Chinese yam yield is affected by soil nutrient levels and interactions among N, P, and K fertilizers.

Objective: The current fertilization methods for Chinese yam are uneconomic and unfriend to environment. A rational one is very important to achieve desired balance of high yield of Chinese yam, economic and friend to environment. Here, we studied the effects of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) fertilizers on the yield of 'Qinfeng' Chinese yam in shallow-groove directional cultivation. Methods: The experiments were conducted in Dehua County, Fujian Province, China using a "3414" optimal design. Overall, three fertilizer factors (N, P, and K) were evaluated at the following four levels: 0, no fertilizer; 1, 0.5-fold the typical rate; 2, typical fertilization rate; and 3, 1.5-fold the typical rate. There were 14 different fertilization treatments. Results: Treatment 6 (N2P2K2) produced the longest (75.6 cm) and thickest tubers (4.9 cm) with the highest tuber fresh weight (1311.9 g) and yield (41 015.9 kg/hm2), whereas, treatment 1 produced the shortest (65.6 cm) and thinnest tubers (3.9 cm) with the lowest fresh weight (953.4 g) and yield (28 532.8 kg/hm2) among the 14 fertilizer combinations. The experimental data could be fitted to single-variable quadratic and binary quadratic models but not to a ternary quadratic polynomial model. Appropriate N, P, and K fertilizer application rates increased Chinese yam yield. However, excessive fertilization lowered the yield. Chinese yam yield was significantly and strongly correlated with the amounts of N, P, and K fertilizer applied. Conclusion: Based on the single variable quadratic and binary quadratic models, we propose that the quantities of N, P, and K fertilizer used to grow 1 hm2 'Qinfeng' Chinese yam should be 360-388.3, 90-100.95, and 416.3-675 kg, respectively.

A case of anti-myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)-immunoglobulin G (IgG) associated disorder (MOGAD) with clinical manifestations of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis: Secondary to mycoplasma pneumoniae infection.

Anti-myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)-immunoglobulin G (IgG) associated disorder (MOGAD) is an immune-mediated central nervous system (CNS) inflammatory demyelinating disorder that has been widely recognized in recent years. It is distinct from multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), which are separate disease spectrums. Here we report the case of a 5-year-old boy who was admitted for 3 days with fever, headache, and vomiting. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed abnormal hyperintensity in the left thalamus and positive serum IgM for M. pneumoniae. After treatment with azithromycin, the headache gradually disappeared, but paralysis and urinary retention occurred on the 6th day after admission. MRI re-examination showed that the original abnormal signal in the left thalamus was significantly weakened, but new abnormal signals appeared in the brain and cerebrospinal cord, and the serum MOG-IgG was positive. After treatment, the child has fully recovered and is still receiving follow-up care. We believe that this is a case of MOGAD in a child with a biphasic ADEM phenotype secondary to M. pneumoniae infection, which has potential value in elucidating the pathophysiology of MOGAD.

Discovery and Optimization of Highly Potent and Selective AT2R Antagonists to Relieve Peripheral Neuropathic Pain.

The angiotensin II type 2 receptor (AT2R) has attracted much attention as a potential target for the relief of neuropathic pain, which represents an area of unmet clinical need. A series of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines with a benzoxazole side-chain were discovered as potent AT2R antagonists. Rational optimization resulted in compound 15, which demonstrated both excellent antagonistic activity against AT2R in vitro and analgesic efficacy in a rat chronic constriction injury model. Its favorable physicochemical properties and oral bioavailability make it a promising therapeutic candidate for neuropathic pain.

Effects of cross-pollination by 'Murcott' tangor on the physicochemical properties, bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacities of 'Qicheng 52' navel orange.

This study investigated the effects of cross-pollination by 'Murcott' tangor on the fruit quality of 'Qicheng52' navel orange, including the physicochemical properties, bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacities. There were no significant differences on the fruit weight, juice yield and pH value of juice between self- and cross-pollinated fruits. However, cross-pollination could significantly improve the fruit quality of 'Qicheng52' fruits by increasing the total soluble solid content from 11.12 ±â€¯1.02 °Brix to 13.86 ±â€¯1.17 °Brix. The results of high performance liquid chromatography analysis of three sugar components indicated that the increase of total sugar was mainly contributed by the increase of fructose and sucrose. Cross-pollination exhibited no effect on the flavonoids content, while the total phenolics content was increased from 210.09 ±â€¯18.55 mg/L to 298.25 ±â€¯29.10 mg/L, which contributed to the higher antioxidant capacity in the cross-pollination fruit juice.

