Backpacker identity: Scale development and validation

Backpacker identity has attracted growing attention in backpacker tourism research. However, there still lacks a valid scale to measure backpacker identity. Guided by Social Identity Theory (SIT), this study aims to develop and validate a scale to measure backpacker identity in the Chinese context. The study used two Chinese backpacker samples in two stages (Study 1, n=190; Study 2, n=323) to establish the psychometric properties of a backpacker identity scale (BIS). Following the process of scale development, a three-dimension (i.e., self-categorization, group self-value, and group self-evaluation) backpacker identity measurement model was identified. The refined scale with 16 measurement items was finally identified with sufficient reliability and validity. Theoretical and practical implications were discussed

Decomposition Method of Genetic Correlation Coefficient Based on NC II Mating Design

There are different degrees of correlation between crop traits. The phenotypic correlation is decomposed into genetic and environmental correlation in quantitative genetics. In this paper, according to stochastic model of variance and covariance analysis, we calculate different genetic components, bring up a decomposition method of genetic correlation coefficient based on NC II mating design, and use examples to show analytic steps and interpret results

Roles of telocytes dominated cell–cell communication in fibroproliferative acute respiratory distress syndrome

Abstract Telocytes (TCs) are a new type of interstitial cell identified in multiple tissues of mammals, including the human lung, and mediate homocellular or heterocellular cell‐cell communication. Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is characterized by acute hypoxemia respiratory failure and combined with direct and indirect lung injury, which is induced by pneumonia, sepsis, burns, etc. Pulmonary fibrosis is a progressive lung disease that occurs due to increased fibrosis of lung tissue in response to chronic injury of the epithelium and gets more and more attention as a well‐recognized sequela of ARDS or mechanical ventilation. However, the existing intervention measures could not prevent the progression of pulmonary fibrosis. Although the protective effect of TCs in acute lung injury had been demonstrated in both cellular and animal models in previous studies by our or other researchers, the roles of TCs mediated cell‐cell communication in fibroproliferative ARDS is unclear. This review is aimed at integrating our understanding of TC‐mediated cell–cell communication in lung diseases with pulmonary fibrosis after ARDS

Quantification of Paeoniflorin by Fully Validated LC–MS/MS Method: Its Application to Pharmacokinetic Interaction between Paeoniflorin and Verapamil

A rapid, sensitive, and specific LC-MS/MS method was developed and fully validated for the detection of paeoniflorin only in rat plasma, and applied to pharmacokinetic studies, including intravenous, multi-dose oral and combined administrations with verapamil. In this study, tolbutamide was used as the internal standard, and the protein precipitation extraction method, using acetonitrile as the extraction agent, was used for the sample preparation. Subsequently, the supernatant samples were analyzed on a Phenomenex Gemini® NX-C18 column with a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min in a gradient elution procedure. In the extracted rat plasma, the method exhibited high sensitivity (LLOQ of 1.0 ng/mL) upon selecting ammonium adduct ions ([M+NH4]+) as the precursor ions and good linearity over the concentration range of 1.0–2000 ng/mL, with correlation coefficients >0.99. The intra- and inter-batch accuracy RE% values were within ±8.2%, and the precision RSD% values were ≤8.1% and ≤10.0%, respectively. The results show that the method can be successfully applied to quantitate paeoniflorin in biological samples. Additionally, paeoniflorin is subsequently confirmed to be the substrate of the P-gp transporter in vivo and in vitro for the first time, which would be necessary and beneficial to investigate the clinical safety and efficacy of PF with other drugs in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

Effects of Different Water Treatment on Yield and Agronomic Traits of Wheat

In order to make clear the effects of water on yield and agronomic traits of wheat in Cangzhou, 18 wheat cultivars from north part of Huanghuai Plain were collected for spring irrigation. The indoor and field surveys were used to analyze the effects of irrigation frequency on stem tiller situation, leaf area coefficient, yield and other traits of different wheat cultivars. The results indicated that the average yield of irrigation 1 increased by 68.07 kg compared with that of irrigation 0, while the average yield of irrigation 2 increased by 60.00 kg compared with that of irrigation 1. The survey of flag leaf area of wheat cultivars at the grain filling stage showed that the leaf area of irrigation 0 was the smallest (18.15 cm2 on average), the leaf area of irrigation 1 was 20.34 cm2, and the leaf area of irrigation 2 was 24.05 cm2. With the increase in the irrigation times, the volume weight of wheat cultivars declined, the number of infertile spikelet dropped, and the plant height gradually increased. In conclusion, every decrease of one time of irrigation times, there will be loss of yield about 60.00 kg

