Effect of Asafoetida Extract on Growth and Quality of Pleurotus ferulic

Different concentrations of asafoetida extract were added to the medium of Pleurotus ferulic and the effects of the extract on growth of P. ferulic mycelium and fruiting bodies was observed. As the amount of asafoetida extract additive was increased, the growth of Pleurotus mycelium was faster, the time formation of buds was shorter and that yield of fruiting bodies was stimulated. However, overdosing of asafoetida extract hampered the growth of Pleurotus ferulic. The amino acid composition and volatile components in three kinds of pleurotus’ were contrasted, including wild pleurotus (WP), cultivated pleurotus with asafoetida extract (CPAE) and cultivated pleurotus without asafoetida extract (CP). CPAE with 2.3 g/100 g asafoetida extract addition had the highest content of total amino acids, as well as essential amino acids. WP had a higher content of total amino acids and essential amino acids than CP. In addition, CPAE with 2.3 g/100 g had the highest score of protein content of pleurotus fruiting bodies, while WP had a higher score than CP. In the score of essential amino acid components of pleurotus fruiting bodies, CP had the highest score, while CPAE was higher than WP. Asafoetida extract influenced the volatile components of Pleurotus ferulic greatly, making the volatile components of cultivated pleurotus more similar to those of wild pleurotus (WP)

Disruption of dendritic Arc/Arg3.1-translation impairs a unique intermediate phase of hippocampus-dependent memory

Für die Konsolidierung der synaptischen Plastizität und des Langzeit- Gedächtnisses wird die Biosynthese der mRNAs und Proteine benötigt. Eine der zentralen Fragestellungen im Bereich der Neurowissenschaften beschäftigt sich daher mit der Identifizierung aktivitätsregulierter Gene und der Charakterisierung ihrer Funktion bei den aktivitätsinduzierten Prozessen der synaptischen Plastizität. Arc/Arg3.1 wurde vor 13 Jahren als unmittelbar frühes Gen nach neuronaler Aktivität in unserem Labor identifiziert. Besonders bemerkenswert ist, dass nach der robusten Induktion der Arc/Arg3.1-Expression die Arc/Arg3.1-mRNA in die Dendriten transportiert wird und dort selektiv im Bereich der aktivierten Synapsen akkumuliert. Die dendritische Lokalisation der Transkripte bietet die Möglichkeit zur lokalen Translation von Arc/Arg3.1 an der Synapse und kann zu aktivitätsinduzierten synapsenspezifischen Modifizierungen beitragen. Die essentielle Rolle von Arc/Arg3.1 für die Konsolidierung der synaptischen Plastizität und des Langzeit-Gedächtnisses wird durch die elektrophysiologischen und Verhaltensphenotypen der Arc/Arg3.1 -Knockout-Mäuse bestätigt. Um die funktionelle Rolle der dendritischen Translation der Arc/Arg3.1-mRNA in vivo zu untersuchen wurde in dieser Arbeit eine transgene (tg) Mauslinie mit dem Arc/Arg3.1-Knockout-Hintergrund generiert. Die tg-Mäuse tragen ein P1 derived artificial chromosome (PAC), in dem die 3’UTR-Sequenz des Arc/Arg3.1-Gens mit der 3’UTR-Sequenz des egr1/zif268-Gens ausgetauscht und demzufolge die dem dendritischen mRNA- Transport benötigten Sequenz mutiert wurde. Die Verhinderung des dendritischen mRNA-Transports wurde durch in situ Analyse bestätigt. Die Expressionsanalysen des Arc/Arg3.1-Proteins zeigten aber überraschenderweise eine unveränderte konstitutive Arc/Arg3.1-Expression in den Postsynapsen der tg-Mäuse auf. Das Arc/Arg3.1-Protein ist in den Dendriten lokalisiert, in der PSD angereichert und über das Gerüstprotein PSD-95/SAP90 mit dem postsynaptischen Proteinnetzwerk assoziiert. Diese experimentellen Befunde liefern uns einen spannenden Hinweis, dass das Arc/Arg3.1-Protein neben der dendritischen Translation auch über einen Mechanismus des aktiven Protein-Transports zielgerichtet in die Postsynapsen verteilt werden kann. Der Zeitverlauf der Gedächtniskonsolidierung in den tg-Mäusen während der kontextabhängigen Angstkonditionierung macht den spezifischen Beitrag der dendritischen Arc/Arg3.1-mRNA-Expression sichtbar. Die tg-Tiere zeigten eine selektive Reduktion des intermediären Gedächtnisses (24 h), während ihr Langzeit- Gedächtnis (2 Wochen) unbeeinträchtigt ist. Daher wurde zum ersten Mal im Säugetier eine intermediäre Phase des hippokampusabhängigen Gedächtnisses nachgewiesen, die von der dendritischen Arc/Arg3.1-Synthese abhängig ist. Darüber hinaus wurde aufgrund des unveränderten Langzeit-Gedächtnisses in den tg-Mäusen und des vollständigen Verlusts des Langzeit-Gedächtnisses in den ko- Mäusen die wesentliche Bedeutung des somatisch synthetisierten Arc/Arg3.1-Proteins für die langfristige Gedächtnis-Retention sichtbar. Die in dieser Arbeit gewonnenen Erkenntnisse erlauben uns, ein neues, zelluläres Modell für die Arc/Arg3.1-abhängige Gedächtnis-Speicherung vorzustellen.Local protein synthesis in dendrites is thought to play an important role in enduring forms of synaptic plasticity. Arc/Arg3.1 transcription is robustly induced by LTP-producing stimulation and the mRNA is transported to dendrites. Within dendrites Arc/Arg3.1 mRNA can be specifically targeted to stimulated synaptic areas, suggesting that it may be translated on site. Consolidation of long-lasting synaptic plasticity and memories is strongly impaired in Arc/Arg3.1 knockout (ko) animals. To test the functional role of dendritic mRNA transport of Arc/Arg3.1 in vivo, we generated a transgenic (tg) mouse line in the ko-background. The tg mouse harbors a P1 derived artificial chromosome (PAC) in which we mutated the sequence required for dendritic mRNA targeting. Surprisingly, in these animals Arc/Arg3.1 protein was still present in dendrites and in postsynapses. However, behavioral studies indicate striking deficits in the formation of intermediate-term but not long-term memories. The results of this thesis provide the basis for a novel model of memory consolidation in mammals

