Effects of chromate on nitrogen removal and microbial community in two-stage vertical-flow constructed wetlands.

Nitrogen and chromium (Cr(VI)) pollution in waterbodies pose great threats to human health, and a cost-effective alternative with Cr(VI) and nitrogen simultaneous removal is still needed. This study investigated the influence of Cr(VI) on nitrogen removal in the two-stage vertical-flow constructed wetlands (TS-VFCWs) along with iron ore and woodchip, and explored relationship between Cr(VI) and nitrogen removal. The results showed that efficient Cr(VI) and nitrogen removal were simultaneously achieved in TS-VFCWs together with iron-ore and woodchip under 2 mg/L-Cr(VI), whereas 10 mg/L-Cr(VI) gave significant and recoverable inhibition of nitrogen removal. Cr(VI) supplementation promoted the beneficiation of Cr(VI)-reducing/resistant bacteria IMCC26207 and Bryobacter on iron-ore. Woodchip enriched Cr(VI)-reducing bacteria Streptomyces and Thiobacillus. XRD and XPS showed that abundant bound-Cr existed in the surface of iron ore and woodchip, and Cr(III) precipitation/oxide was the major product. High abundances of nitrifying and autotrophic/heterotrophic denitrifying bacteria ensured good nitrogen removal at Cr(VI) stress.

Pollution-free Cultivation of Stellaria dichotoma var. lanceolata / 中国实验方剂学杂志

As a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine,Stellaria dichotoma var. lanceolata has a medicinal history of several hundred years, and been included in the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China. With a sweet fact and mild war nature, it enters liver and stomach meridians. With effects in clearing deficient heat and eliminating fever in infantile malnu, it has been used to treat such diseases as Yin deficiency fever, consumptive fever due to Yin deficiency and infantile chancre fever, and taken as the raw materials of Wuji Baifeng Wan and other traditional Chinese medicine preparations. In recent years,there have been increasing demands for S. dichotoma var. lanceolata from people. However, its wild resources have been over-excavated for a long time,leading to a serious shortage of wild strains. Furthermore, the quality of artificial S. dichotoma var. lanceolata medicine is far different from that of wild cultivars. Meanwhile,pesticide residues and excessive metal standards due to the irrational use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers in the production process, as well as the large number of counterfeits in the market seriously impact the quality,efficacy and drug safety of S. dichotoma var. lanceolata medicine. Therefore, the non-polluted production technology of S. dichotoma var. lanceolata is of great significance. The non-polluted production technology would be an effective mode for promoting the sound development of S. dichotoma var. lanceolata industry in the future and the key to solve the issues. This article summarizes the environment of suitable production area,plantation method, comprehensive soil improvement, field management and rational fertilization technology. It also proposes that the prevention and control of pollution-free safflower pests and diseases should follow the principle of giving priority to comprehensive prevention. The pollution-free and technical regulation system of S.dichotoma var. lanceolata cultivars is built to produce excellent,high-quality and non-polluted production with low content of pesticide residues and heavy metals,and promote the healthy and sustainable development of the global S.dichotoma var. lanceolata industry.

Prediction of the globally ecological suitability of Panax quinquefolius by the geographic information system for global medicinal plants (GMPGIS) / 中国天然药物

American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) is a well-known Asian traditional herbal medicine with a large market demand. The plant is native to eastern North America, and its main producing areas worldwide are decreasing due to continuous cropping obstacles and environmental changes. Therefore, the identification of maximum similarities of new ecological distribution of P. quinquefolius, and prediction of its response to climate change in the future are necessary for plant introduction and cultivation. In this study, the areas with potential ecological suitability for P. quinquefolius were predicted using the geographic information system for global medicinal plants (GMPGIS) based on 476 occurrence points and 19 bioclimatic variables. The results indicate that the new ecologically suitable areas for P. quinquefolius are East Asia and the mid-eastern Europe, which are mainly distributed in China, Russia, Japan, Ukraine, Belarus, North Korean, South Korea, andRomania. Under global climate change scenarios, the suitable planting areas for P. quinquefolius would be increased by 9.16%-30.97%, and expandingnorth and west over the current ecologically suitable areas by 2070. The potential increased areas that are ecologically suitable include northern Canada, Eastern Europe, and the Lesser Khingan Mountains of China, and reduced regions are mainly in central China, the southern U.S., and southern Europe. Jackknife tests indicate that the precipitation of the warmest quarter was the important climatic factor controlling the distribution of P. quinquefolius. Our findings can be used as auseful guide for P. quinquefolius introduction and cultivation in ecologically suitable areas.

