We consider the convergence problem of an inexact Cayley transform method for solving inverse eigenvalue problems with multiple eigenvalues. Under the nonsingularity assumption of the relative generalized Jacobian matrix at the solution c*, a convergence analysis covering both the distinct and multiple eigenvalues cases is provided and the superlinear convergence is proved. Moreover, numerical experiments are given in the last section and comparisons with the Cayley transform method are made.

Background: ATP-binding cassette transporters (ABCA1, ABCG1) and scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI) are the three most important cellular cholesterol transporters/receptor in regulating cholesterol efflux. We have investigated whether the expression of these transporters/receptor is altered in overweight and obese patients, and the potential association with the circulating adipokines. Methods: Adiponectin, leptin and resistin were assayed in two groups of healthy controls, overweight and obese patients. The expression of ABCA1, ABCG1 and SR-BI in monocytes was measured. Cholesterol efflux from monocyte-derived macrophages was also determined. Results: Circulating adiponectin was decreased, whereas leptin and resistin were increased in overweight and obese patients compared with healthy controls. ABCA1 expression was significantly decreased in overweight and obese patients (Po0.01), whereas the levels of ABCG1 and SR-BI were comparable between the two groups. Adiponectin was correlated with ABCA1 (r ¼ 0.44, Po0.001), but not with ABCG1 and SR-BI. No associations between leptin, resistin and the expression of ABCA1, ABCG1 and SR-BI were found. Cholesterol efflux from monocyte-derived macrophages to apolipoprotein AI or to autologous serum was significantly impaired in overweight and obese patients, which were correlated with ABCA1 expression (r ¼ 0.47, Po0.001; r ¼ 0.43, Po0.001, respectively). Conclusion: The expression of ABCA1 in monocytes is reduced in overweight and obese patients, and the reduction in ABCA1 is associated with the impairment of cholesterol efflux from monocyte-derived macrophages.

Gossypol plays an important role in defense mechanism of Gossypium species and the presence of gossypol also limits the utilization of cottonseeds. However, little is known about the metabolism of gossypol in cotton plant. Here, Detection on the dynamic tendency of gossypol content illustrated that at the germination stage, the main source of gossypol was cotyledon, and at the later stages, gossypol mainly came from root system. Plant grafting between cottons and sunflower proved that gossypol was mainly synthesized in the root systems of cotton plants and both of the glanded and glandless cottons had the ability of gossypol biosynthesis. Besides, the pigment glands expression was uncoupled with gossypol biosynthesis. Root tip and rootless seedling organ culture in vitro further revealed other parts of the seedlings also got the ability to synthesize gossypol except root system. Moreover, root system produced the racemic gossypol and plant synthesized the optically active gossypol. The expression profiling of key genes in the gossypol biosynthetic pathway suggested that downstream key genes had relatively high expression levels in root systems which confirmed that gossypol was mainly synthesized in the root systems. Taken together, our results helped to clarify the complex mechanism of gossypol metabolism.