Application of ZnSO4 or Zn-EDTA fertilizer to a calcareous soil: Zn diffusion in soil and its uptake by wheat plants.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to compare the efficiency of two Zn sources and two application methods on (i) Zn diffusion from fertilized soil to unfertilized soil, (ii) grain Zn concentration and (iii) grain Zn bio-accessibility to humans. In the laboratory experiment, 20 mg ZnSO4 or 4 mg Zn-EDTA were applied to a 5 mm and 1 mm-wide space in the soil in the half-cell technique. In the greenhouse experiment, Zn-ZnSO4 or Zn-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (Zn-EDTA) was mixed or banded with the soil at a rate of 20 or 4 mg Zn kg(-1) , respectively. RESULTS: The results from the diffusion experiment showed that both the extractability and the diffusion coefficient of Zn were higher when Zn fertilizer was applied to a 1 mm-wide space than when it was applied to a 5 mm-wide space. Zn-EDTA had a greater diffusion distance than ZnSO4 . The greenhouse experiment showed that the mixed ZnSO4 application and the Zn-EDTA application (both mixed and banded) treatments significantly increased grain Zn concentration and bio-accessibility. The positive effect of Zn-EDTA on grain Zn concentrations and bio-accessibility was greater than that of ZnSO4 . The banded application reduced the effectiveness of ZnSO4 but not of Zn-EDTA. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that Zn-EDTA was a better Zn source than ZnSO4 for increasing grain Zn content in a potentially Zn-deficient calcareous soil.

Comparison of soil and foliar zinc application for enhancing grain zinc content of wheat when grown on potentially zinc-deficient calcareous soils.

BACKGROUND: The concentration of Zn and phytic acid in wheat grain has important implications for human health. We conducted field and greenhouse experiments to compare the efficacy of soil and foliar Zn fertilisation in improving grain Zn concentration and bioavailability in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grain grown on potentially Zn-deficient calcareous soil. RESULTS: Results from the 2-year field experiment indicated that soil Zn application increased soil DTPA-Zn by an average of 174%, but had no significant effect on grain Zn concentration. In contrast, foliar Zn application increased grain Zn concentration by an average of 61%, and Zn bioavailability by an average of 36%. Soil DTPA-Zn concentrations varied depending on wheat cultivars. There were also significant differences in grain phytic acid concentration among the cultivars. A laboratory experiment indicated that Zn (from ZnSO4 ) had a low diffusion coefficient in this calcareous soil. CONCLUSION: Compared to soil Zn application, foliar Zn application is more effective in improving grain Zn content of wheat grown in potentially Zn-deficient calcareous soils.

Current Strategies for Promoting the Large-scale Production of Exosomes.

Exosomes, as nanoscale biological vesicles, have been shown to have great potential for biomedical applications. However, the low yield of exosomes limits their application. In this review, we focus on methods to increase exosome yield. Two main strategies are used to increase exosome production, one is based on genetic manipulation of the exosome biogenesis and release pathway, and the other is by pretreating parent cells, changing the culture method or adding different components to the medium. By applying these strategies, exosomes can be produced on a large scale to facilitate their practical application in the clinic.

Interleukin-17A in Alzheimer's Disease: Recent Advances and Controversies.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that mainly affects older adults. Although the global burden of AD is increasing year by year, the causes of AD remain largely unknown. Numerous basic and clinical studies have shown that interleukin-17A (IL-17A) may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of AD. A comprehensive assessment of the role of IL-17A in AD would benefit the diagnosis, understanding of etiology and treatment. However, over the past decade, controversies remain regarding the expression level and role of IL-17A in AD. We have incorporated newly published researches and point out that IL-17A expression levels may vary along with the development of AD, exercising different roles at different stages of AD, although much more work remains to be done to support the potential role of IL-17A in AD-related pathology. Here, it is our intention to review the underlying mechanisms of IL-17A in AD and address the current controversies in an effort to clarify the results of existing research and suggest future studies.

Impacts of phosphorus and zinc levels on phosphorus and zinc nutrition and phytic acid concentration in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).

