Inhibitory Effect of Osthole from Cnidium monnieri on Tobacco Mosaic Virus (TMV) Infection in Nicotiana glutinosa.

The coumarin compound of osthole was extracted from Cnidium monnieri and identified by LC-MS and 1H- and 13C-NMR. Osthole was tested for anti-virus activity against tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) using the half-leaf method. The results showed that stronger antiviral activity on TMV infection appeared in Nicotiana glutinosa than that of eugenol and ningnanmycin, with inhibitory, protective, and curative effects of 72.57%, 70.26%, and 61.97%, respectively. Through observation of the TMV particles, we found that osthole could directly affect the viral particles. Correspondingly, the level of coat protein detected by Western blot was significantly reduced when the concentrations of osthole increased in tested plants compared to that of the control. These results suggest that osthole has anti-TMV activity and may be used as a biological reagent to control the plant virus in the half-leaf method.

Antifungal Effect of Magnolol and Honokiol from Magnolia officinalis on Alternaria alternata Causing Tobacco Brown Spot.

In this study, two phenol compounds, magnolol and honokiol, were extracted from Magnolia officinalis and identified by LC-MS, 1H- and 13C-NMR. The magnolol and honokiol were shown to be effective against seven pathogenic fungi, including Alternaria alternata (Fr.) Keissl, Penicillium expansum (Link) Thom, Alternaria dauci f.sp. solani, Fusarium moniliforme J. Sheld, Fusarium oxysporum Schltdl., Valsa mali Miyabe & G. Yamada, and Rhizoctonia solani J.G. Kühn, with growth inhibition of more than 57%. We also investigated the mechanisms underlying the potential antifungal activity of magnolol and honokiol. The results showed that they inhibited the growth of A. alternata in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, magnolol and honokiol treatment resulted in distorted mycelia and increased the cell membrane permeability of A. alternata, as determined by conductivity measurements. These results suggest that magnolol and honokiol are potential antifungal agents for application against plant fungal diseases.

Effects of Hot-Pressure Extraction Time on Composition and Gelatin Properties of Chicken Bone Extracts.

Hot-pressure extraction was utilized in this study to extract proteins from chicken bones at 130 °C. The obtained extracts were further used to prepare gelatin gels. Results demonstrated that the extraction time can significantly affect the composition of the chicken bone extracts (P < 0.05). High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis indicated that the protein fraction of molecular weight (MW) >30 KDa was only visible in the extracts collected between 40 and 60 min. The highest contents of hydroxyproline, imino acids, and hydrophobic amino acids were all achieved in the chicken bone extracts after 120 min of extraction, being 3.9, 7.7, and 16.0 mg/g, respectively. The prepared gelatin properties were evaluated in terms of viscosity, storage and loss modulus, stability, gel strength, and their microstructures. Results indicated that gelatins made from chicken bone extracts of 20, 40, and 60 min extraction had better properties compared to that of 90 and 120 min. Significant correlations were identified between gelatin's composition and properties (P < 0.05). The abundance of proteins with MW of <10 KDa and 10 to 30 KDa was found to be the predominant factor that can affect the gelatin's properties. This study illustrated a promising and natural way to obtain edible gelatins from chicken bones.

Preparation of Substrate for Flavorant from Chicken Bone Residue with Hot-Pressure Process.

Hot-pressure extraction (HPE), which is regarded as a "green" technology, was applied to extract nutrients (protein, collagen, and minerals) from chicken bone residue (CBR). Amino acids (AA), color, and volatile flavor compounds of chicken bone extract (CBE) were also investigated. Results showed that contents of protein, total soluble solids, minerals, and collagen of CBE were positively correlated with extraction time and temperature. High ratios of protein (83.51%) and collagen (96.81%) were obtained with 135 °C and 120 min. Essential AA accounted for 31.03% to 47.73% of total AA in CBE. The percentage of bitter AA in TAA decreased from 28.94% to 25.02% at 0 min to 20.19% and 21.41% at 120 min, although fresh AA increased from 46.35% to 50.84% (0 min) to 53.14% (120 min) at 130 and 135 °C, respectively, indicating CBE was nutritionally beneficial with good flavor. Color and volatile flavor of CBE improved significantly after extraction, although calcium in CBE (4.2 to 4.8 mg/100 g) was relatively low compared with that of CBR (1078 mg/100 g). It can be concluded that HPE is a promising way to transform CBR into a nutritious flavorant substrate, but it is not an efficient way to extract calcium.

