Transgenic studies reveal the positive role of LeEIL-1 in regulating shikonin biosynthesis in Lithospermum erythrorhizon hairy roots

Time-course accumulation of shikonin in four typical hairy root lines. Value of Ei-19 or EO-13 is significantly different from that of the control line WT-1 or EV-9 at each time point from 3 to 12 days, respectively (Student’s t-test, P < 0.05). (TIF 125 kb

Background and roles: myosin in autoimmune diseases

The myosin superfamily is a group of molecular motors. Autoimmune diseases are characterized by dysregulation or deficiency of the immune tolerance mechanism, resulting in an immune response to the human body itself. The link between myosin and autoimmune diseases is much more complex than scientists had hoped. Myosin itself immunization can induce experimental autoimmune diseases of animals, and myosins were abnormally expressed in a number of autoimmune diseases. Additionally, myosin takes part in the pathological process of multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, autoimmune myocarditis, myositis, hemopathy, inclusion body diseases, etc. However, research on myosin and its involvement in the occurrence and development of diseases is still in its infancy, and the underlying pathological mechanisms are not well understood. We can reasonably predict that myosin might play a role in new treatments of autoimmune diseases

Circulation of reassortant influenza A(H7N9) viruses in poultry and humans, Guangdong Province, China, 2013.

Influenza A(H7N9) virus emerged in eastern China in February 2013 and continues to circulate in this region, but its ecology is poorly understood. In April 2013, the Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) implemented environmental and human syndromic surveillance for the virus. Environmental samples from poultry markets in 21 city CDCs (n=8,942) and respiratory samples from persons with influenza-like illness or pneumonia (n=32,342) were tested; viruses isolated from 6 environmental samples and 16 patients were sequenced. Sequence analysis showed co-circulation of 4 influenza A(H7N9) virus strains that evolved by reassortment with avian influenza A(H9N2) viruses circulating in this region. In addition, an increase in human cases starting in late 2013 coincided with an increase in influenza A H7 virus isolates detected by environmental surveillance. Co-circulation of multiple avian influenza viruses that can infect humans highlights the need for increased surveillance of poultry and potential environmental sources.This study was financially supported by 12th five-year-major-projects of China’s Ministry of Public Health. Grant No: 2012zx10004-213 and by the PREDICT Surveillance Animal Human Interface Project of GVF. Grant No: Gvf: 06-09-057-02.This is the accepted version. It'll be replaced with the final pdf when it's available

Since 2015 the SinoGerman research project SIGN supports water quality improvement in the Taihu region, China

The Taihu (Tai lake) region is one of the most economically prospering areas of China. Due to its location within this district of high anthropogenic activities, Taihu represents a drastic example of water pollution with nutrients (nitrogen, phosphate), organic contaminants and heavy metals. High nutrient levels combined with very shallow water create large eutrophication problems, threatening the drinking water supply of the surrounding cities. Within the international research project SIGN (SinoGerman Water Supply Network, www.water-sign.de), funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), a powerful consortium of fifteen German partners is working on the overall aim of assuring good water quality from the source to the tap by taking the whole water cycle into account: The diverse research topics range from future proof strategies for urban catchment, innovative monitoring and early warning approaches for lake and drinking water, control and use of biological degradation processes, efficient water treatment technologies, adapted water distribution up to promoting sector policy by good governance. The implementation in China is warranted, since the leading Chinese research institutes as well as the most important local stakeholders, e.g. water suppliers, are involved

Periodic solutions of a nonautonomous predator-prey model with a constant refuge

We consider the nonautonomous predator-preymodel with a constant refuge. Some new and interesting sufficient conditions are obtained for the global existence of the positive periodic solutions of such a model. Our method is based on Mawhin’s coincidence degree and novel estimation techniques for the a priori bounds of unknown solutions to Lx = λNx

Development and Characteristic of 3D-Printable Mortar with Waste Glass Powder

Three-dimensional concrete printing (3DCP) is emerging as an innovative technology and shows promise to revolutionize conventional construction modes. However, the current 3D-printed concrete (3DPC) generally requires higher cement content than conventional concrete to ensure its rheology for printing. From the perspective of cleaner production and reduce carbon emissions, this study explored the feasibility of replacing parts of cement with waste glass powder (WGP, 0%, 20%, 40%, and 60% by mass) and compared the properties of the developed 3DPC, including fluidity (flowable spread), rheology, heat of hydration, buildability, compressive strength, anisotropy, and drying shrinkage. The results showed that less than 40% WGP replacement had limited influence on the initial fluidity and static yield stress, as well as drying shrinkage, of 3DPC. Although the WGP inclusion decreased the compressive strength, it slowed down the fluidity loss and static yield stress increase, which could extend the workable time of the mixture for printing and improve buildability. The 40% WGP replacement was found increase to the buildability of the printing mixture from 150 mm to 155 mm. The printing mixture prepared with 60% WGP reduced the dying shrinkage by 50%. An exponential decay function between the fluidity and static yield stress was established so that the simple fluidity test could be used as an indicator of printability. The findings in this study provided a solution to reduce the consumption of cement in 3DPC, which could contribute to a greener production in the construction industry