Research on species categorical authentication of accelerants based on flame characteristics analysis.

Species categorical authentication of accelerants has traditionally relied on fire debris analysis. To explore a novel method for identifying the accelerants species, four commonly used accelerants for arson were loaded onto different substrates and ignited at different locations. The entire combustion process was recorded and flame characteristics were analyzed. The results showed that the probability density function (PDF) of flame apex angle counts within a certain period after ignition can be used to distinguish accelerant species, and this method is not affected by accelerant loading amount, ignition location, and substrate, demonstrating strong stability and universality, while the temporal variation of flame area and the value obtained by dividing half of the flame width by the flame height (tangent of flame cone angle) can effectively differentiate gasoline and diesel. The utilization of flame characteristics for identifying accelerants species holds significant implications for arson investigation.

Effects of Soy-Whey Protein Nutritional Supplementation on Hematopoiesis and Immune Reconstitution in an Allogeneic Transplanted Mice.

Profound malnutrition and immunodeficiency are serious negative effects of radiotherapy and bone marrow transplantation for hematologic malignancy patients. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of nutritional supplementation with a soy-whey protein mixture on hematopoietic and immune reconstitution in an allogeneic transplant mouse model. Male BALB/c (H-2Kd) mice, 6-8 weeks-old, were divided randomly into five groups and then provided with different protein nutrition support. After 28 days, blood samples, bone marrow, spleen, and thymus were harvested to measure the effects. The results showed that soy-whey blended protein supplements promoted hematopoietic stem cell engraftment, body weight recovery, and the recovery of white blood cells, lymphocytes, and neutrophils; triggered the expansion of hematopoietic stem cells and progenitor cell pools by increasing the numbers of the c-kit+ progenitor, Lin-Sca1+c-kit+, short-term hematopoietic stem cells, and multipotent progenitors; enhanced thymus re-establishment and splenic subset recovery in both organ index and absolute number; improved overall nutritional status by increasing total serum protein, albumin, and globulin; protected the liver from radiation-induced injury, and increased antioxidant capacity as indicated by lower concentrations of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, malondialdehyde, and 4-hydroxynonenal. This study indicated that soy-whey blended protein as important nutrients, from both plant and animal sources, had a greater positive effect on patients with hematological malignancies to accelerate hematopoiesis and immune reconstitution after bone marrow transplantation.

The most remarkable interference to gasoline identification from polystyrene-co-butadiene and the corresponding cause.

The identification of ILRs in fire investigations has attracted great attention for decades, and background at fire scenes caused complex interference on ILR identification by contributing characteristic compounds. Aiming at exploring the correlation between the interference extent to gasoline identification and chemical composition/structure, two polystyrene-butadiene rubbers (SBr) with typical styrene contents involving alkylbenzene in molecules were selected particularly. The free burning residues in the presence and absence of gasoline were collected and analyzed via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. It is striking that SBr with typical styrene content caused the most remarkable interference to gasoline identification as far as reported since it is even impossible to be distinguished from gasoline through chromatography profiles. Additionally, the molecular structure together with the chemical composition influences the interference extent as well. To trace the source of the remarkable interference from SBr, polystyrene, polybutadiene, as well as one polystyrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer, were picked particularly due to their specific chemical relations. The results of target compounds analysis on the corresponding combustion residues revealed that the remarkable interference of SBrs originated from the combination of 'styrene' and 'butadiene' by contributing different target compounds. The results provide further support for the proposal of the correlation of the interferents chemical compositions with the interference extent. Furthermore, this study provides important references for fire debris analysis by predicting the interference of different substrates on the basis of their chemical composition.

Impact of body mass index at different transplantation stages on postoperative outcomes in patients with hematological malignancies: a meta-analysis.

Although the association between body mass index (BMI) and overall survival (OS) has been reported in leukemia patients of different ages, whether BMI levels at different stages of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) have different effects on postoperative survival remains controversial. We searched four electronic databases from inception through July 2017 without any language restrictions and included studies on different types of hematological malignancies reporting both BMI time points and HSCT. Of the 1420 articles identified, 26 articles were eligible for inclusion in this meta-analysis. Three weight groups (obese, overweight and underweight) were individually compared with the normal group. Summary risk estimates for OS and event-free survival (EFS) were calculated with random- or fixed-effects models. For BMI at the pre-HSCT stage, a statistically significant positive association of increased risk of OS (RR: 1.17; 95% CI: 1.08-1.27) and EFS (RR: 1.29; 95% CI: 1-1.67) was identified in underweight individuals compared with those with normal weights. For BMI in the HSCT stage, a lower BMI was significantly associated with poorer OS (RR: 1.34; 95% CI: 1.01-1.78) and EFS (RR: 1.53; 95% CI: 1.09-2.06) compared with a normal BMI. Our results indicated that lower BMI at the pre-HSCT stage or during HSCT is associated with poorer survival.

Metabolic variation and cooking qualities of millet cultivars grown both organically and conventionally.

Millet plays a major role in food security in Africa and Asia. In addition to being a rich source of nutrients, millet contains many phytochemicals that are potentially beneficial for human health, and several of these compounds are related to its cooking properties. In this study, 172 metabolites and 3 cooking quality traits of millet from the same two cultivars grown both organically and conventionally were analyzed. The results indicated that the differences in the metabolities and cooking quality of the millets could be attributed mostly to the cultivar and whether the millet was grown conventionally or organically. Organic growing conditions only enhanced the accumulation of some carbohydrates such as fructose and glucose. Therefore, cultivar selection was important in organic millet cultivation. The relationships between metabolites and cooking quality traits showed that, overall, 57.43% of the variation in the cooking quality matrix was explained by metabolome matrix, which indicated that some chemical compounds could also be used to evaluate the cooking qualities of millet. These results could contribute to breeding millet to improve its the nutritional properties and cooking qualities.

Protective effects of dietary polyphenols from black soybean seed coats on islet and renal function in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the antidiabetic effects of the crude polyphenol extract (BSCP) from black soybean seed coats (BSC) and the whole flour of BSC and illustrate the mechanism in terms of islet and renal protection. RESULTS: BSCP and BSC effectively controlled the increased blood glucose level and impaired glucose tolerance in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats after 8 weeks of treatment. They increased the concentrations of serum insulin, C-peptide and Glp-1 (P < 0.05) by improving the STZ-induced damage of islet ß-cells and increasing their insulin expression (P < 0.05). Lipid profiles and antioxidant activities were also improved. Moreover, BSCP and BSC tended to decrease serum creatinine (0.05 < P < 0.1), and blood urea nitrogen was decreased by BSC significantly (P < 0.05). They also led to significantly lower glomerular volume (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Long-term intervention with BSC at a low dose of polyphenols plays a role in controlling blood glucose and lipids levels by promoting insulin secretion and restoring islet ß-cell function, the same as BSCP. These benefits are accompanied by their potential protection of diabetic renal dysfunction. BSCP is mainly responsible for the antidiabetic effect of BSC. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.