BACKGROUND: Zinc (Zn) and phytic acid content in grain crops are directly related to their nutritional quality and therefore human health. To investigate the nutritional influences of phosphorus (P) and Zn levels on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), plants were grown hydroponically to maturity in chelator-buffered solutions. RESULTS: Appropriate amounts of P, coupled with sufficient Zn, increased P and Zn concentrations in wheat grain. The Zn supply decreased both phytic acid and the molar ratios of phytic acid to Zn in wheat grain with respect to the Zn(0) treatment. Furthermore, proportions of Zn and P content in the grain relative to that of the whole plant were improved. With increasing P, the proportion of Zn and P content in the grain relative to the whole plant decreased. P and Zn acted antagonistically in roots. Excess P inhibited Zn uptake in roots, while Zn decreased the transfer of P from roots to shoots. For P that had been transported to the shoots, supplemental Zn facilitated its transfer to the grain. CONCLUSION: Excess P decreased the distribution of Zn in grain, while Zn enhanced the uptake of Zn and P in grain, The combined application of Zn fertilizer with the extensive use of P fertilizer can effectively increase the P and Zn concentration and Zn bioavailability of wheat grain, and hence Zn nutritional quality.

Combined effect of iron and zinc on micronutrient levels in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).

A nutrient solution experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of Fe and Zn supply on Fe, Zn, Cu, and Mn concentrations in wheat plants. The experiment used a factorial combination of two Fe levels (0 and 5 mg l(-1)) and three Zn levels (0, 0.1 and 10 mg I(-1)). The supply of Fe (5 mg l(-1)) and Zn (0.1 mg l(-1)) increased plant dry weight and leaf chlorophyll content compared to the Fe or Zn deficient (0 mg 11) treatments. However, excess Zn supply (10 mg l(-1)) reduced plant dry weights and leaf chlorophyll content. Iron supply (5 mg l(-1)) reduced wheat Zn concentrations by 49%, Cu concentrations by 34%, and Mn by 56% respectively. Zinc supply (10 mg l(-1)) reduced wheat Fe concentrations by an average of 8%, but had no significant effect on Cu and Mn concentrations. Stepwise regression analyses indicated that Zn, Cu, and Mn concentrations were negatively correlated with root- and leaf-Fe concentrations, but positively correlated with stem-Fe concentrations. Leaf-Mn concentrations were negatively correlated with root-, stem- and leaf-Zn concentrations.

[Soil organic and inorganic carbon pools as affected by straw return modes under a wheat-maize rotation system in the Guanzhong Plain, Northwest China]. / å ³ä¸­å¹³åŽŸéº¦çŽ‰è½®ä½œä½“ç³»ä½œç‰©ç§¸ç§†ä¸åŒè¿˜ç”°æ¨¡å¼ä¸‹åœŸå£¤æœ‰æœºç¢³å’Œæ— æœºç¢³åº“å˜åŒ–ç‰¹å¾.

To understand the effects of straw return modes on soil carbon pools, we investigated total soil organic carbon (SOC), labile organic carbon fractions, and inorganic carbon (SIC) in different straw return modes at a depth of 0-40 cm under a maize-wheat cropping system in the Guanzhong Plain, Shaanxi, based on an 11-year field experiment. There were five straw return modes, i.e., no return of straw of both wheat and maize (CK), the retention of high wheat stubble plus the return of chopped maize straw (WH-MC), the return of both chopped wheat and maize straw (WC-MC), the retention of high wheat stubble and no return of maize straw (WH-MN), and the return of chopped wheat straw and no return of maize straw (WC-MN). The proportions of SOC storage were significantly higher under the WH-MC and WC-MC treatments than that under the CK by 28.1% and 22.2%, respectively. The proportions of SIC storage were increased by 20.4% and 17.3%, respectively. Compared with the initial value, the increases of sequestered SOC and SIC ranged from -0.84 t·hm-2 to 6.55 t·hm-2, respectively, and from -0.26 t·hm-2 to 8.61 t·hm-2, respectively. The efficiency of sequestration of SOC was 7.5%. To maintain the basic SOC level, the minimum carbon input from straw was 4.65 t·hm-2·a-1. The contents of labile carbon fractions at the 0-20 cm layer increased significantly under the WH-MC and WC-MC treatments compared with those of the control. Results of principal component analysis showed that the changes in soil carbon pools were primarily affected by the amount of straw return. Additionally, the increases in SIC storage could be ascribed to the Ca2+ and Mg2+ ions derived from irrigation water and plant residues that could coprecipitate with the CO2 from SOC mineralization to form CaCO3. In conclusion, our results indicated that the straw return mode that utilized the retention of high wheat stubble and chopped maize straw was sufficient to maintain soil carbon storage and would be the optimal straw-returning strategy for the region.

