The Predictive Factors of Combined Implant Application for Breast Cancer Patients Receiving Immediate Breast Reconstruction with a Pedicled Omental Flap.

BACKGROUND: Whether a laparoscopically harvested omental flap is adequate for total breast reconstruction could not be determined preoperativaly due to lack of reliable assessment methods. This study aimed to establish a statistical model to predict the probability of omental flap insufficiency. METHODS: In this study, 200 female patients with breast cancer receiving immediate breast reconstruction with pure pedicled omental flaps or pedicled omental flaps combined with implants after nipple-areolar complex-sparing mastectomy were divided into two groups depending on whether implants were needed or not. The clinical characteristics of these two groups were compared. Correlation of body mass index (BMI) and omental volume was analyzed. Binary logistic regression was performed to predict the probability of implant requirement based on clinical parameters, showing significant differences between the two groups. RESULTS: The patients who needed implants in adjunct treatment were younger. In addition, they had larger breast specimens and smaller omental volumes than the others whose omental flaps were sufficient for total breast reconstruction. Body mass index and omental volume showed a moderately positive correlation. Age, specimen volume, and BMI all were entered into the logistic regression equation. For the patients with a BMI lower than 24.0 kg/m2, the probability of requiring implants was 5.467 times that of comparable patients with a BMI of 24.0 kg/m2 or higher. At the cutoff of 0.61, the regression equation yielded a sensitivity of 84.2% and a specificity of 72.1% in recognizing subjects with the necessity of implant application. CONCLUSION: The combination of BMI, age, and volume of breast specimen could predict with high accuracy whether implants are required for breast cancer patients receiving pedicled omental flap-based breast reconstruction.

DNA-SIP delineates unique microbial communities in the rhizosphere of the hyperaccumulator Sedum alfredii which are beneficial to Cd phytoextraction.

Rhizo-microbe recruited by hyperaccumulating plants are crucial for the extraction of metals from contaminated soils. It is important, but difficult, to identify the specific rhizosphere microbes of hyperaccumulators shaped by root exudation. Continuous 13CO2 labeling, microbial DNA-based stable isotope probing (DNA-SIP), and high throughput sequencing were applied to identify those rhizosphere microorganisms using exudates from the Cd hyperaccumulator Sedum alfredii. In contrast to its non-hyperaccumulating ecotype (NAE), the hyperaccumulating ecotype (HAE) of S. alfredii strongly changed the rhizosphere environment and extracted a 5-fold higher concentration of Cd from contaminated soil. Although both HAE and NAE harbored Streptomyces, Massilia, Bacillus, and WPS-2 Uncultured Bacteria with relative abundance of more than 1% in the rhizosphere associated with plant growth and immunity, the HAE rhizosphere specifically recruited Rhodanobacter (2.66%), Nocardioides (1.16%), and Burkholderia (1.01%) through exudates to benefit the extraction of Cd from soil. Different from the bacterial network with weak cooperation in the NAE rhizosphere, a closed-loop bacterial network shaped by exudates was established in the HAE rhizosphere to synergistically resist Cd. This research reveals a specific rhizosphere bacterial community induced by exudates assisted in the extraction of Cd by S. alfredii and provides a new perspective for plant regulation of the rhizo-microbe community beneficial for optimizing phytoremediation.

SEC14L3 plays a tumor-suppressive role in breast cancer through a Wnt/ß-catenin-related way.

Breast cancer, the most prevalent malignancy in women, is also the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women worldwide. The activation of the Wnt pathway plays a pivotal role in the metastatic abilities of breast cancer. In this study, IL1F6, MRGPRX1, and SEC14L3 were significantly correlated to breast cancer patients'overall survival based on TCGA-BRCA dataset. Although IL1F6, MRGPRX1 and SEC14L3 high expression were associated with better survival in breast cancer patients, SEC14L3 had the biggest survival benefit for breast cancer; therefore, SEC14L3 was selected for the subsequent investigation. SEC14L3 mRNA expression and protein levels within breast cancer cell lines decreased compared with normal human breast epithelial cells. Overexpressing SEC14L3 in breast cancer cells inhibited the malignant phenotypes of cancer cells, including the capacity of cells to migrate and invade. SEC14L3 overexpression decreased the levels of mesenchymal markers, whereas SEC14L3 knockdown facilitated the malignant behaviors of breast cancer cells. SEC14L3 overexpression also inhibited Wnt/ß-catenin activation. The Wnt agonist strengthened the malignant phenotypes of breast cancer cells; moreover, the anti-tumor effects of SEC14L3 overexpression were partially attenuated by the Wnt agonist. Conclusively, SEC14L3, which is underexpressed in breast cancer cells and tissues, could play a tumor-suppressive role in a Wnt/ß-catenin-related way.

