Joint toxicity of cadmium (II) and microplastic leachates on wheat seed germination and seedling growth.

Cadmium (Cd) pollution ranks first in soils (7.0%) and microplastics usually have a significant adsorption capacity for it, which could pose potential threats to agricultural production and human health. However, the joint toxicity of Cd and microplastics on crop growth remains largely unknown. In this study, the toxic effects of Cd2+ and two kinds of microplastic leachates, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE), on wheat seed germination and seedlings' growth were explored under single and combined conditions. The results showed that Cd2+ solution and two kinds of microplastic leachates stimulated the wheat seed germination process but inhibited the germination rate by 0-8.6%. The combined treatments promoted wheat seed germination but inhibited the seedlings' growth to different degrees. Specifically, the combination of 2.0 mg L-1 Cd2+ and 1.0 mgC L-1 PVC promoted both seed germination and seedlings' growth, but they synergistically increased the antioxidant enzyme activity of seedlings. The toxicity of the PVC leachate to wheat seedlings was stronger than LDPE leachate. The addition of Cd2+ could alleviate the toxicity of PVC leachate on seedlings, and reduce the toxicity of LDPE leachate on seedlings under the same concentration class combinations but aggravated stress under different concentration classes, consistent with the effect on seedlings' growth. Overall, Cd2+, PVC, and LDPE leachates have toxic effects on wheat growth, whether treated under single or combined treatments. This study has important implications for the joint toxicity of Cd2+ solution and microplastic leachates in agriculture.

Physcomitrium patens CAD1 has distinct roles in growth and resistance to biotic stress.

BACKGROUND: Physcomitrium patens provides an evolutionary link between green algae and vascular plants. Although the genome of P. patens includes orthologs of all the core lignin biosynthetic enzymes, the occurrence of lignin in moss is very controversial. Besides, little information is available about the lignin enzymes in moss to date. For example, cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD) is a crucial enzyme that catalyzes the last step of the lignin biosynthetic pathway, suggesting an ideal way to study the evolutionary process. By investigating the functions of CAD in evolution, this study will elucidate the evolutionary roles of lignin-like in the early stage of land colonization. RESULTS: CAD multigene family in P. patens is composed of four genes. The PpCADs contain a conserved glycine-rich domain to catalyze NADPH-dependent reduction to their corresponding alcohols, indicating that PpCADs have the potential to synthesize monolignols by bioinformatics analysis. Even though PpCAD1 could produce lignin in theory, no conventional monomer was detected in the cell wall or cytoplasm of PpCAD1_OE plants. However, the phenylpropanoids were promoted in PpCAD1_OE transformants to modify gametophore architecture and development, making the distribution of phyllids more scarcity and the moss colony more giant, possibly due to the enhanced expression of the AUX-IAA family. The transcripts of at least one gene encoding the enzyme in the lignin biosynthetic pathway were increased in PpCAD1_OE plants. In addition, the PpCAD1_OE gametophore inhibited the Botrytis cinerea assault mainly by enhanced phenylpropanoids in the cell wall instead of influencing transcripts of defense genes pathogenesis-related 10 (PR10) and nonexpresser of PR genes 1 (NPR1). Likewise, ectopic expression of PpCAD1 in Arabidopsis led to a significant increase in lignin content, exhibiting chunky roots, robust seedlings, advanced flowering, and efficient resistance against pathogens. CONCLUSION: PpCAD occurs in more than one copy, suggesting functional divergence in the ancestral plant. PpCAD1 catalyzes monolignol biosynthesis and has homologous functions with vascular plants. Despite no detected conventional monolignol, the increased phenylpropanoids in the PpCAD1_OE gametophore, possibly intermediate metabolites in the lignin pathway, had conserved functions during the evolution of terrestrial plants. The results inferred that the lignin enzyme of the early non-vascular plant played roles in stem elongation and resistance against pathogens of P. patens during the conquest of land.

