Nutrient and feed value analysis in leaves of cassava wild species and cultivars

Objective: In order to provide reference for developing cassava leaves as feed resources nutritional components in leaves of cassava wild species and cultivars were studied. Method: Nutritional components including crude lipid, crude protein, soluble sugar, starch, carotenoid and HCN contents in functional leaves of eight cassava germplasms (three cassava wild species and five cultivars) were determined. The expression levels of proteases (UGPase, AGPase, GBSSI and Linamarase) were determined using Western blotting method. Result: Among eight cassava germplasms，wild species Manihot cecropiaefolia Phhl contained the highest starch content in functional leaves, which was 2.5 g/100 gDW, the highest soluble sugar content which was 30.0 g/100 gDW and the highest carotenoid content which wsa 91.9 mg/100 gFW, but protein and hydrocyanic acid contents were at moderate level. Cultivar SC9 contained moderate protein and soluble sugar contents in functional leaves，and the lowest HCN content which was 167 mg/kgFW. According to Western blotting analysis，expression levels of key enzymes, UGPase, AGPase and GBSSI, for sugar and starch metabolic pathway were the highest in M. cecropiaefolia Phhl; while key enzyme Linamarase for SC9 HCN metabolic pathway was the lowest. Expression levels of all proteins were in accordance with related physiological indexes variation trend. Principal component analysis revealed that, the cassava germplasms with high starch and soluble sugar content in leaf were tend to contain low crude lipid content; and the ones with high soluble sugar, crude protein and carotenoid contents would contain low HCN content. Conclusion: Comprehensive nutritional value of functional leaves in cassava wild species M. cecropiaefolia Phhl is high, which may be developed as feed resources for livestock and silkworm. HCN content in cultivar SC9 fresh leaf is low, thus it can be used as feed for silkworm

THE PROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF CASSAVA ( MANIHOT ESCULENTA CRANTZ ) LEAF FLAVONOID EXTRACTS ON LIVER DAMAGE OF CARBON TETRACHLORIDE INJURED MICE

Background: Cassava leaf contains many kinds of flavonoids, most of flavonoids function as effective antioxidants in vivo. The protective effects of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) leaf flavonoid extracts on liver damage were evaluated by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced injury in mice. Materials and methods: The protective effects of cassava leaf flavonoid extracts on liver damage were evaluated using CCl4-induced injury in mice. The mice were weighted to calculate sample quantity of mice. Bloods were taken to evaluate ALT and AST of serums. Livers were excised and weighted, and fixed for pathological observation. Prepared 10% liver tissue homogenate was used to evaluate MDA, SOD, GSH-PX levels. Results: Cassava leaf flavonoid extracts significantly decreased (p < 0.05) the relative liver weight when compared with the CCl4-treated group. The contents of ALT and AST in serum of experiment mice declined significantly when compared to those of the CCl4-treated group, but did not reach normal levels of control group. Pathological observation of livers showed that cassava leaf flavonoid extracts significantly ameliorated the CCl4-induced pathological changes. Conclusion These results provided biological evidence that cassava leaf flavonoid extracts indeed expressed potential efficacy of prohibiting liver injury in mice

Computer, internet and you : hidden dangers you never knew.

An in-depth feature that examines problems caused by excessive use of the computer and its network, the Internet, covering the manifest or physical problems resulting from excessive computer use, and the latent or mental and emotional problems that affect users’ minds.Bachelor of Communication Studie

MicroRNA-125b Affects Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Function by Targeting Serum Response Factor

Background/Aims: Increasing evidence links microRNAs to the pathogenesis of peripheral vascular disease. We recently found microRNA-125b (miR-125b) to be one of the most significantly down‑regulated microRNAs in human arteries with arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO) of the lower extremities. However, its function in the process of ASO remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the expression, regulatory mechanisms, and functions of miR-125b in the process of ASO. Methods: Using the tissue explants adherent method, vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) were prepared for this study. A rat carotid artery balloon injury model was constructed to simulate the development of vascular neointima, and a lentiviral transduction system was used to overexpress serum response factor (SRF) or miR-125b. Quantitative real‑time PCR (qRT‑PCR) was used to detect the expression levels of miR‑125b and SRF mRNA. Western blotting was performed to determine the expression levels of SRF and Ki67. In situ hybridization analysis was used to analyze the location and expression levels of miR-125b. CCK-8 and EdU assays were used to assess cell proliferation, and transwell and wound closure assays were performed to measure cell migration. Flow cytometry was used to evaluate cell apoptosis, and a dual-luciferase reporter assay was conducted to examine the effects of miR‑125b on SRF. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence analyses were performed to analyze the location and expression levels of SRF and Ki67. Results: miR-125b expression was decreased in ASO arteries and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB-stimulated VSMCs. miR-125b suppressed VSMC proliferation and migration but promoted VSMC apoptosis. SRF was determined to be a direct target of miR-125b. Exogenous miR-125b expression modulated SRF expression and inhibited vascular neointimal formation in balloon-injured rat carotid arteries. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate a specific role of the miR-125b/SRF pathway in regulating VSMC function and suggest that modulating miR-125b levels might be a novel approach for treating ASO

Enzyme-MXene Nanosheets: Fabrication and Application in Electrochemical Detection of H2O2

Two-dimensional MXene nanosheets with vertical junction structure was employed for easy immobilization of horse radish peroxidase enzymes to fabricate the electrochemical hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) biosensor. The synthesized MXene nanosheets exhibited large specific area, excellent electronic conductivity and good dispersion in aqueous phase. Horse Radish Peroxidase (HRP) enzymes molecules immobilized on MXene/chitosan/GCE electrode demonstrated good electrocatalytic activity toward reduction of H2O2. The fabricated HRP@MXene/chitosan/GCE biosensor exhibited a wide linear range from 5 to 1650 mu mol.L-1, a limit of detection of 0.74 mu mol.L-1 and good operation stability. The fabricated biosensor was successfully employed for detection of trace level of H2O2 in both solid and liquid food

Interface modification of carbon fibers with TiC/Ti2AlC coating and its effect on the tensile strength

Interface modification of carbon fibers with TiC/Ti2AlC coating and its effect on the tensile strengt

Thermodynamic description of the Dy-Si-C system in silicon carbide ceramics

To predict the thermal behaviors of Dy3Si2C2 during sintering or joining process of the silicon carbide (SiC) ceramics, we established a detailed thermodynamic description of Dy-Si-C by coupling the first-principles calculations and the CALPHAD (CALculation of PHAse Diagram) approach. First-principles calculations were applied to acquire the formation enthalpies of key compounds, which can perform as end-members during optimization. We proposed a first Dy-C binary phase diagram referred to other RE-C (RE = La, Ce and Pr) systems. The Dy-Si system, previously described with the modified quasichemical model (MQM), was modeled based on the random-mixing Bragg Williams model in this work. The presently obtained thermodynamic parameters can reasonably reproduce the available experimental data and elucidate the thermal behaviors of Dy3Si2C2. We calculated that Dy3Si2C2 reacted with SiC via ternary eutectic reaction at 1432 degrees C, which was consistent with the reported experimental results. Further work of other SiC-based systems may provide foresight to explore new sintering aids in ceramics