Triptycene-derived calix[6]arenes: synthesis, structures, and their complexation with fullerenes C60 and C70.

Two pairs of novel triptycene-derived calix[6]arenes 4a,b and 5a,b have been efficiently synthesized through both one-pot and two-step fragment-coupling strategies starting from 2,7-bis(hydroxymethyl)-1,8-dimethoxytriptycene 1. Subsequent demethylation of 4a,b and 5a,b with BBr(3) in dry dichloromethane gave the macrocyclic compounds 6a,b and 7a,b. Treatment of either 4a or 6a with AlCl(3) resulted in the same debutylated product 8, while 9 was similarly obtained from either 5a or 7a. Structural studies revealed that all of the macrocycles have well-defined structures with fixed conformations both in solution and in the solid state owing to the introduction of the triptycene moiety with a rigid three-dimensional (3D) structure, making them very different from their classical calix[6]arene counterparts. As a consequence, it was found that all of these the triptycene-derived calix[6]arenes could encapsulate small neutral molecules in their cavities in the solid state. Moreover, it was also found that the macrocycles 4b and 5b showed highly efficient complexation abilities toward fullerenes C(60) and C(70), forming 1:1 complexes with association constants ranging from (5.22+/-0.20) x 10(4) to (8.68+/-0.30) x 10(4) M(-1).

[Correlation analysis of mineral content and cooking quality from 20 broad bean varieties].

For exploration of the impact of mineral content on cooking quality of broad beans, this study collected 20 varieties of broad bean, and measured and analyzed the content of ash and 11 mineral elements. The relevance between mineral content and cooking quality was analyzed. The result indicated that there is a certain degree of relevance between mineral element content and the cooking quality of broad beans. These influential parameters in cotyledon were in the order of the value: Al, Mg, Zn and Mn mineral aggregate, ash P, Cu, K and Se, and Mg, Cu, Ca, Al and K mineral aggregate in seed coat.

Global dynamics and optimal control of a cholera transmission model with vaccination strategy and multiple pathways.

In this paper, we consider a cholera infection model with vaccination and multiple transmission pathways. Dynamical properties of the model are analyzed in detail. It is shown that the disease-free equilibrium is globally asymptotically stable if the basic reproduction number is less than unity; the endemic equilibrium exists and is globally asymptotically stable if the basic reproduction number is greater than unity. In addition, the model is successfully used to fit the real disease situation of cholera outbreak in Somalia. We consider an optimal control problem of cholera transmission with vaccination, quarantine, treatment and sanitation control strategies, and use Pontryagin's minimum principle to determine the optimal control level. The optimal control problem is solved numerically.

Mathematical analysis of an age-structured HIV-1 infection model with CTL immune response.

In this paper, an age-structured HIV-1 infection model with CTL immune response is investigated. In the model, we consider the infection age (i.e. the time that has elapsed since an HIV virion has penetrated the cell) of infected $T$ cells. The asymptotic smoothness of the semi-flow generated by the system is established. By calculation, the immune-inactivated reproduction rate $\mathscr{R}_0$ and the immune-activated reproduction rate $\mathscr{R}_1$ are obtained. By analyzing the corresponding characteristic equations, the local stability of an infection-free steady state and a CTL-inactivated infection steady state of the model is established. By using the persistence theory for infinite dimensional system, the uniform persistence of the system is established when $\mathscr{R}_1>1$. By means of suitable Lyapunov functionals and LaSalle's invariance principle, it is shown that if $\mathscr{R}_0<1$, the infection-free steady state is globally asymptotically stable; if $\mathscr{R}_1<1< \mathscr{R}_0$, sufficient conditions are derived for the global stability of the CTL-inactivated infection steady state; if $\mathscr{R}_1>1$, sufficient conditions are obtained for the global attractivity of the CTL-activated infection steady state. Numerical simulations are carried out to illustrate the feasibility of the theoretical results.