Oral sulfate solution benefits polyp and adenoma detection during colonoscopy: Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

OBJECTIVES: Although oral sulfate solution (OSS) has been revealed to be not only safe and efficacious but also noninferior to polyethylene glycol with ascorbic acid (PEG + ASC), it is unclear whether OSS can ultimately increase the polyp detection rate (PDR) and adenoma detection rate (ADR). We performed this meta-analysis to estimate the effect of OSS on PDR and ADR during colonoscopy. METHODS: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library to identify relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the comparative effect of OSS versus PEG + ASC on the PDR and ADR during colonoscopy. Cecal intubation time (CIT), cecal intubation rate (CIR), and bowel preparation score were also evaluated. Review Manager (RevMan) version 5.3.0 was used to perform statistical analysis. RESULTS: Eight RCTs involving 2059 patients fulfilled the selection criteria. Meta-analysis suggested that OSS significantly increased the PDR (47.34% vs. 40.14%, risk ratio [RR] 1.13, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03-1.24, P = 0.01) and ADR (44.60% vs. 38.14%, RR 1.17, 95% CI 1.03-1.33, P = 0.01) during colonoscopy. Subgroup analysis showed that the beneficial effects of OSS on PDR and ADR were consistent among patients with mean age >55 years and with body mass index <25 kg/m2 receiving outpatient colonoscopy, morning colonoscopy, and the 2-L bowel preparation protocol. Meanwhile, patients receiving OSS had a beneficial bowel preparation score. CONCLUSION: Compared with polyethylene glycol-based regimens, the OSS bowel preparation regimen significantly increased the PDR and ADR in patients undergoing colonoscopy.

Intrapulmonary Metastasis from Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma of the External Auditory Canal: A Case Report.

External auditory canal adenoid cystic carcinoma (EAC) is rare and is associated with nonspecific clinical manifestations such as early ear pain. We report a patient with advanced lung metastases from adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of the EAC, which is difficult to diagnose. Under general anesthesia, lengthened right temporal bone resection, parotidectomy, facial nerve resection, cervical lymph node dissection (I-III), partial mandibular resection, tumor resection in the inferior temporal fossa and lateral femoral flap repair were performed, followed by regular radiotherapy and chemotherapy. During 2 years of postsurgical follow-up, there was no recurrence. The combination of early detection, resection, postoperative radiotherapy, and chemotherapy can result in a good therapeutic effect.

Functional Outcomes Following Temporomandibular Joint Dissection Performed During Surgery for Skull Base Tumors.

BACKGROUND: During skull base tumor surgery, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dissection is commonly performed. The impact of this procedure on patients' postoperative diet and TMJ function is a matter of concern to surgeons. METHODS: We reviewed the Craniomandibular Index (CMI) for 32 patients (15 men and 17 women) who underwent TMJ dissection during surgery for skull base tumors between August 2015 and May 2018. RESULTS: Fifteen patients underwent removal of the mandibular condyle, and 17 had the condyle preserved. Twenty-one patients mainly underwent infratemporal fossa approach, and 11 underwent extended temporal bone resection. No significant difference between pre- and postoperative diet was observed in any group. Significant differences in CMI index were seen in all groups. The highest score was 0.115 of Dysfunction Index, observed postoperatively in the group that underwent condyle removal. CONCLUSIONS: For skull base tumor surgery, TMJ dissection has no significant impact on postoperative diet. Patients who underwent removal of the mandibular condyle have significantly worse postoperative TMJ function.

Comparative efficacy of combination of 1 L polyethylene glycol, castor oil and ascorbic acid versus 2 L polyethylene glycol plus castor oil versus 3 L polyethylene glycol for colon cleansing before colonoscopy: Study protocol of a randomized, double-blind, single-center study.

Colonoscopy has been regarded as an important method of early diagnosing and treating gastrointestinal lesions; however adequate bowel preparation is critical one of many factors needed for successful colonoscopy. Although several modified or novel regimes have been developed, desired quality of bowel preparation has not yet been generated. Scattered evidences revealed that castor oil may have potential of effectively cleansing colon. It is noted that, however, prospective trial of exploring the value of castor oil in preparing bowel before colonoscopy is lacking. The aims of this study are to test the hypotheses that low dose castor oil (30 mL) may enhance potential of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and combination of low castor oil and ascorbic acid may halve the volume of PEG.This is a randomized, double-blind (endoscopist and assessor), single center trial with three-arm design. We will randomly assign 282 adult patients (≥18 years but < 75 years), who are scheduled to undergo colonoscopy, to receive either 3 L PEG alone, 2 L PEG plus 30 mL castor oil or combination of 1 L PEG, 30 mL castor oil and 5 g ascorbic acid. The bowel preparation quality based on Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS) is the primary outcome. The secondary outcomes include the first defecation time, total number of defecation, time of cecal intubation, detection rate of polyp and adenoma, willing to repeat the same regime, tolerance to regime, and adverse events.The study protocol has been approved by the Clinical Research Ethics Committees of Chongqing University Cancer Hospital & Chongqing Cancer Institute & Chongqing Cancer Hospital & Chongqing Cancer Center (2017[107]). The results from this trial will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals, and will be presented at national and international conferences.

