Breeding a new Ganoderma lucidum strain with increased contents of individual ganoderic acids by mono-mono crossing of genetically modified monokaryons.

Ganoderic acids (GAs) are major functional components of Ganoderma lucidum. The study aimed to breed a new G. lucidum strain with increased contents of individual GAs. Two mating-compatible monokaryotic strains, G. 260125 and G. 260124, were successfully isolated from the dikaryotic G. lucidum CGMCC 5.0026 via protoplast formation and regeneration. The Vitreoscilla hemoglobin gene (vgb) and squalene synthase gene (sqs) were overexpressed in the monokaryotic G. 260124 and G. 260125 strain, respectively. Mating between the G. 260124 strain overexpressing vgb and the G. 260125 strain overexpressing sqs resulted in the formation of the new hybrid dikaryotic G. lucidum strain sqs-vgb. The maximum contents of ganoderic acid (GA)-T, GA-Me, and GA-P in the fruiting body of the mated sqs-vgb strain were 23.1, 15.3, and 39.8 µg/g dry weight (DW), respectively, 2.23-, 1.75-, and 2.69-fold greater than those in G. lucidum 5.0026. The squalene and lanosterol contents increased 2.35- and 1.75-fold, respectively, in the fruiting body of the mated sqs-vgb strain compared with those in the G. lucidum 5.0026. In addition, the maximum expression levels of the sqs and lanosterol synthase gene (ls) were increased 3.23- and 2.13-fold, respectively, in the mated sqs-vgb strain. In summary, we developed a new G. lucidum strain with higher contents of individual GAs in the fruiting body by integrating genetic engineering and mono-mono crossing.

Kinetic study on elemental mercury release from fly ashes and hydrated fly ash cement pastes.

The kinetics of elemental mercury (Hg0) release from fly ashes and hydrated fly ash cement pastes was investigated using a homemade Hg measurement system. Three types of fly ash (FA) and ordinary Portland cement (OPC) were used to prepare cement pastes. After standard curing for 28 days, the hydrated cement paste (HCP) was ground into a fine powder for Hg emission measurements. Detectable Hg0 was found released from both fly ashes and hydrated fly ash cement pastes. The results show that elevated temperatures and evaporation of the capillary pore water in wet HCP samples accelerate Hg0 release. Both desorption of Hg0 from the particle surface of HCP powder and migration of Hg0 from the inner pores contribute to Hg0 release. The kinetic calculation indicates that the hydration products of hydrated fly ash cement have little immobilization effect on Hg0, which is mainly physically encapsulated in the HCP particles by hydration products.

No association of XRCC1 and CLPTM1L polymorphisms with non-small cell lung cancer in a non-smoking Han Chinese population.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to explore potential associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the x-ray repair cross-complementing group 1 (XRCC1) and cleft lip and palate transmembrane protein 1-like (CLPTM1L) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) susceptibility in non-smoker Chinese patients. METHODS: A total of 200 NSCLC patients and 200 healthy controls with matched age and gender were recruited for genotyping of XRCC1 SNPs (rs2256507 and rs1001581) and CLPTM1L SNPs (rs401681 and rs4975616). Association of these SNPs with NSCLC risk was evaluated by computing the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) from multivariate unconditional logistic regression analyses with adjustment for gender and age. RESULTS: The frequencies of genotype and allele in these four loci (rs2256507, rs1001581, rs401681, and rs4975616) were not significantly different between the cases and controls, or between either of the histological subgroups (adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma) and controls. CONCLUSIONS: Although these SNPs are associated with NSCLC risk in patients with a tobacco-smoking habit, this study demonstrated that XRCC1 and CLPTM1L gene SPNs are not linked with NSCLC risk in non-smoking patients, indicating that molecular mechanisms of NSCLC betwee tobacco smokers and non-smokers may be different. Future studies are needed to uncover the underlying molecular mechanisms for NSCLC in non-smokers.

Controllable preparation of high-yield magnetic polymer latex.

In order to overcome the low conversion and complex post-treatment, four different polymerization procedures were adopted to prepare the magnetic polymer latexes. The results clearly show that the strategy using magnetic emulsion template-dosage is the most effective and feasible. Based on the optimized procedure, various factors including the type of initiators such as oil soluble initiator, water soluble initiator, redox initiator system, crosslinking agent, functional monomers etc. were systematically studied. Magnetic polymer latex with high monomer conversion of 83% and high magnet content of 31.8% was successfully obtained. Besides, core-shell structured magnetic polymer latex with good film forming property was also prepared, which is promising for potential applications such as magnetic coatings and modification of cementitious materials with controlled polymer location.

Lack of associations of polymorphisms of IL-7R, IL-13 and IL-15 with NSCLCs in non-smoking Chinese.

Studies have shown that immune cells play a key role in lung cancer development. Five SNPs (rs1494555, rs7737000, rs20541, rs1057972 and rs2857261) are associated with lung cancer risk among Caucasians and/or African-Americans, but the polymorphisms may be implicated in different susceptibilities for lung cancer across different populations because of underlying genetic heterogeneity. We therefore conducted a study to examine this relationship in non-smoking Chinese. As a result , no significant associations were observed between SNPs and NSCLCs, whetehr of squamous cell or adenocarcinoma type. Results indicated polymorphisms of IL-7R, IL-13 and IL-15 are not major contributors to NSCLC susceptibility, although we can not rule out synergistic effects with cigarette smoke in NSCLC development in smoking Chinese.

[In-situ study on the crystallization of PCL films using FTIR].

The crystalline behaviors of PCL(poly(epsilon-caprolactone) )thin film on Si and KBr substrates have been studied in-situ using FTIR with a heat stage. In the crystalline process, due to the decrease in free volume and the increase in interaction among different molecules, the peak of C=O shifted to lower wave number and the crystalline peak of C-O-C and C-H appeared. The degree of crystallinity has been calculated through the comparison between the peaks of crystal and amorphous parts. FTIR study on the films cast from solution with different concentrations showed that the thicker the film is, the higher crystallinity it has. This may be due to the substrate effect or geometric confinement. It was also shown that under the same preparation condition, the film on KBr wafer had higher degree of crystallinity than that of film on Si wafer.

Interface-Induced Coarsening Process in Polymer Blends.

The coarsening process of the droplets in a two-phase polymer blend (PP/EVAc) was studied under two-dimensional and three-dimensional conditions using a phase contrast microscope and computer image analyzer. The results showed that under three-dimensional conditions the growth of the droplet's radius with time follows r(3) approximately t(1.01), corresponding to the evaporation-condensation theory of Lifshitz-Slyozov, r(3) approximately t, while under two-dimensional conditions the growth law is r(3) approximately t(1.31). The growth rate of the droplets under two-dimensional conditions is faster than that under three-dimensional conditions. This difference is caused by an interfacial interaction (wetting effects) between the substrates and polymer blend. The existence of the interface promoted the coarsening process of the polymer blend under two-dimensional conditions. Copyright 2001 Academic Press.