Soil moisture and soil organic carbon coupled effects in apple orchards on the Loess Plateau, China.

A large number of economic forests, especially apple orchards (AOs) in the Loess Plateau region of China, have been planted to develop the local economy and increase the income of farmers. The two main constraints preventing AOs on the Loess Plateau from developing sustainably and producing a high and steady yield are soil moisture content (SMC) and soil organic carbon (SOC). Nevertheless, little is currently known about the contributions of roots to these changes in the soil profile and the temporal modes of the SMC-SOC coupled effects. In our research, we analyzed the dynamic changes in SMC and SOC in AOs of various years in northern Shaanxi Province, as well as the coupled relationship between the two, and attempted to describe the function of roots in these changes. Research have shown: (1) As the age of the AOs increased, the SMC continued to decline throughout the 0-500 cm profile, especially at depths of 100-500 cm. SMC depletion mainly occurred in AOs aged 20 years (30.02%/year) and 30 years (31.18%/year). (2) Compared with abandoned land (AL), all the AOs except for the 6-year-old AO showed a carbon sequestration effect, and the carbon sequestration effect increased with age. The carbon sequestration rate of the 12-year-old AO was the highest and then decreased with age. Both surface and deeper soils showed better carbon sequestration, with a large amount of SOC being sequestered in deeper soil layers (> 100 cm). (3) The coupled effects of SMC and SOC varied with age and depth. The SMC in the deeper layers was significantly negatively correlated with SOC. Root dry weight density (RDWD) was significantly negatively correlated with SMC and significantly positively correlated with SOC. Path analysis suggested that SMC directly affects SOC at different soil depths, and regulates SOC by affecting RDWD, but these effects are significantly different at different depths. Therefore, we propose that management of AO should focus on the moisture deficit and carbon sequestration capabilities of deeper soils to ensure the sustainability of water use in AOs and the stability of agricultural carbon sequestration on the Loess Plateau.

Advances in alternative splicing identification: deep learning and pantranscriptome.

In plants, alternative splicing is a crucial mechanism for regulating gene expression at the post-transcriptional level, which leads to diverse proteins by generating multiple mature mRNA isoforms and diversify the gene regulation. Due to the complexity and variability of this process, accurate identification of splicing events is a vital step in studying alternative splicing. This article presents the application of alternative splicing algorithms with or without reference genomes in plants, as well as the integration of advanced deep learning techniques for improved detection accuracy. In addition, we also discuss alternative splicing studies in the pan-genomic background and the usefulness of integrated strategies for fully profiling alternative splicing.

Release behavior of fertilizers and heavy metals from iron-loaded sludge biochar in the aqueous environment.

In this study, the release behavior of fertilizers (NH4+-N, PO43- and K) and heavy metals (Mn, Zn, Ni, Cu, Pb and Cr) from iron-loaded sludge biochar (ISBC) was investigated to evaluated the feasibility and risks of ISBC as a slow release fertilizer. Their release capacity was significantly enhanced with decreasing initial pH, increasing solid-liquid ratio (RS-L) and rising temperature (p < 0.05). When the initial pH, RS-L and temperature were separately 5 (fertilizers)/1 (heavy metals), 1:5 and 298 K, the final concentrations of NH4+-N, PO43-, K, Mn, Zn and Ni were 6.60, 14.13, 149.4, 53.69, 72.56, and 1.01 mg L-1, while the maximum concentrations of Cu, Pb and Cr were 0.94, 0.77, and 0.22 mg L-1, respectively. Due to the tiny difference between the R2 values, revised pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order kinetics models described their release behavior well, suggesting that physical and chemical interactions played an important role. Activation energies greater than 40 kJ mol-1 indicated that the rate-controlling steps of the release of NH4+-N, PO43- and Ni were chemical reactions, while chemical reactions and diffusion together determined the release rates of K, Mn, Zn, Cu, Pb and Cr because their activation energies were in the range of 20-40 kJ mol-1. The increasingly negative ΔG and positive ΔH and ΔS suggested that their release was a spontaneous (except Cr) and endothermic process with an increase of randomness between the solid-liquid interface. The release efficiency of NH4+-N, PO43- and K were in the ranges of 28.21%-53.97%, 2.09%-18.06% and 39.46%-66.14%, respectively. Meanwhile, the pollution index and evaluation index of heavy metals were in the ranges of 33.31-227.4 and 4.64-29.24, respectively. In summary, ISBC could be used as a slow-release fertilizer with low risk when the RS-L was less than 1:40.

