Southwest University

About: Southwest University is a education organization based out in Chongqing, China. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Gene & Population. The organization has 29772 authors who have published 27755 publications receiving 409441 citations. The organization is also known as: Southwest University in Chongqing & SWU.

Visual Detection of Sudan Dyes Based on the Plasmon Resonance Light Scattering Signals of Silver Nanoparticles

Abstract: A visual light scattering detection method of Sudan dyes is reported in food products based on the formation of silver nanoparticles (NPs) . Sudan dyes including I, II, III and IV have reducibility due to the nitrogen−nitrogen double bond and phenol group in their molecular structure, and a redox reaction could occur with AgNO3. Owing to the formation of silver NPs as a result of the redox reaction, color changes could be observed by eye from the red of Sudan to the brown of silver NPs, resulting in strong plasmon resonance light scattering (PRLS) signals characterized at 452 nm, which could be measured using a common spectrofluorometer. It was found that the PRLS intensities were proportional to the dye concentrations over the range of 0.2−2.4 μM Sudan I, 0.1−2.4 μM Sudan II, 0.1−2.4 μM Sudan III, and 0.2−3.0 μM Sudan IV, with the corresponding limits of determination (3σ) of 3.2, 3.0, 3.2, and 2.9 nM, respectively. Using hot chili as a model sample, detection could be made with the recovery of 90.8−103....

An atlas of DNA methylomes in porcine adipose and muscle tissues

Abstract: It is evident that epigenetic factors, especially DNA methylation, have essential roles in obesity development. Here, using pig as a model, we investigate the systematic association between DNA methylation and obesity. We sample eight variant adipose and two distinct skeletal muscle tissues from three pig breeds living within comparable environments but displaying distinct fat level. We generate 1,381 Gb of sequence data from 180 methylated DNA immunoprecipitation libraries, and provide a genome-wide DNA methylation map as well as a gene expression map for adipose and muscle studies. The analysis shows global similarity and difference among breeds, sexes and anatomic locations, and identifies the differentially methylated regions. The differentially methylated regions in promoters are highly associated with obesity development via expression repression of both known obesity-related genes and novel genes. This comprehensive map provides a solid basis for exploring epigenetic mechanisms of adipose deposition and muscle growth.

Assessment of soil heavy metals for eco-environment and human health in a rapidly urbanization area of the upper Yangtze Basin

Abstract: Soil pollution with heavy metals (HMs) has been attracting more and more interests, however, assessment of eco-environmental and human risks particularly in a rapidly urbanization area (the upper Yangtze) remains limited. Multiple modern indices were firstly performed for complete risk assessment of eco-environment and human health based on a high-spatial-resolution sampling. Averages of HMs were far below grade II threshold level of the Chinese Environmental Quality standards for soils, whereas Cd, As and Hg considerably exceeded the local background values. EF suggested overall moderate enrichments of Cd and Se, resulting in soils uncontaminated to moderately contaminated with them. Potential ecological risk index showed significant differences among Counties that were characterized by moderate risk. However, several sites were moderately to heavily contaminated with As, Cd and Hg by Igeo, resulting in that these sites were categorized as “considerable risk”, or “high risk”. Moreover, children were more susceptible to the potential health risk irrespective of the carcinogenic or non – carcinogenic risk. There were no significant carcinogenic and non – carcinogenic risks for adults, children however showed significant non – carcinogenic effect. Our first assessment provided important information for policy making to reduce the potential effects of soil contamination on human and eco-environment.