Research advances in the relationship between iron deficiency and neurodevelopment in preterm infants / 中国当代儿科杂志

Iron deficiency (ID) is the most common micronutrient deficiency in children. Due to insufficient iron storage at birth and rapid catch-up growth after birth, preterm infants tend to have a high incidence rate of ID. During the critical period of brain development, ID alters iron-dependent neurometabolism, neurochemistry, neuroanatomy, and gene/protein profiles. This affects the central nervous system and causes the change in neurocognitive and behavioral development. Iron supplementation in infancy cannot reverse neurodevelopmental impairment caused by perinatal ID. The influence of ID on neurodevelopment is time- and region-specific, and in the high-risk population, early diagnosis and optimal iron treatment may help with the recovery of brain function and improve quality of life and long-term prognosis in preterm infants.

A study of global ecological adaptability and field selection practices of Panax ginseng / 中国中药杂志

Through the development of ecological suitability analysis of producing area and the selection criteria of farmland cultivation in the global range of ginseng, we aim to provide scientific basis for rational planning, production layout and standardized planting of farmland. We analyze the data based on the ecological factors from 271 sample plots of Panax ginseng, including both the traditional producing regions recorded in past dynasties medicinal works and the popular production regions in the world, using global geographic information system for medicinal plant(GMPGIS) developed by ICMM (Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences). We concluded that the suitable producing areas in global for P. ginseng mainly included America, Canada, China, Russia, Japan, North Korea, France, Italy, Ukraine, and South Korea. In addition, the suitable producing areas in China mainly included Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, Shanxi, Gansu, Hubei, Sichuan, Inner Mongolia, Shandong, and Shanxi. Besides, based on the references and the experience of ginseng-producing and our many years' work on the 1,000-hectare plantation of P. ginseng, we established a standard land selection protocol for cultivation of P. ginseng. The use of GMPGIS to select the most optimum ginseng production regions provides a new scientific basis for introduction, cultivation, tending, protection, cultivation normalization for P. ginseng and the standard land selection protocol would lay a solid foundation for the high quality P. ginseng production.

Cropping system and research strategies in Panax ginseng / 中国中药杂志

Panax ginseng is the king of herbs and plays important roles in the traditional Chinese medicine industry. In this paper, we summarized the development of ginseng cultivation in China and other main countries, analyzed the effects of ecological factors of soil and climate on ginseng distribution, and investigated the characteristic of main cultivation patterns (conversion of forest to cultivate ginseng soils, cultivated ginseng in the farmland and wild nursery). Aimed at the serious issues in the cultivation, research strategies have been provided to guarantee the sustainable development of the ginseng industry. The patterns of cultivated ginseng in the farmland should be strive to develop; pollution-free cultivation and studies of continuous cropping obstacles should be carried out; ginseng varieties suited to ecological environment of farmland should be bred using modern biotechnology.

Mediolateral subchondral tibial bone mineral density difference does not predict osteoarthritis progression.

Data on the relationship between osteoporosis and osteoarthritis are conflicting. Most studies report "snapshot" prevalences, and there are few studies evaluating localized knee bone mineral density (BMD) measurements with respect to subsequent osteoarthritis progression. The authors hypothesize that increased mediolateral difference of the proximal tibial BMD may predict progression of knee osteoarthritis. In this study, 246 female volunteers were followed up prospectively over 2 years. Baseline BMD measurements of bilateral proximal (subchondral) tibiae were performed, and the mediolateral BMD ratio was calculated. Precision studies were performed on healthy volunteers to validate the technique. The patients were divided into osteoarthritis progressors and non-progressors based on Kellgren-Lawrence radiographic criteria at 2-year follow-up. Patients who were taking bisphosphonates or who had a history of inflammatory, infectious, or metabolic bone disease and previous hip and knee surgery were excluded. Demographic data, calcium supplementation, physical activity, baseline knee radiographs, and radiographs at 2-year follow-up were obtained. The study was adequately powered to detect an effect size of 0.4. There were 121 progressors and 125 non-progressors. Mean mediolateral BMD ratio was 1.02 among the progressors and 1.01 among the non-progressors (t=0.632, P=.528). Potential confounders were equally distributed among both groups. The data suggest that there is no link between proximal tibial BMD ratio and progression of knee osteoarthritis.

Assessment of external methods of traditional Chinese medicine in patients with chronic ulcer of the lower extremities: study protocol of a multicenter, randomized, parallel-group, prospective trial / 中西医结合学报

Chronic ulcer of the lower extremities amounts for a grave and serious problem for public health. Western medicine focuses on controlling infection, improving blood circulation, surgical debridement, skin grafting, etc, but there are bottlenecks in the treatment. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a long history and a legacy of sound clinical efficacy in this area. TCM has developed a unique, effective external theory, and a large number of topical prescriptions and external technology. Through this research, a safe and effective treatment protocol of TCM for chronic ulcer of the lower extremities can be formed. To this end, during China's "Eleventh Five-Year" Plan, special research committees and projects on TCM external treatments and external technologies were established. This study on ulcer of the lower extremities constitutes one of the major research topics.