Formation of blue deposits in kraft recovery boilers

Fireside deposits in recovery boilers are typically white, red, pink, grey, black, or occasionally yel - low, depending on where they are in the boiler, the mechanisms by which they are formed, and the environment to which they are exposed. Although rare, blue deposits have been reported, and some were “bluer” than others. This study systematically examines the cause of the blue coloration of deposits in recovery boilers. The results show that for a deposit to become blue, it must a) contain sodium carbonate, b) contain a small amount of manganese, c) be molten or partially molten, and d) have exposure to an oxidizing atmosphere. Because deposits always contain sodi - um carbonate and manganese, these requirements suggest that blue deposits can form only in the superheater region of the recovery boiler when oxidizing conditions prevail. Blue coloration is thus more likely to be observed in boilers operating at a reduced firing load with a high excess oxygen target.This work was conducted as part of the research program on “Increasing Energy and Chemical Recovery Efficiency in the Kraft Process – III,” jointly supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and a consortium of the following companies: Andritz, AV Nacka - wic, Babcock & Wilcox, Boise, Carter Holt Harvey, Celulose Nipo-Brasileira, Clyde-Bergemann, DMI Peace River Pulp, El - dorado, ERCO Worldwide, Fibria, FPInnovations, Internation - al Paper, Irving Pulp & Paper, Kiln Flame Systems, Klabin, WestRock, StoraEnso Research, Suzano, Tembec, Tolko Indus - tries, and Valmet