[Comparison of soil fertility among open-pit mine reclaimed lands in Antaibao regenerated with different vegetation types].

Re-vegetation is mainly applied into regeneration in opencast mine to improve the soil quality. It is very important to choose feasible vegetation types for soil restoration. In this study, three typical forest restoration types were studied at Antaibao mine, namely, Medicago sativa, mixed forests Pinus taebelaefolius-Robinia pseudoacacia-Caragana korshinskii and Elaeagnus angustifolia-Robinia pseudoacacia-Caragana korshinskii-Hipophae rhamnoides, to determine the nutrient contents and enzyme activities in different soil layers. The results showed that re-vegetation markedly increased soil nutrient contents and the enzyme activities during the restoration process. The nutrient content of soil in the P. taebelaefolius-R. pseudoacacia-C. korshinskii mixed forest field was significantly higher than those in other plots. It was found that the soil of the P. taebelaefolius-R. pseudoacacia-C. korshinskii mixed forest had the highest integrated fertility index values. In conclusion, the restoration effects of the P. zaebelaefolius-R. pseudoacacia-C. Korshinskii mixed forest was better than that of E. angustifolia-R. pseudoacacia-C. korshinskii-H. rhamnoides, while M. sativa grassland had the least effect.

[Effects of intraoperative application of radical scavenger edaravone in severe elderly cases].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of intraoperative application of radical scavenger edaravone in severe elderly cases. METHODS: A total of 400 severe elderly patients scheduled for surgery were randomly assigned to receive edaravone 60 mg/40 ml (Group Y) or an equal volume of normal saline (Group C). The arterial blood samples were harvested at immediately after pricking, 1 hour after the beginning of surgery and before saturation to determine the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA). The operative duration, fluid volume, blood loss, blood transfusion volume, urine output, intraoperative adverse events, mortality rate, total hospital stay, intensive care unit (ICU) stay, postoperative mechanical ventilation time and complications were recorded. Patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass graft (OPCABG) were evaluated for troponin I (cTnI) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) before and after 24 hours of surgery. RESULTS: SOD was higher and MDA lower in Group Y than those in Group C at 1 hour intraoperation and before saturation [SOD: (87 ± 14) U/ml vs (78 ± 14) U/ml, (83 ± 13) U/ml vs (77 ± 14) U/ml, P < 0.01, < 0.05; MDA: (11 ± 5) nmol/L vs (14 ± 7) nmol/L, (11 ± 5) nmol/L vs (14 ± 6) nmol/L, P < 0.05, < 0.01]. There were more intraoperative hypotension cases requiring a continuous application of vasoactive drugs in Group C (37 cases vs 19 cases), total hospital stay [(21 ± 9) d vs (23 ± 9) d, P < 0.05] and ICU stay [(10 ± 7) d vs (13 ± 9) d, P < 0.05] were also longer. Postoperative cTnI and LVEF of Group Y significantly improved in OPCABG cases (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The intraoperative application of edaravone in severe elderly patients may prevent MDA increase and SOD decrease and reduce free radical damage. Especially in OPCABG patients, cTnIand LVEF improve significantly.

[Determination of content of saikoside in Bupleurum Chinense from different sources].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the contents of saikosaponin a, d and saikosaponins in Radix Bupleuri from different and assess their quality. METHOD: Saikosaponin a and d were used as the chemical reference substance to establish RP-HPLC and visible-spectrophotometry methods for determination of contents of saikosaponin a, d and saikosaponins. RESULT: The quality of B. chinense was better than that of B. scozonerifolium and B smishii; The contents of a, saikosaponin d and total saikosaponin in B. chinense were 0.100%-0.330%, 0.200%-0.400% and 1.00%-2.00% , respectively. CONCLUSION: It is to suggest that the minimal contents requirements of saikosaponin a, d and saikosaponins in B. chinense should be set at 0. 100% , 0.200% and 1.00% , respectively; the best suitable planting areas are Taigu in the middle of Shanxi province, Ruicheng, Pinglu and Wanrong in the south of Shanxi province, and Longxi, Lixian in Gansu province.