Effect of iron-loaded sludge biochar amendments on phytoremediation potential of Cr-contaminated soils by Leersia hexandra swartz.

In this study, the effect of iron-loaded sludge biochar (ISBC) with different amendment dosages (mass ratio of biochar to soil equal to 0, 0.01, 0.025 and 0.05) on the phytoremediation potential of Leersia hexandra swartz (L. hexandra) to Cr-contaminated soil was investigated. With increasing ISBC dosage from 0 to 0.05, plant height, aerial tissue biomass and root biomass increased from 15.70 cm, 0.152 g pot-1 and 0.058 g pot-1 to 24.33 cm, 0.304 g pot-1 and 0.125 g pot-1, respectively. Simultaneously, the Cr contents in aerial tissues and roots increased from 1039.68 mg kg-1 to 2427.87 mg kg-1 to 1526.57 mg kg-1 and 3242.62 mg kg-1, respectively. Thus, the corresponding bioenrichment factor (BCF), bioaccumulation factor (BAF), total phytoextraction (TPE) and translocation factor (TF) values were also increased from 10.52, 6.20, 0.158 mg pot-1 (aerial tissue)/0.140 mg pot-1 (roots) and 0.428 to 15.15, 9.42, 0.464 mg pot-1 (aerial tissue)/0.405 mg pot-1 (roots) and 0.471, respectively. The significant positive effect of ISBC amendment was primarily attributed to the following three aspects: 1) the root resistance index (RRI), tolerance index (TI) and growth toxicity index (GTI) of L. hexandra to Cr were increased from 100%, 100% and 0%-216.88%, 155.02% and 42.18%, respectively; 2) the bio-available Cr content in the soil was decreased from 1.89 mg L-1 to 1.48 mg L-1, while the corresponding TU (toxicity units) value was declined from 0.303 to 0.217; 3) the activities of urease, sucrase and alkaline phosphatase in soil were increased from 0.186 mg g-1, 1.40 mg g-1 and 0.156 mg g-1 to 0.242 mg g-1, 1.86 mg g-1 and 0.287 mg g-1, respectively. In summary, ISBC amendment was able to significantly improve the phytoremediation of Cr-contaminated soils by L. hexandra.

Effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy for patients after total knee arthroplasty: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is considered a common surgical option in patients with end-stage osteoarthritis of the knee. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for patients after TKA. PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science and CINAHL were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from inception to 20 August 2021. Included studies were evaluated with the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool. Six RCTs were included. Our study results demonstrated that a significant reduction in pain catastrophing was seen in patients receiving CBT at post-intervention (SMD -0.48, 95% CI = -0.72 to -0.23, I2 17.2%, p = 0.00) but not in 3-month or 12-month follow-up. There were no significant differences between CBT and usual-care patients regarding pain intensity or knee function at different time-points. This is the first time that meta-analysis has been conducted to determine the effectiveness of CBT for patients after TKA. It is necessary to conduct longer follow-ups, include larger samples and conduct rigorous RCTs to further explore this issue.

Characterization of the genetic and regulatory networks associated with sugar and acid metabolism in apples via an integrated strategy.

Although sugars and acids have a substantial influence on the taste of apple fruits, the genetic and regulatory networks underlying their metabolism in fruit remain insufficiently determined. To fully decipher the genetic basis of the accumulation of sugars and acids in apple fruits, we adopted an integrated strategy that included time-course RNA-seq, QTL mapping, and whole-genome sequencing to examine two typical cultivars ('HanFu' and 'Huahong') characterized by distinctive flavors. Whole-genome sequencing revealed substantial genetic variation between the two cultivars, thereby providing an indication of the genetic basis of the distinct phenotypes. Constructed co-expression networks yielded information regarding the intra-relationships among the accumulation of different types of metabolites, and also revealed key regulatory nodes associated with the accumulation of sugars and acids, including the genes MdEF2, MdPILS5, and MdGUN8. Additionally, on the basis of QTL mapping using a high-density genetic map, we identified a series of QTLs and functional genes underlying vital traits, including sugar and acid contents. Collectively, our methodology and observations will provide an important reference for further studies focusing on the flavor of apples.

Study on Intelligent Traditional Chinese Medicine Fumigation for Treating Lumbar Intervertebral Disc Herniation Based on Medical Big Data Mining.