Measurement of free lime content in lime mud

Overliming and the consequent presence of unreacted lime (or free lime) in the lime mud are commonly believed to be the cause of many problems in the operation of causticizing plants and lime kilns in kraft pulp mills. The free lime content in lime mud is typically determined in mill laboratories using a so-called ammonium chloride (NH 4 Cl) method and in commercial laboratories using a thermal decomposition (TD) method. Over the years, we analyzed many lime mud samples from mills and found that the free lime content was consistently low, < 3 wt% calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH) 2 ), even in cases where overliming was suspected to have caused problems. A systematic study was therefore conducted to investigate the validity of free-lime measurement methods, the reason for the consistently low free lime content in lime mud, and if free lime values can be used to indicate overliming. The results show that the NH 4 Cl method is not suitable for determining free lime. The TD method is good, but the possible interference of magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH) 2 ) must be taken into account. Since most pulp mills perform their free lime analysis on mud samples collected from pre-coat filters which have been washed, the resulting free lime value is low, and thus, cannot be used to assess the extent of overliming in the causticizing plant.This work was conducted as part of the research program on “Increasing Energy and Chemical Recovery Efficiency in the Kraft Process – III,” jointly supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and a consortium of the following companies: Andritz, AV Nacka - wic, Babcock & Wilcox, Boise, Carter Holt Harvey, Celulose Nipo-Brasileira, Clyde-Bergemann, DMI Peace River Pulp, El - dorado, ERCO Worldwide, Fibria, FP Innovations, Interna - tional Paper, Irving Pulp & Paper, Kiln Flame Systems, Klabin, MeadWestvaco, StoraEnso Research, Suzano, Tembec, Tolko Industries, and Valme

Effect of composition on the first melting temperature of fireside deposits in recovery boilers

The first melting temperature (FMT) of fireside deposits—the temperature at which a deposit begins to melt—is a vitally important factor in minimizing superheater corrosion in kraft recovery boilers. This study examines the correlation between deposit composition and FMT. Chemical analysis of more than 150 deposits and precipitator dusts from various recovery boilers showed that of the minor components in the deposit, potassium has the greatest impact in lowering the FMT. Carbonate can also lower the FMT, but the effect is much smaller than potassium. Sulfide has an even smaller effect. Since deposits usually contain some chloride, an increase in chloride content has little effect on the FMT. These differences in the effects of individual components on the FMT of boiler deposits can be explained using phase-equilibrium principles. A temperature contour map was constructed from the data. This map can be used to determine the FMT of a typical deposit as a function of potassium and carbonate contents. Application: Provides a method of predicting first melting temperatures of fireside deposits in the recovery boiler. Using this approach, mills can minimize superheater corrosion by operating below the identified temperature threshold.This work is part of the research on “Control of Recovery Boiler Fireside Deposits and Corrosion,” supported by NSERC through its CRD program and by ABB Power Generation Segment, Ahlström Corporation, Aracruz Celulose S.A., Avenor Inc., Babcock & Wilcox Company, Boise Cascade Corporation, ClydeBergemann Inc., Champion International Corporation, Diamond Power Specialty Company, E.B. Eddy Forest Products Ltd., Georgia Pacific Corporation, International Paper Company, Irving Pulp & Paper Ltd., James River Corporation, Kværner Pulping Technologies, Potlatch Corporation, Union Camp Corporation, Westvaco Corporation, Weyerhaeuser Company, and Willamette Industries Inc

Effects of chemical composition on the removability of recovery boiler fireside deposits

Effective removal of fireside deposits by sootblowers in a kraft recovery boiler is critically important for maintaining stable operation of the boiler. The removability of recovery boiler deposits was studied under simulated conditions in the laboratory using an entrained flow reactor (EFR) coupled with an air jet blow-off apparatus. Synthetic carryover particles were fed into the EFR controlled at 800 C. The resulting deposits, which collected on an air-cooled probe at the EFR exit, were removed with a high-pressure air jet. The results show that the required peak impact pressure (PIP) of the jet to remove a deposit increased markedly with an increase in the chloride content of the deposit, and, to a lesser extent, with an increase in potassium and carbonate content. The combined effect of these components was significantly greater than the sum of the effects of individual components. The results also show that deposits were more difficult to remove as the tube surface temperature increased.This work is part of the research program on “Improving Recovery Boiler Performance, Emission and Safety” jointly supported by ABB Alstom Power Inc., Ahlstrom Corporation, Aracruz Celulose S.A., Babcock & Wilcox Company, Boise Cascade Corporation, Bowater Canada Inc., Clyde-Bergemann Inc., Champion International Corporation, Daishowa-Marubeni International Ltd., Domtar Inc., Domtar-Eddy Specialty Papers Ltd., Georgia Pacific Corporation, International Paper Company, Irving Pulp & Paper Limited, Kvaerner Pulping Technologies, Potlatch Corporation, Stora Enso Research AB, Votorantim Celulose e Papel, Westvaco Corporation, Weyerhaeuser Company, Willamette Industries Inc., and by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) through its Industry-Oriented Research (IOR) Grant Program