Selection and Breeding of Drought Resistant, Water-saving and High-yield Wheat Variety Cangmai 028

Cangmai 028 was selected and bred according to the climatic characteristic of the winter wheat in Heilonggang Basin taking 98 (083) as the female parent and the Canghe 030 as the male parent by “two-row parallel alternate selection” method. Cangmai 028 has characteristics of high resistance, water-saving, high and stable yield, and rich genetic background. This study elaborated selection and breeding background and methods, characteristics, quality, and yield of Cangmai 028

Advances in Studies of Biological Nitrogen Saving Technology for Wheat

This paper first described the current status of wheat nitrogen fertilizers utilization rate. Then, from balanced fertilizer application, applying slow/controlled release fertilizer, deep application of nitrogen fertilizers and graded application, controlled application amount, selection of application time according to soil properties, diagnosed application of fertilizer with instrument, addition of synergist, and precise fertilizer application, it summarized biological nitrogen saving methods and introduced prospects of future biological nitrogen saving technology

Asperuloside regulates the proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation of chronic myeloid leukemia cell line K562 through the RAS/MEK/ERK pathway

Context: Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a malignant hematopoietic stem cell disease caused by excessive proliferation and abnormal differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells. Asperuloside (ASP) is considered to have good biological activity and may be a good anti-CML drug. Objective: This study aimed to explore the effects and possible mechanisms of ASP on the biological behavior of K562 cells based on RNA-seq. Materials and methods: The IC50 of ASP in K562 cells was calculated by the concentration-effect curve. Cell viability, apoptosis, and differentiation were detected by CCK8, flow cytometry, benzidine staining, and WB analysis, respectively. Further, RNA-seq was used to analyze the possible mechanism of ASP regulating K562 cells. Results: ASP significantly inhibited the proliferation, and promoted apoptosis and differentiation of K562 cells. A total of 117 differentially expressed genes were screened by RNA-seq, mainly involved in the RAS/MEK/ERK pathway. PD98059 was used to inhibit the RAS/MEK/ERK pathway in K562 cells, and results confirmed that PD98059 could not only inhibit the RAS/MEK/ERK pathway, but also inhibit the regulation of ASP on the proliferation and differentiation of K562 cells. Conclusion: ASP inhibited the proliferation, promoted apoptosis and differentiation of K562 cells by regulating the RAS/MEK/ERK pathway, and played a good anti-CML role

Four PQQ-Dependent Alcohol Dehydrogenases Responsible for the Oxidative Detoxification of Deoxynivalenol in a Novel Bacterium <i>Ketogulonicigenium vulgare</i> D3_3 Originated from the Feces of <i>Tenebrio molitor</i> Larvae

Deoxynivalenol (DON) is frequently detected in cereals and cereal-based products and has a negative impact on human and animal health. In this study, an unprecedented DON-degrading bacterial isolate D3_3 was isolated from a sample of Tenebrio molitor larva feces. A 16S rRNA-based phylogenetic analysis and genome-based average nucleotide identity comparison clearly revealed that strain D3_3 belonged to the species Ketogulonicigenium vulgare. This isolate D3_3 could efficiently degrade 50 mg/L of DON under a broad range of conditions, such as pHs of 7.0–9.0 and temperatures of 18–30 °C, as well as during aerobic or anaerobic cultivation. 3-keto-DON was identified as the sole and finished DON metabolite using mass spectrometry. In vitro toxicity tests revealed that 3-keto-DON had lower cytotoxicity to human gastric epithelial cells and higher phytotoxicity to Lemna minor than its parent mycotoxin DON. Additionally, four genes encoding pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ)-dependent alcohol dehydrogenases in the genome of isolate D3_3 were identified as being responsible for the DON oxidation reaction. Overall, as a highly potent DON-degrading microbe, a member of the genus Ketogulonicigenium is reported for the first time in this study. The discovery of this DON-degrading isolate D3_3 and its four dehydrogenases will allow microbial strains and enzyme resources to become available for the future development of DON-detoxifying agents for food and animal feed