Cadmium inhibits powdery mildew colonization and reconstructs microbial community in leaves of the hyperaccumulator plant Sedum alfredii.

Understanding the influence of the heavy metal cadmium (Cd) on the phyllosphere microbiome of hyperaccumulator plants is crucial for enhancing phytoremediation. The characteristics of the phyllosphere of Sedum alfredii Hance, a hyperaccumulator plant, were investigated using 16S rRNA and internal transcribed spacer amplicon sequencing of powdery mildew-infected leaves treated or untreated with Cd. The results showed that the colonization of powdery mildew caused severe chlorosis and necrosis in S. alfredii leaves, and the relative abundance of Leotiomycetes in infected leaves increased dramatically and significantly decreased phyllosphere microbiome diversity. However, S. alfredii preferentially accumulated higher concentrations of Cd in the leaves of infected plants than in uninfected plants by powdery mildew, which in turn significantly inhibited powdery mildew colonization in leaves; the relative abundance of the fungal class Leotiomycetes in infected leaves decreased, and alpha and beta diversities of the phyllosphere microbiome significantly increased with Cd treatment in the infected plants. In addition, the inter-kingdom networks in the microbiota of the infected leaves treated with Cd presented many nodes and edges, and the highest inter-kingdom modularity compared to the untreated infected leaves, indicating a highly connected microbial community. These results suggest that Cd significantly inhibits powdery mildew colonization by altering the composition of the phyllosphere microbiome in S. alfredii leaves, paving the way for efficient heavy metal phytoremediation and providing a new perspective on defense strategies against heavy metals.

Biochar performance for preventing cadmium and arsenic accumulation, and the health risks associated with mustard (Brassica juncea) grown in co-contaminated soils.

Cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As) in co-contaminated soil can enter the human body harming health via the food chain, such as vegetables. Biochar derived from waste has been used to reduce heavy metal uptake by plant, but long-term effects of biochar under Cd and As co-contaminated soil needs to be investigated. A following mustard (Brassica juncea) was grown on co-contaminated soil amended with different raw materials of biochar including biochars pyrolyzed by lignite coal (LCB), rice straw (RSB), silkworm excrement (SEB), and sugar refinery sludge (SSB). The results showed that compared to the control, Cd and As contents of mustard shoot in SSB treatment decreased by 45-49% and 19-37% in two growing seasons, respectively, which was the most effective among 4 biochars. This probably due to SSB owns more abundant Fe-O functional groups. Biochar also altered the microbial community composition, specifically SSB increased proteobacteria abundance by 50% and 80% in the first and second growing seasons, thereby promoted the simultaneous immobilization of Cd and As in soils which may reduce the potential risks to humans. In summary, considering the long-term effects and security of SSB application on mustard, not only is it an effective waste recycle option, but it should also be promoted as a promising approach for safe vegetable production in Cd and As co-contaminated soils.

A self-assessment tool for predicting discomfort and tolerance in Chinese patients undergoing esophagogastroduodenoscopy.

BACKGROUND: For patients taking esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), sedation should ideally be used individually based on patients' comfort and tolerance level. However, currently there is no valid predictive tool. We undertook this study to develop and temporally validate a self-assessment tool for predicting discomfort and tolerance in Chinese patients undergoing EGD. METHODS: We recruited 1522 patients undergoing routine diagnostic EGD without sedation. We collected candidate predictor variables before endoscopy and evaluated discomfort and tolerance with a 5-point visual analogue scale after the procedure. We developed logistic regression predictive models based on the first 2/3 of participants, and evaluated the calibration and discrimination of the models in the later 1/3 of patients. RESULTS: 30.2% and 23.0% participants reported severe discomfort or poor tolerance to EGD respectively. The predictive factors in the model for discomfort included sex, education, expected level of discomfort, and anxiety before endoscopy. The model for tolerance included income, expected level of discomfort, and anxiety before endoscopy. In the validation population, the established models showed a moderate discriminative ability with a c-index of 0.74 for discomfort and 0.78 for tolerance. Hosmer-Lemeshow test suggested the models had fine calibration ability (discomfort: P = 0.37, tolerance: P = 0.41). CONCLUSIONS: Equations for predicting discomfort and tolerance in Chinese patients undergoing EGD demonstrated moderate discrimination and variable calibration. Further studies are still required to validate these tools in other population. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR1800020236).