The Prognostic Value of Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes in Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND:The prognostic values of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and TILs subsets in breast cancer (BC) are uncertain. METHODS:A systematic literature search (MEDLINE, Web of Science, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library to August 2014) was conducted for studies which met the eligibility criteria. The primary clinical outcome was defined as disease-free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS), and BC-specific survival (BCSS). Random or fixed-effects model was adopted to estimate the summary hazard ratio (HR). RESULTS:Twenty-five published studies comprising 22,964 patients were reviewed. Pooled analysis indicated that TILs were not prognostic markers for DFS and OS in overall population, but related to improved DFS (HR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.76-0.88) and OS (HR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.71-0.87) in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients. For TILs subsets, CD8+ lymphocytes were associated with improved DFS (HR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.56-0.84) and BCSS (HR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.71-0.86) in overall population, while FOXP3+ lymphocytes were associated with reduced DFS (HR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.01-2.05) and OS (HR, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.15-1.97). In estrogen receptor (ER) negative patients, CD8+ lymphocytes was also related to better BCSS. In addition, the high density of CD20+, CD3+ or low level of PD-1+ or γδ T lymphocytes indicated increased OS in limited studies. CONCLUSION:TILs and TILs subsets are promising prognostic biomarkers in breast cancer, especially in TNBC

BDNF-induced LTP is associated with rapid Arc/Arg3.1-dependent enhancement in adult hippocampal neurogenesis

Adult neurogenesis in the hippocampus is a remarkable phenomenon involved in various aspects of learning and memory as well as disease pathophysiology. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) represents a major player in the regulation of this unique form of neuroplasticity, yet the mechanisms underlying its pro-neurogenic actions remain unclear. Here, we examined the effects associated with brief (25 min), unilateral infusion of BDNF in the rat dentate gyrus. Acute BDNF infusion induced long-term potentiation (LTP) of medial perforant path-evoked synaptic transmission and, concomitantly, enhanced hippocampal neurogenesis bilaterally, reflected by increased dentate gyrus BrdU + cell numbers. Importantly, inhibition of activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein (Arc/Arg3.1) translation through local, unilateral infusion of anti-sense oligodeoxynucleotides (ArcAS) prior to BDNF infusion blocked both BDNF-LTP induction and the associated pro-neurogenic effects. Notably, basal rates of proliferation and newborn cell survival were unaltered in homozygous Arc/Arg3.1 knockout mice. Taken together these findings link the pro-neurogenic effects of acute BDNF infusion to induction of Arc/Arg3.1-dependent LTP in the adult rodent dentate gyrus

A Novel TiZrHfMoNb High-Entropy Alloy for Solar Thermal Energy Storage

An equiatomic TiZrHfMoNb high-entropy alloy (HEA) was developed as a solar thermal energy storage material due to its outstanding performance of hydrogen absorption. The TiZrHfMoNb alloy transforms from a body-centered cubic (BCC) structure to a face-centered cubic (FCC) structure during hydrogen absorption and can reversibly transform back to the BCC structure after hydrogen desorption. The theoretical calculations demonstrated that before hydrogenation, the BCC structure for the alloy has more stable energy than the FCC structure while the FCC structure is preferred after hydrogenation. The outstanding hydrogen absorption of the reversible single-phase transformation during the hydrogen absorption&#8315;desorption cycle improves the hydrogen recycling rate and the energy efficiency, which indicates that the TiZrHfMoNb alloy could be an excellent candidate for solar thermal energy storage