Transmission dynamics of cholera with hyperinfectious and hypoinfectious vibrios: mathematical modelling and control strategies.

Cholera is a common infectious disease caused by Vibrio cholerae, which has different infectivity. In this paper, we propose a cholera model with hyperinfectious and hypoinfectious vibrios, in which both human-to-human and environment-to-human transmissions are considered. By analyzing the characteristic equations, the local stability of disease-free and endemic equilibria is established. By using Lyapunov functionals and LaSalle's invariance principle, it is verified that the global threshold dynamics of the model can be completely determined by the basic reproduction number. Numerical simulations are carried out to illustrate the corresponding theoretical results and describe the cholera outbreak in Haiti. The study of optimal control helps us seek cost-effective solutions of time-dependent control strategies against cholera outbreaks, which shows that control strategies, such as vaccination and sanitation, should be taken at the very beginning of the outbreak and become less necessary after a certain period.

[Effects of combined addition of organic materials with zinc fertilizer on zinc availability and transformation in calcareous soil]. / æœ‰æœºç‰©æ–™ä¸Žé”Œè‚¥é æ–½å¯¹çŸ³ç°æ€§åœŸå£¤é”Œæœ‰æ•ˆæ€§åŠå½¢æ€è½¬åŒ–çš„å½±å“.

To investigate the changes of Zn availability and transformation in calcareous soil, orga-nic materials (maize straw, biofertilizer, fulvic acids, and chicken manure) were thoroughly mixed with the soils amended with Zn fertilizer in the nylon net bags and buried in a field. Results showed that compared with control (neither Zn nor organic materials), Zn fertilizer alone and combined addition with organic materials significantly increased soil total Zn concentration (7.2%-13.8%) and DTPA-Zn concentration (2.1-2.8 folds). For the Zn amended treatments, the contributions of organic amendments to soil total Zn and DTPA-Zn concentration decreased in the order of chicken manure > biofertilizer > maize straw > fulvic acids. The highest conversion rate of exogenous Zn into DTPA-Zn occurred in the treatments with straw and biofertilizer. In comparison with single Zn application, combination of Zn fertilizer with organic materials increased soil organic matter and stimulated more Zn weakly bound to organic matter, enhanced mobility factor and reduced distribution index of Zn in soil. The differences in soil Zn availability and transformation among the combinations of Zn fertilizer and organic materials were likely linked to the inherent properties of organic materials such as maturity degree and Zn content. Considering the environment safety and cost reduction, combining Zn fertilizer and straw return was the best practice to enhance Zn availability in the Zn-deficient calcareous soil, although its contribution to Zn availability was less than the combination of biofertilizer or chicken manure with Zn fertilizer.

[Capture and detection of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) IgM by a recombinant multi-epitope chimeric antigen].

To establish a sensitive and specific antibody-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (AC-ELISA) method to detect serum IgM against human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) by expressing a recombinant HCMV multi-epitope cheimeric antigen through genetic engineering. The dominant epitopes of HCMV were analyzed and selected by computer software A recombinant multi-epitope chimeric antigen expression vector including HCMV DNA was constructed, and transformed into E. coli BL21(DE3). The antigen was abundantly expressed, purified, and labeled by horseradish peroxidase for subsequent development of the AC-ELISA. Thirty validated positive sera and sixty-three validated negative sera were submitted for IgM detection by this recombinant antigen. The sensitivity and specificity of AC-ELISA with our recombinant antigen were both 100%. The sensitivity and specificity of this AC-ELISA diagnostic kit with the recombinant antigen are comparable to similar foreign commercial products.

Sophoraflavenone G Restricts Dengue and Zika Virus Infection via RNA Polymerase Interference.