Transcriptome analysis reveals candidate genes involved in multiple heavy metal tolerance in hyperaccumulator Sedum alfredii.

Sedum alfredii Hance is a perennial herb native to China that can particularly be found in regions with abandoned Pb/Zn mines. It is a Cd/Zn hyperaccumulator that is highly tolerant to Pb, Cu, Ni, and Mn, showing potential for phytoremediation of soils contaminated with multiple heavy metals. A better understanding of how this species responds to different heavy metals would advance the phytoremediation efficiency. In this study, transcriptomic regulation of S. alfredii roots after Cd, Zn, Pb, and Cu exposure was analyzed to explore the candidate genes involved in multi-heavy metal tolerance. Although Zn and Cd, Pb and Cu had similar distribution patterns in S. alfredii, distinct expression patterns were exhibited among these four metal treatments, especially about half of the differentially expressed genes were upregulated under Cu treatment, suggesting that it utilizes distinctive and flexible strategies to cope with specific metal stress. Most unigenes regulated by Cu were enriched in catalytic activity, whereas the majority of unigenes regulated by Pb had unknown functions, implying that S. alfredii may have a unique strategy coping with Pb stress different from previous cognition. The unigenes that were co-regulated by multiple heavy metals exhibited functions of antioxidant substances, antioxidant enzymes, transporters, transcription factors, and cell wall components. These metal-induced responses at the transcriptional level in S. alfredii were highly consistent with those at the physiological level. Some of these genes have been confirmed to be related to heavy metal absorption and detoxification, and some were found to be related to heavy metal tolerance for the first time in this study, like Metacaspase-1 and EDR6. These results provide a theoretical basis for the use of genetic engineering technology to modify plants by enhancing multi-metal tolerance to promote phytoremediation efficiency.

Use of the systemic inflammation response index (SIRI) as a novel prognostic marker for patients on peritoneal dialysis.

BACKGROUND: The systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI), a novel inflammation maker, has proven to be associated with prognostic outcomes in various diseases. However, few studies have been conducted assessing how SIRI may influence outcomes of patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD). Herein, we assessed the predictive value of SIRI on mortality all-cause mortality, including cardiovascular disease (CVD) in PD patients. METHODS: A total of 646 PD patients were enrolled in this study. PD patients received regular PD treatments at the Zhujiang Hospital from 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2018. SIRI values could be computed as follows: neutrophil count × monocyte count/lymphocyte count. Patients were divided into two groups according to the median level of SIRI. Cox regression analysis and Kaplan-Meier methods were applied to analyze the relationship between SIRI and mortality outcomes in PD patients. RESULTS: During the median 31-month follow-up period, 97 (15.0%) PD patients died from all-causes, and 47 (49.0%) died of CVD. Kaplan-Meier analyses revealed that a high SIRI corresponded to the high mortality of all-cause deaths, including CVD (both p < 0.001) in patients on PD. After adjusting for potential confounders, the higher SIRI level was significantly associated with an increased all-cause mortality (HR: 2.007, 95% CI: 1.304-3.088, p = 0.002) and cardiovascular mortality (HR: 2.847, 95% CI: 1.445-5.608, p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: SIRI was a promising predictor of mortality in PD patients, with a higher SIRI corresponding to increased risk of mortality.

Seasonal Zinc Storage and a Strategy for Its Use in Buds of Fruit Trees.

