Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide (GLP) is a biologically active substance reported to possess anti-tumor ability. Nonetheless, the mechanisms of GLP-stimulated apoptosis are still unclear. This study aims to determine the inhibitory and apoptosis-inducing effects of GLP on HCT-116 cells. We found that GLP reduced cell viability on HCT-116 cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner, which in turn, induced cell apoptosis. The observed apoptosis was characterized by morphological changes, DNA fragmentation, mitochondrial membrane potential decrease, S phase population increase, and caspase-3 and -9 activation. Furthermore, inhibition of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) by SP600125 led to a dramatic decrease of the GLP-induced apoptosis. Western blot analysis unveiled that GLP up-regulated the expression of Bax/Bcl-2, caspase-3 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). These results demonstrate that apoptosis stimulated by GLP in human colorectal cancer cells is associated with activation of mitochondrial and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways.

A RF powering circuit used in radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags and other batteryless embedded devices is presented in this paper. The RF powering circuit harvests energy from electromagnetic waves and converts the RF energy to a stable voltage source. Analysis of a NMOS gate-cross connected bridge rectifier is conducted to demonstrate relationship between device sizes and power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the rectifier. A rectifier with 38.54% PCE under normal working conditions is designed. Moreover, a stable voltage regulator with a temperature and voltage optimizing strategy including adoption of a combination resistor is developed, which is able to accommodate a large input range of 4 V to 12 V and be immune to temperature variations. Latch-up prevention and noise isolation methods in layout design are also presented. Designed with the HJTC 0.25 μm process, this regulator achieves 0.04 mV/°C temperature rejection ratio (TRR) and 2.5 mV/V voltage rejection ratio (VRR). The RF powering circuit is also fabricated in the HJTC 0.25 μm process. The area of the RF powering circuit is 0.23 × 0.24 mm2. The RF powering circuit is successfully integrated with ISO/IEC 15693-compatible and ISO/IEC 14443-compatible RFID tag chips.

Haustorium absorbs energy from the endosperms (liquid and solid) and plays a key role in nutrient mobilization during coconut germination and seedling growth. This study was conducted to shed light on possible interactions between haustorium and endosperms during this process. Germination rates and morphological changes of coconut cultivars Hainan Tall (HT) and Red Dwarf (RD), as well as the profiles of sugars and fatty acids in endosperms and haustorium were also analyzed. Results showed that liquid and solid endosperm inside the coconut exhausts successively, while haustorium occupies the nut gradually. Haustorium had significant positive correlation with seedling, while it had significant negative correlation with liquid and solid endosperms. Sugars in liquid endosperm continuously decreased, whereas in solid endosperm and haustorium accumulated at early stages and decreased later along with the aggressive seedling growth. Fatty acids in solid endosperm shared a very similar trend with sugars. In conclusion, haustorium development and seedling growth mainly depend on the nutrients stored in the liquid endosperm at early stages and then depend on the solid endosperm, in which fatty acids degrade rapidly to sugar so as to provide enough energy. These findings could be applicable in coconut germination and seedling propagation. Core Ideas Relative cool season (25–29°C) is more suitable for coconut germination and local variety (HT) is more adaptable. Development mainly depends on stored nutrients in liquid endosperm at early stages and then on solid endosperm. Fatty acids in solid endosperm degrade rapidly to sugars since liquid endosperm almost exhausted. Conversion of fatty acids to sugars helps provide enough energy for rapidly growing haustorium and seedling.

This study reports the optimization of culture conditions and medium components of M9, an endophytic strain of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, which we had previously isolated from kiwifruit, and evaluation of its effect on kiwifruit postharvest protection against soft rot. The method of one-factor-at-a-time was used to determine the optimum culture conditions, and response surface methodology was applied to optimize the medium constituents. After optimization, a high rate of antifungal activity (73.12% decrease in decay rate) by M9 culture filtrate against the soft rot fungal pathogen, Botryosphaeria dothidea, was obtained. Compared with the initial culture conditions, the antifungal activity of M9 culture filtrate was increased by 19.5%. Furthermore, a postharvest storage experiment on kiwifruit showed that M9 culture filtrate could maintain the quality of stored kiwifruit, delay fruit senescence, and significantly enhance the storability of kiwifruit. Using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, we found that the antifungal activity of M9 was associated with the presence of the C12-surfactin A lipopeptide. Practical applications Soft rot caused by Botryosphaeria dothidea is one of the most important diseases of kiwifruit, causing postharvest fruit rot. The disease progresses rapidly and is difficult to control, posing a great threat to the kiwifruit industry. In this study, the culture conditions and medium composition for culture of the strain M9 (kiwifruit endophytic Bacillus amyloliquefaciens) were optimized to maximize the inhibition of B. dothidea. A postharvest storage experiment showed that M9 culture filtrate could improve the disease resistance of kiwifruits, delay the senescence of the fruits, and maintain the quality of kiwifruit during storage. Because M9 is a natural endophyte of kiwifruit, the strategy used in this study was both effective and safe. This work will contribute to the exploitation of B. amyloliquefaciens in controlling the pathogens of kiwifruit and the development of safer and more advanced strategies for the postharvest protection of kiwifruits.

The oxidative modification of human low density lipoprotein (LDL) plays a significant role in atherosclerosis. In this study, the inhibiting activity of areca inflorescence extracts (AIEs) on LDL oxidation was investigated by an in vitro study with Trolox as the standard antioxidant. The kinetics of LDL oxidation, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances assay, ferric-reducing antioxidant power assay and copper chelation assay were also evaluated to assess the antioxidant activities of AIEs, and the results revealed that AIEs could delay the lag time and inhibit the formation of malondialdehyde in the process of LDL peroxidation induced by Cu(2+). The boiled water extract displayed the highest antioxidant activity compared with the ambient water extract and ethanol extract. The total phenolic contents and phenolic components of AIEs were also measured by high performance liquid chromatography method. Epicatechin, gallic acid and coumalic acid were the primary phenolic acids in AIEs.