Experimental studies on antiarrhythmic effect of jumi extraction / 中国应用生理学杂志

<p><b>AIM</b>To investigate the antiarrhythmic effect of jumi (JM) extraction.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The conventional antiarrhythmic methods were used.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Administration of JM extraction reduced the occurrence of ventricular fibrillation induced by chloroform in a dose-dependent manner in mice. Quinidine significantly decreased the number of ventricular premature beats and ventricular tachycardia, shortened the duration of arrhythmia in aconitine-treated rats. But JM extraction had no effect on aconitine-induced arrhythmia. Compared with control, arrhythmia score was lower in ischemia/reperfusion rats which pretreated with 2.0 g/kg of JM extraction.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>JM extraction has obvious protection effects in chloroform- and ischemia-induced arrhythmia, but has no effect in aconitine-induced arrhythmia.</p>

Protective effect of mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium channel opener on rat heart during hypothermic preservation / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate whether the mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium channel (mitoK(ATP)) opener diazoxide as an additive to cardioplegia solution could enhance myocardial protection during hypothermic preservation of the rat heart.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The Langendorff model of isolated rat heart was used. After equilibrium, the hearts were stored in Celsior cardioplegia solution at 4 degree with or without supplement of diazoxide for 3 or 8 h followed by 60 minutes reperfusion. The recovery of cardiac contractile function, myocardial enzyme leakage in the coronary effluent, and myocardial water content were determined. The myocardial ultrastructure was also observed.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>(1) Treatment of diazoxide improved the recovery of left ventricular developed pressure and decreased the leakage of myocardial enzymes, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase (CK), at the 2nd and 4th minute of reperfusion of rat heart after hypothermic preservation for 3 h. (2) After hypothermic preservation for 8 h, diazoxide improved the recovery of left ventricular developed pressure and decreased the leakage of myocardial enzymes (LDH, CK and glutamic oxalic transaminase) during reperfusion. Moreover, left ventricular end-diastolic pressure was significantly lower in diazoxide-treated hearts than that of hearts in Celsior solution. (3) Diazoxide significantly decreased the water content of myocardium and increased coronary flow of the hearts compared with those in control after hypothermic preservation for 8 h. (4) Impairment of myocardial ultrastructure after 8 h hypothermic preservation was alleviated in hearts treated with 30 mol/L diazoxide. (5) The cardiac effects of 30 mol/L diazoxide were attenuated by a mitoK(ATP) blocker 5-hydroxydecanoate (100 micromol/L).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Diazoxide as a supplementation in cardioplegia solution could enhance myocardial protection during hypothermic heart preservation via opening of mitochondrial K(ATP) channel.</p>

The protective effect of diazoxide on long-term heart preservation / 生理学报

Prolongation of the duration of heart preservation in vitro is very important in clinical heart transplantation. Previous studies have shown that mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium channel (mitoK(ATP)) plays an important role in cardioprotective effect. The purpose of this study was to assess whether the mitoK(ATP) opener diazoxide as an additive to cardioplegia solution could enhance myocardial protection during long-term hypothermic preservation of the rat heart. Langendorff model of isolated rat heart was used. After 30 min stabilization of perfusion, the hearts were stored in Celsior cardioplegia solution at 4 degrees C with (15, 30 and 45 micromol/L) or without diazoxide, a mitoK(ATP) channel opener, for 10 h followed by 60 min reperfusion. The recovery of cardiac contractile function, myocardial enzyme leakage in the coronary effluent, and myocardial water content were determined. The myocardial ultrastructure was also observed. We found that: (1) Diazoxide treatment improved the recovery of left ventricular developed pressure and +/-dp/dt(max) dose-dependently. Left ventricular end-diastolic pressure was significantly lower in diazoxide-treated hearts than that of hearts in Celsior solution after hypothermic preservation for 10 h. (2) Diazoxide at 30 and 45 micromol/L significantly decreased the water content of myocardium and increased coronary flow of the hearts compared to those in control. (3) The leakage of myocardial enzymes (lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase and glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase) in the coronary effluent was significantly reduced in diazoxide-treated hearts. (4) Impairment of myocardial ultrastructure after 10 h hypothermic preservation was alleviated in hearts treated with 30 micromol/L diazoxide. (5) The cardiac effects of 30 micromol/L diazoxide were attenuated by a mitoK(ATP) blocker 5-hydroxydecanoate (5-HD, 100 micromol/L). These results indicate that diazoxide as a supplementation in cardioplegia solution could enhance myocardial protection during long-term hypothermic heart preservation via opening of mitochondrial K(ATP) channel.