Bud dormancy allows deciduous perennial plants to rapidly grow following seasonal cold conditions. Although many studies have examined the hormonal regulation of bud growth, the role of nutrients remains unclear. Insufficient accumulation of the key micronutrient zinc (Zn) in dormant buds affects the vegetative and reproductive growth of perennial plants during the subsequent year, requiring the application of Zn fertilizers in orchard management to avoid growth defects in fruit trees. However, the mechanisms of seasonal Zn homeostasis in perennial plants remain poorly understood. Here, we provide new insights into Zn distribution and speciation within reproductive and vegetative buds of apple (Malus domestica) and four other deciduous fruit trees (peach [Amygdalus persica], grape [Vitis vinifera], pistachio [Pistacia vera], and blueberry [Vaccinium spp.]) using microscopic and spectroscopic characterization techniques comprising synchrotron-based x-ray fluorescence and x-ray absorption near-edge-structure analyses. By establishing a link between bud development and Zn distribution, we identified the following important steps of Zn storage and use in deciduous plants: Zn is preferentially deposited in the stem nodes subtending apical and axillary buds; Zn may then be sequestered as Zn-phytate prior to dormancy; in spring, Zn effectively releases for use during budbreak and subsequent meristematic growth. The mechanisms of Zn homeostasis during the seasonal cycles of plant growth and dormancy described here will contribute to improving orchard management, and to selection and breeding of deciduous perennial species.

Spatial imaging reveals the pathways of Zn transport and accumulation during reproductive growth stage in almond plants.

The reproductive processes of several deciduous trees are highly sensitive to Zn deficiency. An understanding of the patterns of Zn storage and remobilization during bud development and bud break is critical for the development of fertilization strategies to prevent deficiencies and may be valuable in selection and breeding programs to develop more Zn-resilient cultivars. In this study, we provide insights into the in situ distribution of Zn in almond reproductive organs at tissue, cellular, and subcellular scales using synchrotron-based X-ray fluorescence. The concentrations of Zn in different parts of the vegetative and reproductive tissues were also analysed. Our results show that the small branches subtending the flower and fruit, pollen grain, transmitting tissues of styles, and seed embryo are all important storage sites for Zn. An increase in Zn concentrations in almond reproductive organs mostly occur during the expanding growth phase, such as bud-flush and the mid-fruit enlargement stage; however, Zn transport to floral parts and fruit tissues was restricted at the pedicel and seed coat, suggesting a bottleneck in the export of Zn from the mother plant to filial tissues. Our results provide direct visual evidence for in-situ Zn distribution within the reproductive tissues of a deciduous tree species.

Micro-XRF mapping and quantitative assessment of Cd in rice (Oryza sativa L.) roots.

Understanding Cd uptake and distribution in rice roots is important for breeding varieties that do not accumulate Cd in the grain to any large extent. Here, we examined the physiological and molecular factors responsible for Cd uptake and transport differences between two japonica rice cultivars prescreened as high (zhefu7) or low (Xiangzaoxian45) accumulators of Cd in the grain. No significant differences in Cd uptake between the two cultivars were observed; however, Xiangzaoxian45 retained most of the absorbed Cd in the roots, whereas zhefu7 showed higher transport of Cd from the root to the shoot, regardless of the duration of exposure to Cd. The inability to sequester Cd into root vacuoles caused high accumulation of Cd in the grain in zhefu7, whereas inefficient transport of Cd from roots to shoots in Xiangzaoxian45 caused low accumulation of Cd in the grain. Cd sequestration in the roots and transport from the root to the shoot were greatly influenced by the expression patterns of transport-related genes OsHMA3 and OsHMA2, respectively. Further, micro-X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy mapping confirmed that more Cd was sequestered in the roots of Xiangzaoxian45 than in those of zhefu7, with a significant amount of Cd localized in the root hairs, as well as in the meristematic and elongation zones, and dermal and stele tissues. Therefore, we propose that effective Cd sequestration in root vacuoles was the major determinant of divergent Cd-accumulation patterns in the two rice cultivars under study.

Site-specific regulation of transcriptional responses to cadmium stress in the hyperaccumulator, Sedum alfredii: based on stem parenchymal and vascular cells.

