Decomposition of exotic versus native aquatic plant litter in a lake littoral zone: Stoichiometry and life form analyses.

The decomposition rates and stoichiometric characteristics of many aquatic plants remain unclear, and our understanding of material flow and nutrient cycles within freshwater ecosystems is limited. In this study, an in-situ experiment involving 23 aquatic plants (16 native and 7 exotic species) was carried out via the litter bag method for 63 days, during which time the mass loss and nutrient content (carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P)) of plants were measured. Floating-leaved plants exhibited the highest decomposition rate (0.038 ± 0.002 day-1), followed by submerged plants and free-floating plants (0.029 ± 0.002 day-1), and emergent plants had the lowest decomposition rate (0.019 ± 0.001 day-1). Mass loss by aquatic plants correlated with stoichiometric characteristics; the decomposition rate increased with an increasing P content and with a decreasing C content, C:N ratio, and C:P ratio. Notably, the decomposition rate of submerged exotic plants (0.044 ± 0.002 day-1) significantly exceeded that of native plants (0.026 ± 0.004 day-1), while the decomposition rate of emergent exotic plants was 55 ± 4 % higher than that of native plants. The decomposition rates of floating-leaved and free-floating plants did not significantly differ between the native and exotic species. During decomposition, emergent plants displayed an increase in C content and a decrease in N content, contrary to patterns observed in other life forms. The P content decreased for submerged (128 ± 7 %), emergent (90 ± 5 %), floating-leaved (104 ± 6 %), and free-floating plants (32 ± 6 %). Exotic plants released more C and P but accumulated more N than did native plants. In conclusion, the decomposition of aquatic plants is closely linked to litter quality and influences nutrient cycling in freshwater ecosystems. Given these findings, the invasion of the littoral zone by submerged and emergent exotic plants deserves further attention.

Clinical study of electroacupuncture on the recovery of gastrointestinal dysfunction after laparoscopic surgery for gastrointestinal cancer - study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal dysfunction is one of the common complaints for patient post-surgery. Acupuncture has been employed to improve gastrointestinal function and sleeping quality and has confirmed clinical efficacy for emotional problems. This study aims to evaluate the clinical effect of electroacupuncture for postoperative rapid recovery. METHODS: This study design is a two-arm, parallel, double-blinded randomized controlled trial. 104 subjects, aged from 40 to 89 years old, diagnosed with gastrointestinal cancer undergoing laparoscopic surgery, will be divided into Interventional Group and Control Group. Patients of both groups receive perioperative care under the guidance of ERAS guidance. The Interventional Group receives electroacupuncture treatment starting from the first day post-surgery for a consecutive 5 days, whereas the Control Group receives placebo electroacupuncture treatment. The primary outcome will be the first flatus time whereas the secondary outcomes will be the first sign of borborygmus, recovery of defecation, laboratory tests and questionnaires including Self-rating anxiety scale, Ford Insomnia Response to Stress Test, TCM rating scale of Gastrointestinal symptoms and Gastrointestinal Symptoms Rating Scales. DISCUSSION: This study aims to provide timely intervention for post-laparoscopic patients with gastrointestinal tumour using the ERAS concept combined with electroacupuncture, observe the efficacy of this therapy in treating PGID, and contribute reliable scientific evidence for postoperative rapid recovery. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chictr.org.cn Identifier: ChiCTR2300078710. Registered on 15th December 2023.

Composition analysis of Compound Shenhua Tablet, a seven-herb Chinese medicine for IgA nephropathy: evaluation of analyte-capacity of the assays.

Compound Shenhua Tablet, a medicine comprising seven herbs, is employed in treating IgA nephropathy. This study aimed to meticulously analyze its chemical composition. Based on a list of candidate compounds, identified through extensive literature review pertinent to the tablet's herbal components, the composition analysis entailed the systematic identification, characterization, and quantification of the constituents. The analyte-capacity of LC/ESI-MS-based and GC/EI-MS-based assays was evaluated. The identified and characterized constituents were quantified to determine their content levels and were ranked based on the constituents' daily doses. A total of 283 constituents, classified into 12 distinct categories, were identified and characterized in the Compound Shenhua Tablet. These constituents exhibited content levels of 1-10 982 µg·g-1, with daily doses of 0.01-395 µmol·d-1. The predominant constituents, with daily doses of ≥ 10 µmol·d-1, include nine organic acids (citric acid, quinic acid, chlorogenic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid, gallic acid, neochlorogenic acid, isochlorogenic acid C, isochlorogenic acid B, and linoleic acid), five iridoids (specnuezhenide, nuezhenoside G13, nuezhenidic acid, secoxyloganin, and secologanoside), two monoterpene glycosides (paeoniflorin and albiflorin), a sesquiterpenoid (curzerenone), a triterpenoid (oleanolic acid), and a phenylethanoid (salidroside). Additionally, there were 83, 126, and 55 constituents detected in the medicine with daily doses of 1-10, 0.1-1, and 0.01-0.1 µmol·d-1, respectively. The combination of the LC/ESI-MS-based and GC/EI-MS-based assays demonstrated a complementary relationship in their analyte-capacity for detecting the constituents present in the medicine. This comprehensive composition analysis establishes a solid foundation for further pharmacological research on Compound Shenhua Tablet and facilitates the quality evaluation of this complex herbal medicine.