Flaviviruses including Zika, Dengue and Hepatitis C virus cause debilitating diseases in humans, and the former are emerging as global health concerns with no antiviral treatments. We investigated Sophora Flavecens, used in Chinese medicine, as a source for antiviral compounds. We isolated Sophoraflavenone G and found that it inhibited Hepatitis C replication, but not Sendai or Vesicular Stomatitis Virus. Pre- and post-infection treatments demonstrated anti-flaviviral activity against Dengue and Zika virus, via viral RNA polymerase inhibition. These data suggest that Sophoraflavenone G represents a promising candidate regarding anti-Flaviviridae research.

[Effects of straw returning combined with medium and microelements application on soil organic carbon sequestration in cropland.] / ç§¸ç§†è¿˜ç”°é æ–½ä¸­å¾®é‡å ƒç´ å¯¹å†œç”°åœŸå£¤æœ‰æœºç¢³å›ºæŒçš„å½±å“.

A 52-day incubation experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of maize straw decomposition with combined medium element (S) and microelements (Fe and Zn) application on arable soil organic carbon sequestration. During the straw decomposition, the soil microbial biomass carbon (MBC) content and CO2-C mineralization rate increased with the addition of S, Fe and Zn, respectively. Also, the cumulative CO2-C efflux after 52-day laboratory incubation significantly increased in the treatments with S, or Fe, or Zn addition, while there was no significant reduction of soil organic carbon content in the treatments. In addition, Fe or Zn application increased the inert C pools and their proportion, and apparent balance of soil organic carbon, indicating a promoting effect of Fe or Zn addition on soil organic carbon sequestration. In contrast, S addition decreased the proportion of inert C pools and apparent balance of soil organic carbon, indicating an adverse effect of S addition on soil organic carbon sequestration. The results suggested that when nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers were applied, inclusion of S, or Fe, or Zn in straw incorporation could promote soil organic carbon mineralization process, while organic carbon sequestration was favored by Fe or Zn addition, but not by S addition.

[Effects of different straw-returning regimes on soil organic carbon and carbon pool management index in Guanzhong Plain, Northwest China].

A four-year (2008-2012) field experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of different straw-returning regimes on soil total organic carbon (TOC), labile organic carbon (LOC) and the ratio of LOC to TOC (LOC/TOC) as well as TOC stock (SCS) and soil carbon pool management index (CPMI) in a farmland with maize-wheat double cropping system in Guanzhong Plain area, Shaanxi Province, China. The results indicated that soil TOC and LOC contents and SCS were significantly increased when wheat or maize straw was returned to field, and the increasing extent showed the rising order as follows: double straw-returning > single straw-returning > no straw-returning. Compared to no straw returning, a significant increase of TOC and LOC contents and SCS was found in the treatment of wheat straw chopping retention combined with maize straw chopping subsoiling retention (WC-MM), and CPMI of WC-MM was significantly higher than in the other treatments in 0-20 cm soil layer. Compared to no wheat straw returning, soil CPMIs in 0-10 cm and 10-20 cm soil layer increased by 19.1% and 67.9% for the wheat straw chopping returning treatment, and by 22.6% and 32.4% for the maize straw chopping subsoiling treatment, respectively. Correlation analysis showed that soil CPMI was a more effective index reflecting the sequestration of soil organic carbon in 0-30 cm soil layer than the ratio of LOC to TOC. This study thus suggested that WC-MM regime is the best straw-returning regime for soil organic carbon sequestration.

[Effect of long-term shallow tillage and straw returning on soil potassium content and stratification ratio in winter wheat/summer maize rotation system in Guanzhong Plain, Northwest China].

