Attempts to obtain clean biochar from hyperaccumulator through pyrolysis: Removal of heavy metals and transformation of phosphorus.

The sound disposal of the ensuing heavy metal-rich plants can address the aftermath of phytoremediation. In this study, the first attempt was made to obtain heavy metals-free and phosphorus-rich biochar from phytoremediation residue (PR) by pyrolysis, and the effects of chlorinating agent type, chlorine dosage, and pyrolysis residence time on heavy metal removal, phosphorus (P) transformation, and biochar properties were investigated. The results showed that as chlorine dosage and pyrolysis residence time increased, added polyvinyl chloride (PVC) reduced the concentration of Zn in biochar to one-tenth of that in PR by intensified chlorination, where both Zn concentration (2727.50 mg/kg) and its leaching concentration (29.13 mg/L) met the utilization requirements, in which the acid-base property of biochar plays a key role in heavy metal leaching. Meanwhile, more than 90% of P in PR remained in biochar and the bioavailability of P in biochar enhanced with the decomposition of organic P to inorganic P, where the concentration of plant-availability P (Pnac) expanded from 1878.40 mg/kg in PR to 8454.00 mg/kg in biochar. This study demonstrated that heavy metal hyperaccumulator can be converted into heavy metal-free and phosphorus-rich biochar with promising applications, which provides new perspectives for the treatment of such hazardous wastes.

The Effects of Tai Chi and Baduanjin Activities on Physical Interventions With Substance Use Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of Tai Chi (TC) and Baduanjin (Bdj) activities on the physical intervention of compulsory segregation drug addicts through a meta-analysis system. Methods: Six commonly used databases were searched by computer to collect publicly available studies on the physical interventions of TC and Bdj activities for drug addicts from the time of database construction to May 2021. Two researchers independently screened the literature according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, jointly extracted the data, and evaluated the quality of the literature, and conducted Meta-analysis using RevMan 5.4 software. Results: A total of 16 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from 15 publications were included. Meta-analysis indicate that compared with the control group, TC and Bdj had significant effects on blood pressure, lung capacity, heart rate, closed-eye single-leg stand, and seated forward bending in drug addicts, as evidenced by: systolic pressure MD=-4.66, 95%CI = [-7.94, -1.39], p = .005; diastolic pressure MD = -3.49, 95%CI=[-5.45, -1.52], p = .0005; spirometry MD = 12.68, 95%CI = [43.83, 197.52], p = .002; heart rate MD = -2.78, 95%CI = [4.76, -.8], p = .006; MD = 1.47, 95%CI = [6.1, 14.84], p < .00,001 for one-leg stand with eyes closed, MD = 3.08, 95%CI = [1.8, 4.36], p < .00,001 for seated forward bend; however, the effect of TC and Bdj on BMI MD = .01, 95%CI = [-.54, .56], p = .97; grip strength MD = .68, 95%CI = [-.99, 2.34], p = .43; body fat percentage MD = .04, 95%CI = [-.59,.67], p = .91 had no effect. Conclusions: Tai Chi and Bdj can improve the cardiovascular system, cardiorespiratory fitness, balance, and body flexibility of drug addicts better than conventional rehabilitation.

Attenuation of Streptozotocin-Induced Lipid Profile Anomalies in the Heart, Brain, and mRNA Expression of HMG-CoA Reductase by Diosgenin in Rats.

Diabetes mellitus is associated with significant morbidity and mortality that contributes to pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. Diosgenin, a naturally occurring aglycone, is present abundantly in fenugreek. The steroidal saponin is being used as a traditional medicine for diabetes. The present study has investigated the effects of diosgenin on lipid profile in the heart and brain, mRNA expression, and hepatic HMG-CoA reductase (HMGR) activity of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. In our study, diosgenin was administered (40 mg/kg b.w.) orally for 45 days to control animals and experimentally induced diabetic rats. The effects of diosgenin on glucose, plasma insulin, cholesterol, triglycerides, free fatty acids, and phospholipids (PLs) in the heart and brain were studied. The levels of glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, free fatty acids, PLs, and HMGR activity were increased significantly (P < 0.05) whereas plasma insulin level was decreased in diabetic rats. Administration of diosgenin to diabetic rats significantly reduced blood glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, free fatty acids, PLs levels, and also HMGR activity. In addition, the plasma insulin level was increased in diosgenin-treated diabetic rats. The above findings were correlated with histological observations of the heart and brain. The results showed that administration of diosgenin remarkably increased plasma insulin level with absolute reduction of blood glucose, lipid profile, and HMGR level when compared to diabetic control rats. The results have suggested that diosgenin prevents hypercholesterolemia and hepatosteatosis by modulation of enzymatic expression that is associated with cholesterol metabolism.