Treatment of Middle-up Part Long-segment Femoral Fracture with Long Proximal Femoral Nail Antirotation.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the outcomes of treating middle-up part long-segment fractures of the femur by long proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFNA-long). METHODS: From June 2006 to December 2013, 139 cases (35 women, 104 men; mean age 48.8, range, 18-86 years) of long-segment femoral fracture in middle-up part were treated with long proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFNA, 320-380 mm) by minimally invasive percutaneous fixation and autogenous iliac bone graft. Fifty-eight cases were graded as type IA long-segment femoral fractures (41.73%), 25 type IB (17.99%), four type IC (2.88%), 28 type II (20.14%), 12 type IIIA (8.63%), five type IIIB (3.60%), and seven type IV (5.04%). Clinical efficacy was evaluated with Harris hip function scores and postoperative pain with visual analogue scale. RESULTS: The operative time was 35-90 min (mean, 45 min) and mean intraoperative blood loss 78.6 mL (range 30-200 mL). Most patients were walking with assistance 4-10 days postoperatively. All patients were followed up for 3-37 months (mean, 19 months). There were no serious complications. All fractures healed after 2.8-6.8 months (mean, 3.9 months). According to Harris criteria, the clinical results were excellent in 108 patients, good in 22, fair in eight and poor in one. Ninety-three cases had no pain, 33 mild pain, 13 moderate pain and 25 occasionally needed non-steroidal analgesics. CONCLUSION: Closed reduction or limited open reduction with PFNA-long is an effective treatment for long-segment femoral fracture in middle-up part, with good strength in fixation, high rate of fracture union, early functional recovery and low rate of complications.

[Reconstruction for knee dislocation with multiple ligaments injury at stage I].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate clinical outcomes of tendon allograft reconstruction with arthroscopy minimally invasive technique at stage I for the treatment of knee dislocation with multiple ligaments injury. METHODS: Forty-eight patients with knee dislocation were reconstructed anterior and posterior ligament under arthroscopy at stage I from January 2008 to January 2012, and repaired ligaments injury of knee joint by minimally invasive technique. There were 38 males and 10 females aged from 20 to 59 years old with an average of 35.6 years old; 22 cases on the left side and 26 cases on the right side; the time from injury to operation ranged from 2 d to 2 weeks. Two cases combined with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), medial collateral ligament (MCL) and posterolateral complex injuries, 36 cases combined with ACL, PCL, and MCL injuries, 10 cases combined with ACL, PCL and PLC injuries; 4 cases combined with peroneal nerve injury. Lysholm scoring were used to compared the cases before operation and final following-up to evaluate knee function. RESULTS: All patients were followed up from 12 to 30 months with an average of (18.2 ± 6.3) months. Activity and stability of joint were obviously improved. Lysholm score were improved from 40.3 ± 4.1 before operation to 87.0 ± 6.4 at final following-up. CONCLUSION: Reconstruction with arthroscopy minimally invasive technique at stage I for the treatment of knee dislocation with multiple ligaments injury could recover stability of joint better,reserve joint function. Preoperative training and postoperative individualized rehabilitation treatment is the key point of recover knee joint function.

Discovery of N-substituted 3-arylisoquinolone derivatives as antitumor agents originating from O-substituted 3-arylisoquinolines via [2,3] or [3,3] rearrangement.

The present study discovers multiple N-substituted 3-arylisoquinolone derivatives as antitumor agents originating from O-substituted 3-arylisoquinolines via [2,3] or [3,3] rearrangement. The current [2,3] rearrangement of epoxy or acetal O-substituents converting to diol or alcohol N-substituents can be promoted by silica gel or by diluted hydrochloric acid, which is distinct from previously reported [2,3] rearrangements. Some of the derivatives displayed comparable or even stronger cytotoxicity than sorafenib and vemurafenib on HCT116 colon carcinoma and A375 melanoma cell lines. Therefore, the rearrangement via intramolecular carbon-oxygen bond cleavage and carbon-nitrogen bond formation should be a useful approach for developing novel anticancer drugs derived from isoquinolones.

A new alternative NF-κB pathway mediated the neuroprotection of GDNF on 6-OHDA-induced DA neurons neurotoxicity.

Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is a potent protective factor for dopaminergic (DA) neurons, but the signaling mechanisms underlying the effect of GDNF on these neurons remain obscure. Here, both our in vivo and in vitro studies demonstrate that the majority of DA neurons express the NF-κB-inducing kinase (NIK), which is the essential kinase for mediating activation of the new alternative NF-κB signaling pathway. Additionally, we also show that GDNF induced the time/dose-dependent phosphorylation of IκB kinase α (IKKα) and p100, facilitated the processing of p100 to p52 and accelerated the translocation of NF-κB dimmers into the nuclei of DA neurons. We furtherly found that the dimmer which translocate into the nucleus was RelA/p52 not RelB/p52. Meanwhile, the attenuation of 6-OHDA-induced DA neuronal apoptosis due to GDNF was reversed subsequent to the inhibition of p100 expression by RNAi while the neuroprotective effect of GDNF on injured DA neurons was strengthened by the overexpression of p100. Our data, therefore, indicate that a new alternative NF-κB signaling pathway, which was not the classic pathway but different from the non-canonical pathway, exists in DA neurons and mediates the neuroprotective effect of GDNF on these neurons.