-responsive shape-memory nancomposite could be potentially developed into a new smart polymer material

Follow-up of aortic diameter by IVDSA.

<p>Aneurysm and proximal stenosis was obvious in Group A after 3 weeks (a). Aneurysm enlarged further and stenosis disappeared in Group A after 15 weeks (b). (c) Profile of diameter changes indicated that Aneurysm groups dilated progressively, but diameter enlargement in Group A was significantly lower than in Group B at 7 weeks. *** <i>p</i> < 0.0001, Group B compared with Group A and SHAM group; +++ <i>p</i> < 0.0001, Group A compared with SHAM group.</p

Profiles of elatin content change by EVG staining.

<p>Elastin fibers were destroyed markedly by week 1, and elastin increased progressively thereafter. **<i>p</i> < 0.01, ***<i>p</i> < 0.0001. Original magnification ×400.</p