KEY MESSAGE: We compared the transcriptomes of parenchymal and vascular cells of Sedum alfredii stem under Cd stress to reveal gene regulatory networks underlying Cd hyperaccumulation. Cadmium (Cd) hyperaccumulation in plants is a complex biological process controlled by gene regulatory networks. Efficient transport through vascular systems and storage by parenchymal cells are vital for Cd hyperaccumulation in the Cd hyperaccumulator Sedum alfredii, but the genes involved are poorly understood. We investigated the spatial gene expression profiles of transport and storage sites in S. alfredii stem using laser-capture microdissection coupled with RNA sequencing. Gene expression patterns in response to Cd were distinct in vascular and parenchymal cells, indicating functional divisions that corresponded to Cd transportation and storage, respectively. In vascular cells, plasma membrane-related terms enriched a large number of differentially-expressed genes (DEGs) for foundational roles in Cd transportation. Parenchymal cells contained considerable DEGs specifically concentrated on vacuole-related terms associated with Cd sequestration and detoxification. In both cell types, DEGs were classified into different metabolic pathways in a similar way, indicating the role of Cd in activating a systemic stress signalling network where ATP-binding cassette transporters and Ca2+ signal pathways were probably involved. This study identified site-specific regulation of transcriptional responses to Cd stress in S. alfredii and analysed a collection of genes that possibly function in Cd transportation and detoxification, thus providing systemic information and direction for further investigation of Cd hyperaccumulation molecular mechanisms.

Efficient phloem remobilization of Zn protects apple trees during the early stages of Zn deficiency.

Apple trees are extensively cultivated worldwide but are often affected by zinc (Zn) deficiency. Limited knowledge regarding Zn remobilization within fruit crops has hampered the development of efficient strategies for providing adequate amounts of Zn. In the present study, Zn distribution and remobilization were compared among apple trees cultivated under different Zn conditions. Without Zn application, plants showed visible symptoms of Zn deficiency at the shoot tips after 1 year but appeared to grow normally during the first 6 months (early stage of Zn deficiency). Compared with apple plants under sufficient Zn treatment, plants suffering from early-stage Zn deficiency showed preferential Zn distribution to young leaves and higher Zn levels in phloem, demonstrating that hidden Zn deficiency triggers a highly efficient remobilization of Zn in this species. The in vivo Zn-nicotianamine complex in phloem tissues, combined with the significant enhanced expression of MdNAS3 and MdYSL6, suggested a positive role for nicotianamine in the phloem remobilization of Zn. These results strongly suggest that a proportion of Zn in the old leaves of apple trees can be efficiently remobilized by phloem transport to the shoot tips, partially in the form of Zn-nicotianamine, thus protecting apple trees against the early stages of Zn deficiency.

Alteration of Phenolic Composition in Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) by Reducing Nitrogen Supply Enhances its Anti-Proliferative Effects on Colorectal Cancer Cells.

Consumption of vegetables rich in phenolic compounds has become a useful method to reduce the risk of developing several types of cancer. This study investigated the potential relationship between the alteration of phenolic compounds in lettuce induced by reduced nitrogen supply and its anti-proliferative effects on Caco-2 colorectal cancer cells. Our results showed that phenolic extracts from lettuce grown under low nitrogen conditions (LP) exhibited better anti-proliferative effects against Caco-2 cells, in part, by interfering with the cell cycle and inducing apoptosis, compared with those from lettuce supplied with adequate nitrogen. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis and correlation analysis indicated that the better anticancer activity of LP may be not only related to the increased phenolic content, but also associated with the increased percentage contribution of quercetin to total phenolics. Taken together, alteration of phenolic composition by reduced nitrogen supply can be an effectively strategy for the development of healthy vegetables as anticancer products.

Reduced nitrogen supply enhances the cellular antioxidant potential of phenolic extracts through alteration of the phenolic composition in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.).

BACKGROUND: Nitrogen availability is an important environmental factor that determines the production of phenolic compounds in vegetables, but the relationship between low nitrogen-induced alterations of phenolic compounds in vegetable crops and the cellular antioxidant activities of these compounds remains unclear. This study investigated the effect of reduced nitrogen supply (0.05 mmol L-1 nitrate) on phenolic metabolism in lettuce and the protective role of phenolic extracts against H2 O2 -induced oxidative stress in Caco-2 cells by determining cell damage, reactive oxygen species (ROS) content and antioxidant enzyme activities. RESULTS: Reduced nitrogen supply significantly improved the accumulation of phenolic compounds in lettuce, which was partially correlated with the upregulation of genes related to the phenolic synthesis pathway. Phenolic extracts from lettuce cultivated in low-nitrogen medium exhibited a better protective effect against H2 O2 -induced oxidative damage in Caco-2 cells than those from lettuce cultivated with adequate nitrogen. These extracts act by increasing the activities of antioxidant enzymes and, subsequently, by inhibiting ROS overproduction, which leads to a decrease in mitochondrial membrane and DNA damage. The results of HPLC and correlation analyses implied that the improvement in the protective capacity of lettuce extracts after low-nitrogen treatment may be related, not only to the increased content of phenolic compounds, but also to the increased percentage contribution of chlorogenic acid and quercetin derivatives to the total phenolic content. CONCLUSION: Reduction in nitrogen supply can be a powerful strategy to modify phenolic metabolism and composition in lettuce and, consequently, to improve their antioxidant capacity. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Cadmium Exposure-Sedum alfredii Planting Interactions Shape the Bacterial Community in the Hyperaccumulator Plant Rhizosphere.