With the improvement of the traditional Chinese medicine fumigation (TCMF), more and more people are studying lumbar intervertebral disc herniation (LIDH) by TCMF. In order to clarify the thermodynamic mechanism of TCMF to LIDH and provide a model reference for individualized diagnosis, the lower control system is compiled by the microprocessor, and the upper control system is compiled by computer technology of VB. In this new system, the medical information of patients is recorded in the databases by the upper control system, and clinical diagnosis and treatment experience are packaged in the lower control system. The simulation results and clinical examples show that the new control system of TCMF has better clinical efficacy for LIDH patients, which not only effectively improves the pain symptoms of LIDH patients but is also economical and safe.

Pain catastrophizing and associated factors in preoperative total knee arthroplasty in Lanzhou, China: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Pain catastrophizing in preoperative total knee arthroplasty (TKA) patients is associated with several poorly characterised factors in the literature. This study investigated the current state and associated factors of preoperative pain catastrophizing in patients undergoing TKA. METHODS: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the orthopedics ward of two tertiary hospitals in Lanzhou, China. Pain catastrophizing was measured using the Chinese versions of the Pain Catastrophizing Scale, Short Form-36 (physical function domain), Numerical Rating Scale, Oxford Knee Score, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and Life Orientation Test-Revised. RESULTS: The study included 360 participants. Preoperative TKA pain catastrophizing in all patients was high, with a mean score of 24.92 (SD: 12.38). The stepwise multiple linear regression analysis revealed anxiety (ß = 0.548, P < 0.01), education level (ß = - 0.179, P < 0.01), physical function (ß = - 0.156, P < 0.01), and pain intensity during activity (ß = 0.105, P = 0.015) as associated factors for pain catastrophizing, possibly explaining 51.2% of the total variation (F = 95.149, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Anxiety was the most relevant factor for pain catastrophizing in patients with preoperative TKA. Lower education levels, poor physical function, and stronger pain intensity during the activity were also associated with pain catastrophizing.

Reduction and removal of As(â ¤) in aqueous solution by biochar derived from nano zero-valent-iron (nZVI) and sewage sludge.

Biochar prepared by co-pyrolysis of nano-zero-valent iron and sewage sludge (nZVISB) was used to remove As(Ⅴ) from aqueous solution. When the initial pH was 2, the initial As(Ⅴ) concentration was 20 mg L-1, the dose of nZVISB was 10 g L-1, the contact time was 24 h, and the adsorption temperature was 298K, the removal efficiency of As(Ⅴ) was greater than 99%. The isothermal removal of As(Ⅴ) followed the Freundlich model better, and the maximum adsorption capacity of As(Ⅴ) was 60.61 mg g-1. The removal process of As(Ⅴ) could be better described by pseudo-second-order kinetic model, and the rate-controlling step should be liquid film diffusion and chemical reaction. Thermodynamic analysis indicated that the removal of As(Ⅴ) was a spontaneous and endothermic process dominated by chemical adsorption. The characterizations of nZVISB before/after adsorption and the solution after adsorption suggested that the iron-containing substances (Fe0, Fe2+, FeOOH) and organics in the nZVISB had a great effect on the removal of As(Ⅴ), and the As was mainly immobilized on nZVISB by speciation of As-O-Fe.

The role of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in reactive oxygen species metabolism in apple exocarp induced by acibenzolar-S-methyl.

Apple exocarp was used to investigate the effect of acibenzolar-S-methyl (ASM) and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) treatments on reaction oxygen species (ROS) metabolism. The results indicated that ASM enhanced the hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) content, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDHAR), glutathione reductase (GR) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH). ASM also increased the contents of ascorbic acid (AsA), reduced glutathione (GSH) and nicotinamide ademine dinucleotidephosphate (NADPH), MdSOD and MdAPX expression, but decreased MdMDHAR and dehydroascorbate reductase (MdDHAR) expression. DHEA suppressed H2O2 accumulation and POD, APX, MDHAR, G6PDH activities, but increased SOD, CAT and GR activities compared to the control. ASM and DHEA treatments suppressed the contents of AsA, GSH and NADPH, and expression of MdSOD, MdAPX and MdMDHAR. These results suggest that DHEA treatment prevented ROS metabolism induced by ASM which showed the important role of G6PDH in maintaining redox homeostasis in apple exocarp.

