A method for high-quality RNA extraction from tall fescue

The isolation of high-quality RNA was a precondition in molecular biology research of tall fescue. Two common approaches were adopted for the total RNA extraction by using leaves of tall fescue as the material in this experiment in order to seek the optimized total RNA extraction method of tall fescue, as well as the improvement of the extraction method used by the predecessors. The results showed that the Trizol method cost much and was not suitable for the large quantity of plant tissues extraction. The traditional isothiocyanate method resulted in protein contamination and RNA degradation. By employing the improved isothiocyanate method, we found that there were three bright bands in agarose gel electrophoresis (28S rRNA, 18S rRNA and 5S rRNA). The band of 28S rRNA was brighter than that of 18S rRNA, and the value of OD260/OD280 was 1.8 to 2.0. Clear bands and high polymorphisms were obtained by cDNA-AFLP analysis. These results indicated that the RNA isolated by the improved isothiocyanate method had a good integrity and high purity, which could be used for the later molecular researches.Key words: Tall fescue, RNA extraction, improved isothiocyanate method

Electromagnetic performances and main parameter sensitivity effect on unbalance magnetic flux in a New Single‑Phase FEFSM with segmental rotor

Three-phase field excitation flux switching motor (FEFSM) with salient rotor structure has been introduced with their advantages of rotor easy temperature elimination and controllable FEC magnetic flux. Yet, the salient rotor structure is found to lead a longer magnetic flux path between stator and rotor parts, producing a weak flux linkage along with low torque performances. Hence, a new structure of single-phase FEFSM using segmental rotor with non-overlap windings is proposed with advantages of shorter magnetic flux path, light weight and robust rotor structure. Analysis on fundamental magnetic flux characteristics, armature and FEC magnetic flux linkages, cogging torque, back-Emf, various torque capabilities, refinement of unbalance magnetic flux, and torque-power versus speed characteristics are conducted using 2D FEA through JMAG Designer version 15. The results show that magnetic flux amplitude ratio has been improved by 41.2% while the highest torque and power achieved are 1.45 Nm and 343.8 W, respectively

Development of a novel forward dynamic programming method for weather routing

This paper presents a novel forward dynamic programming method for weather routing to minimise ship fuel consumption during a voyage. Compared with traditional weather routing methods which only optimise the ship's heading, while the engine power or propeller rotation speed is set as a constant throughout the voyage, this new method considers both the ship power settings and heading controls. A float state technique is used to reduce the iterations required during optimisation and thus save computation time. This new method could lead to quasiglobal optimal routing in comparison with the traditional weather routing methods

Ethanol extract of Hedyotis diffusa willd. induction of apoptosis via PI3K/Akt and XIAP pathways in human leukemic THP-1 cells

Hedyotis diffusa (H. diffusa) Willd. is known to induce apoptosis in cancer cells. However, the molecular mechanism of its anti-cancer activity has not been fully elucidated. In this study, we found that the ethanol extract of H. diffusa Willd. (EEHDW) reduced cell viability and induced apoptosis in a dose- and time-dependent manner in human leukemic THP-1 cells. The induction of apoptosis was also accompanied by the down regulation of PI3K/Akt and the inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) family proteins. Moreover, we observed that EEHDW treatment resulted in activation of caspase-3, which may partly explain the anti-cancer activity of EEHDW.Key words: Hedyotis diffusa Willd., THP-1, apoptosis, caspase

Antibiotic use among future health professionals: A multicentre cross sectional study of Chinese medical student

Background: Antibiotic use leads to antibiotic resistance and antibiotic misuse is high in China and other developing countries. This may arise from beliefs and behaviours of doctors and the pressure they receive from patients. This study aims to understand antibiotic use behaviour for self-limited illness among medical students - the future healthcare professionals. Methods: This is part of a large cross-sectional study of Chinese university students of science, social science and humanities, and medicine. An electronic survey health belief model (HBM) questionnaire was distributed at six universities in China from September to November 2015. The score assessment was based on the constructs of HBM theory. Chi-squared and multivariable logistic regression and adjusted odd ratios (aOR) were used to assess the relationship between demographic characteristics, antibiotic use knowledge and behaviour. Results: In total, 11455 students were asked to participate and 11192 (97.5%) completed the questionnaires. 1819 medical students completed the survey. In the past month 529 (29%) medical students reported at least one self-limited illness. Of those, 285 (54%) self-medicated and 77 (27%) of them used antibiotics. 111 (21%) saw a doctor among whom 64 (58%) received antibiotics. 133 (25%) did nothing. In the past year, 279 (15%) of students used antibiotics for prophylaxis, 273 (15%) ever demanded an antibiotic from a doctor, 1166 (64%) kept a personal stock of antibiotics, 1034 (57%) bought antibiotics at a pharmacy, 97% of these without a prescription. Students with high HBM scores about antibiotics were significantly less likely to self-medicate with antibiotics (aOR 0.37, 95% CI 0.15-0.91, p=0.031), to use antibiotics for prophylaxis (aOR 0.35, 95% CI 0.21-0.60, p<0.0001) or demand an antibiotic (aOR 0.46, 95% CI 0.26-0.81, p=0.007). Students whose father has a higher education level, whose mother is a doctor or who are from urban areas were more likely to stock antibiotics and self-medicate. Conclusion: High rates of antibiotic self-medication (54%) and stocking (64%) were found among medical students. Along with the high rates of unnecessarily prescribed antibiotics by doctors (58%), there is clearly a need for effective antibiotic stewardship and training programs in Chinese healthcare institutions and medical schools.published_or_final_versio

Negative capacitance transistors with monolayer black phosphorus

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Gate controlled electronic transport in monolayer MoS2 field effect transistor

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Distribution and significance of interstitial fibrosis and stroma-infiltrating B cells in tongue squamous cell carcinoma

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DNA-based identification of Quambalaria pitereka causing severe leaf blight of Corymbia citriodora in China

Quambalaria spp. include serious plant pathogens, causing leaf and shoot blight of Corymbia and Eucalyptus spp. In this study, a disease resembling Quambalaria leaf blight was observed on young Corymbia citriodora trees in a plantation in the Guangdong Province of China. Comparisons of rDNA sequence data showed that the causal agent of the disease is Q. pitereka. This study provides the first report of Quambalaria leaf blight from China, and it is also the first time that this pathogen has been found on trees outside the native range of Eucalypts

An implementation of ultrasonic tissue elastography in a conventional ultrasound scanner

2010-2011 > Academic research: refereed > Publication in refereed journalVersion of RecordPublishe