Rhizospheric bacteria play important roles in plant tolerance and activation of heavy metals. Understanding the bacterial rhizobiome of hyperaccumulators may contribute to the development of optimized phytoextraction for metal-polluted soils. We used 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing to investigate the rhizospheric bacterial communities of the cadmium (Cd) hyperaccumulating ecotype (HE) Sedum alfredii in comparison to its nonhyperaccumulating ecotype (NHE). Both planting of two ecotypes of S. alfredii and elevated Cd levels significantly decreased bacterial alpha-diversity and altered bacterial community structure in soils. The HE rhizosphere harbored a unique bacterial community differing from those in its bulk soil and NHE counterparts. Several key taxa from Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and TM7 were especially abundant in HE rhizospheres under high Cd stress. The actinobacterial genus Streptomyces was responsible for the majority of the divergence of bacterial community composition between the HE rhizosphere and other soil samples. In the HE rhizosphere, the abundance of Streptomyces was 3.31- to 16.45-fold higher than that in other samples under high Cd stress. These results suggested that both the presence of the hyperaccumulator S. alfredii and Cd exposure select for a specialized rhizosphere bacterial community during phytoextraction of Cd-contaminated soils and that key taxa, such as the species affiliated with the genus Streptomyces, may play an important role in metal hyperaccumulation.IMPORTANCESedum alfredii is a well-known Cd hyperaccumulator native to China. Its potential for extracting Cd relies not only on its powerful uptake, translocation, and tolerance for Cd but also on processes underground (especially rhizosphere microbes) that facilitate root uptake and tolerance of the metal. In this study, a high-throughput sequencing approach was applied to gain insight into the soil-plant-microbe interactions that may influence Cd accumulation in the hyperaccumulator S. alfredii Here, we report the investigation of rhizosphere bacterial communities of S. alfredii in phytoremediation of different levels of Cd contamination in soils. Moreover, some key taxa in its rhizosphere identified in the study, such as the species affiliated with genus Streptomyces, may shed new light on the involvement of bacteria in phytoextraction of contaminated soils and provide new materials for phytoremediation optimization.

Calcium Deficiency Triggers Phloem Remobilization of Cadmium in a Hyperaccumulating Species.

Understanding cadmium (Cd) accumulation in plants is critical for the development of plant-based strategies for soil remediation and crop safety. Sedum alfredii is a nonbrassica plant species known to hyperaccumulate Cd. The characteristics of Cd uptake, distribution, and retranslocation affected by the Ca status were investigated at cellular levels in S. alfredii Low Ca supply significantly increased Cd contents in shoots of S. alfredii, particularly in the young leaves. Micro x-ray fluorescence images confirmed that sequestration of Cd was greatly enhanced in the young leaves under Ca deficiency stress, with a significant amount of Cd localized in mesophyll cells, compared to the young leaves supplied with high Ca levels. Cd influx into protoplasts isolated from young leaves was significantly inhibited by the addition of Ca channel inhibitors, but not by pre-exposure to Ca deficiency. In stems, the Cd signal in vascular systems under low Ca levels was 10-fold higher than in those treated with higher Ca levels. A detailed investigation of vascular bundles revealed that an extremely high Cd signal induced by low Ca supply occurred in the phloem tissues, but not in the xylem tissues. Transfer of Cd pretreated plants to nutrient solutions at different Ca levels confirmed that a much higher amount of Cd was reallocated to the new growth tissues under low Ca stress compared to plants supplied with sufficient Ca. These results suggest that Ca deficiency triggered a highly efficient phloem remobilization of Cd in S. alfredii and subsequently enhanced Cd accumulation in its young leaves.