Parallel Bud Mutation Sequencing Reveals that Fruit Sugar and Acid Metabolism Potentially Influence Stress in Malus.

Apple sugar and acid are the most important traits of apple fruit. Bud sport cultivars can provide abundant research materials for functional gene studies in apple. In this study, using bud sport materials with a rather different sugar and acid flavor, i.e., "Jonathan" and "Sweet Jonathan", we profiled the whole genome variations and transcriptional regulatory network during fruit developmental stages using whole genome sequencing and RNA-sequencing. Variation analysis identified 4,198,955 SNPs, 319,494 InDels, and 32,434 SVs between the two cultivars. In total, 4313 differentially expressed genes among all of the d 44,399 genes expressed were identified between the two cultivars during fruit development, and functional analysis revealed stress response and signal transduction related genes were enriched. Using 24,047 genes with a more variable expression value, we constructed 28 co-expression modules by weighted correlation network analysis. Deciphering of 14 co-expression modules associated with sugar or acid accumulation during fruit development revealed the hub genes associated with sugar and acid metabolism, e.g., MdDSP4, MdINVE, and MdSTP7. Furthermore, exploration of the intra network of the co-expression module indicated the close relationship between sugar and acid metabolism or sugar and stress. Motif-based sequence analysis of the 17 differentially expressed ATP-binding cassette transporter genes and Yeast one-hybrid assay identified and confirmed a transcription factor, MdBPC6, regulating the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter genes and potentially participating in the apple fruit development or stress response. Collectively, all of the results demonstrated the use of parallel bud mutation sequencing and identified hub genes, and inferred regulatory relationships providing new information about apple fruit sugar and acid accumulation or stress response.

Effect of sodium nitroprusside treatment on shikimate and phenylpropanoid pathways of apple fruit.

Blue mould caused by Penicillium expansum is one of the important diseases of apple fruit during storage. Phenylpropanoid pathway is an important induction mechanism that can utilize downstream metabolites of shikimate pathway to synthesize a series of secondary metabolites. Apple fruit (cv. Fuji) were treated with sodium nitroprusside (SNP) to study its effect on blue mould, shikimate and phenylpropanoid pathways. The results showed that 1.0 mmol L-1 SNP significantly inhibited lesion development of apple fruit inoculated with P. expansum. The results also indicated that SNP enhanced MdDHQS, MdSKDH, MdSK and MdEPSPS genes expressions, increased shikimic acid, tryptophan, tyrosine and phenylalanine contents in apple fruit. The activities of phenylalanine ammonialyase, 4-coumarate: coenzyme A, ligase, cinnamate 4-hydroxylase, lignin, total phenolic compounds and flavonoids contents in apple fruit were also increased by SNP treatment. These results suggest that SNP might modulate shikimate and phenylpropanoid pathways to enhance disease resistance of apple fruit.

[Clinical comparison between micro-endoscopic discectomy (MED) and open discectomy for treatment of lumbar disc herniation].

OBJECTIVE: To compare between micro-endoscopic discectom) (MED) and open decompression discectomy, and assess the clinical value of MED. METHODS: Two hundreds and sixty-one cases who suffered from lumbar disc herniation had a retrospective study. One hundred and twenty-one of 261 patients were treated with MED including 72 male and 52 female with an average age of 37.6 years ranging 26 to 63, the segment of herniated discs were at L4.5 in 66 and at L5S1 in 58. The other 137 patients were treated with decompression by fenestration and discectomy including 66 male and 71 female with an average age of 44.5 years ranging 25 to 71, the segment of herniated discs were at L4.5 in 64 and at L5S1 in 73. MED was performed via a scopes. Open decompression discectomy was performed decompression by fenestration and discectomy. RESULTS: MED group were followed up for 14.5 months on average, the operative time was (85 +/- 15) minutes and blood loss was (50 +/- 10) ml, time of laying in bed after operation was (50 +/- 8) hours. Open decompression group were followed up for 15.5 months on average, operative time was (60 +/- 15) minutes and blood loss was (80 +/- 20) ml, time of laying bed after operation was (150 +/- 24) hours. MED group needed significantly less narcotic medication after operation than open decompression group. According to modified Macnab criteria, the results were excellent in 94, good in 25, fair in 5 in MED group and excellent in 101, good in 28, fair in 8 in open decompression group. CONCLUSION: As compared with open decompression group, MED offers a similar short-term clinical outcome, but with smaller incision, less tissue trauma and quicker recovery.