Soil stratified sampling method and potassium chemical fractionation analysis were used to investigate effects of long-term shallow tillage and straw returning on soil K contents and stratification ratios in winter wheat/summer maize rotation system in Guanzhong Plain of Northwest China. The results showed that after 13-year continuous shallow tillage and straw returning, surface accumulation and stratification effect obviously occurred for soil available K (SAK) and non-exchangeable K (NEK), which was particularly remarkable for SAK and its fractions. Serious depletion of SAK occurred in 15-30 cm soil layer, and the SAK value was lower than the critical value of soil potassium deficiency. Meanwhile, significant differences were found between SR1 and SR2 values of SAK and its fractions, SR was obtained by values of topsoil layer (0-5 cm) divided by corresponding values of lower soil layers (5-15 cm layer, SR1, or 15-30 cm layer, SR2). However, no significant difference was observed between SR values of NEK and mineral K. In conclusion, returning of all straw over 10 years in the winter wheat/summer maize rotation system contributed greatly to maintaining soil K pool balance, while special attention should be paid to the negative effects of surface accumulation and stratification of SAK on soil K fertility.

[Effect of straw-returning on the storage and distribution of different active fractions of soil organic carbon].

The impacts of straw mulching and returning on the storage of soil dissolved organic carbon (DOC), particulate organic carbon (POC) and mineral associated organic carbon (MOC), and their proportions to the total organic carbon (TOC) were studied based on a field experiment. The results showed that compared to the treatment of wheat straw soil-returning (WR), the storage of TOC and MOC decreased by 4.1% and 9.7% respectively in 0-20 cm soil in the treatment with wheat straw mulching (WM), but the storage of DOC and POC increased by 207.7% and 11.9%, and TOC and POC increased significantly in 20-40 cm soil. Compared to the treatment with maize straw soil-returning (MR), the storage of TOC and MOC in the plough pan soil of the treatment with maize straw mulching (MM) increased by 13.6% and 14.6% , respectively. Compared to the WR-MR treatment, the storage of TOC and MOC in top soil (0-20 icm) significantly decreased by 8.5% and 10.3% respectively in WM-MM treatment. The storage of TOC, and POC in top soil was significantly higher in the treatments with maize straw soil-returning or mulching than that with wheat straw. Compared to the treatment without straw (CK), the storage of TOC in top soil increased by 5.2% to 18.0% in the treatments with straw returning or mulching in the six modes (WM, WR, MM, MR, WM-MM,WR-MR) (P<0.05), but the storage of TOC in the plough pan soil decreased by 8.0% to 11.5% (P<0.05) except for the treatments of WM and MM. The storage of DOC and DOC/TOC ratio decreased significantly in top soil in the treatments with straw mulching or returning in six modes. The storage of POC and POC/TOC ratio in WM and WM-MM treatments, MOC and MOC/TOC ratio in WR treatment, increased significantly in top soil. In the other three treatments with straw mulching and returning (MM, MR, WR-MR), the storage of POC and MOC increased significantly in top soil. These results suggested that straw mulching had the potential to accumulate active organic carbon fraction in soil, straw soil-returning had the potential to accumulate stable organic carbon fraction. Considering organic carbon sequestration in cropland in the region of Guanzhong plain, maize straw mulching or soil-returning was better than wheat straw, and wheat straw and maize straw soil-returning (WR-MR) were better than wheat and maize straw mulching (WM-MM).

Tanshinone derivatives: a patent review (January 2006 - September 2012).

INTRODUCTION: Tanshinone IIA (TSIIA), cryptotanshinone and tanshinone I are major bioactive constituents of Danshen, a Chinese herbal medicine. Sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate (STS) is a water-soluble derivative of TSIIA and it is currently used for treating cardiovascular diseases in China. AREAS COVERED: The article presents a review of the anti-atherosclerosis, cardioprotective effects, neuroprotection and anti-tumor activities of TSIIA and a review of patents on tanshinone derivatives from January 2006 to September 2012. EXPERT OPINION: Mechanistic studies have discovered that TSIIA modulates ion channels, kinases, hormone receptors, apoptosis proteins, growth factors, cytokines, microRNA, tumor suppressor and many other targets, revealing an intricate biological network modulated by TSIIA. Many patents have attempted to overcome the low water solubility of TSIIA and tanshinone I by attaching a polar substituent or by a prodrug strategy. However, biological activities of these tanshinone derivatives need to be further evaluated. Given the extensive in vitro and in vivo biological activities of TSIIA, this compound is a promising candidate to be further developed as a novel therapeutics for treating atherosclerosis, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases and cancer.