Uptake, sequestration and tolerance of cadmium at cellular levels in the hyperaccumulator plant species Sedum alfredii.

Sedum alfredii is one of a few plant species known to hyperaccumulate cadmium (Cd). Uptake, localization, and tolerance of Cd at cellular levels in shoots were compared in hyperaccumulating (HE) and non-hyperaccumulating (NHE) ecotypes of Sedum alfredii. X-ray fluorescence images of Cd in stems and leaves showed only a slight Cd signal restricted within vascular bundles in the NHEs, while enhanced localization of Cd, with significant tissue- and age-dependent variations, was detected in HEs. In contrast to the vascular-enriched Cd in young stems, parenchyma cells in leaf mesophyll, stem pith and cortex tissues served as terminal storage sites for Cd sequestration in HEs. Kinetics of Cd transport into individual leaf protoplasts of the two ecotypes showed little difference in Cd accumulation. However, far more efficient storage of Cd in vacuoles was apparent in HEs. Subsequent analysis of cell viability and hydrogen peroxide levels suggested that HE protoplasts exhibited higher resistance to Cd than those of NHE protoplasts. These results suggest that efficient sequestration into vacuoles, as opposed to rapid transport into parenchyma cells, is a pivotal process in Cd accumulation and homeostasis in shoots of HE S. alfredii. This is in addition to its efficient root-to-shoot translocation of Cd.

Unique Rhizosphere Micro-characteristics Facilitate Phytoextraction of Multiple Metals in Soil by the Hyperaccumulating Plant Sedum alfredii.

Understanding the strategies that the roots of hyperaccumulating plants use to extract heavy metals from soils is important for optimizing phytoremediation. The rhizosphere characteristics of Sedum alfredii, a hyperaccumulator, were investigated 6 months after it had been planted in weathered field soils contaminated with 5.8 µg of Cd g-1, 1985.1 µg of Zn g-1, 667.5 µg of Pb g-1, and 698.8 µg of Cu g-1. In contrast with the non-hyperaccumulating ecotype (NHE), the hyperaccumulating ecotype (HE) of S. alfredii was more tolerant to the metals, and higher levels of Cd and Zn accumulated. The HE was characterized by a unique rhizosphere, including extensive root systems, a reduced soil pH, a higher metal bioavailability, and increased rhizomicrobial activity. The bioavailability of metals was significantly correlated with the HE's unique bacterial communities (P < 0.005). The HE harbored abundant Streptomyces (9.43%, family Streptomycetaceae), Kribbella (1.08%, family Nocardioidaceae), and an unclassified genus (1.09%, family Nocardioidaceae) in its rhizosphere, a composition that differed from that of the NHE. PICRUSt analysis predicted high relative abundances of imputed functional profiles in the HE rhizosphere related to membrane transport and amino acid metabolism. This study reveals the rhizosphere characteristics, particularly the unique bacterial rhizobiome of a hyperaccumulator, that might provide a new approach to facilitating heavy metal phytoextraction.

Decreasing methylation of pectin caused by nitric oxide leads to higher aluminium binding in cell walls and greater aluminium sensitivity of wheat roots.

Nitric oxide (NO) is an important bioactive molecule involved in cell wall metabolism, which has been recognized as a major target of aluminium (Al) toxicity. We have investigated the effects of Al-induced NO production on cell wall composition and the subsequent Al-binding capacity in roots of an Al-sensitive cultivar of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Yang-5). We found that Al exposure induced NO accumulation in the root tips. Eliminating NO production with an NO scavenger (cPTIO) significantly alleviated the Al-induced inhibition of root growth and thus reduced Al accumulation. Elimination of NO, however, did not significantly affect malate efflux or rhizosphere pH changes under Al exposure. Levels of cell wall polysaccharides (pectin, hemicelluloses 1, and hemicelluloses 2) and pectin methylesterase activity, as well as pectin demethylation in the root apex, significantly increased under Al treatment. Exogenous cPTIO application significantly decreased pectin methylesterase activity and increased the degree of methylation of pectin in the root cell wall, thus decreasing the Al-binding capacity of pectin. These results suggest that the Al-induced enhanced production of NO decreases cell wall pectin methylation, thus increasing the Al-binding capacity of pectin and negatively regulating Al tolerance in wheat.