Comparative efficacy of low volume versus traditional standard volume PEG on bowel preparation before colonoscopy: Protocol for an updated meta-analysis with trial sequential analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Polyethylene glycol (PEG) has been considered as the first recommendation for bowel preparation prior to colonoscopy. A previous meta-analysis suggested that low volume PEG may improve the acceptability of ingesting bowel preparation solution. However, several limitations impaired the power of findings from this published meta-analysis, such as the variation in study design of included trials and adjuvant prescriptions. Moreover, some studies related to this topic have been published recently. And thus, the aim of this updated meta-analysis is to further assess the comparative efficacy of low volume versus standard volume of PEG on bowel preparation before colonoscopy with trial sequential analysis (TSA). METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Systematic searches will be performed to capture any potential randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigated the comparative efficacy of low volume versus traditional standard volume PEG on bowel preparation prior to colonoscopy in PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Moreover, we will also manually check the bibliographies of related studies and reviews so as to get additional studies. Two reviewers will independently screen the citation records, extract essential information, and appraise the risk of bias of each RCT in sequence. Finally, we will used the STATA software version 12.0 and TSA software version beta 0.9 to statistically analyze all data and test the robust of each pooled result, respectively. RESULTS: We will submit the full-text of systematic review to a peer-review journal for publication. CONCLUSION: This updated systematic review and meta-analysis with TSA will further assess the comparative efficacy and safety of low-volume versus traditional standard volume PEG for bowel preparation prior to colonoscopy. And then, a more comprehensive evidence body on low-volume compared to standard volume PEG in bowel preparation will be constructed.

Antibiofilm effect of drug-free and cationic poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) nanoparticles via nano-bacteria interactions.

AIM: Recently, nano-bio interactions and their biomedical impacts have drawn much attention, but nano-bacteria interaction and its function are unknown. Herein, we aim to synthesize drug-free and cationic nanoparticles (CNPs) and investigate CNP-bacteria interaction and its antibiofilm effect. MATERIALS & METHODS: The bioactivity of CNPs against Streptococcus mutans was examined by colony-forming units counting and scanning electron microscopy. CNP-bacteria interaction force was measured by atomic force microscopy. RESULTS: CNPs (217.7 nm, 14.7 mv) showed a concentration-dependent activity against bacteria. Particularly, CNPs at 200 µg/ml completely inhibited planktonic bacterial growth and biofilm formation, and disrupted ∼70% mature biofilm. CNP-bacteria interaction force was up to 184 nN. CONCLUSION: CNPs have great potentials for convenient local use for prevention and treatment of bacteria-related oral diseases.

Effects of polyethylene glycol 2 L alone or with ascorbic acid compared with polyethylene glycol 4 L alone for bowel preparation before colonoscopy: protocol for a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Colonoscopy has been regarded as a standard method of detecting and removing gastrointestinal lesions early, while adequate bowel preparation is the prerequisite of determining the diagnostic accuracy and treatment safety of this process. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) based bowel preparation regimens remain the first recommendation, but the optimal option is still uncertain. The aim of this systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) is to determine the optimal PEG based bowel preparation regimen before colonoscopy. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We will assign two investigators to independently search all potential citations, screen records, abstract essential information and appraise the risk of bias accordingly. Then, random effects pairwise and network meta-analyses of RCTs comparing PEG 2 L alone or with ascorbic acid with PEG 4 L alone will be performed using RevMan 5.3 (Copenhagen, Denmark: The Nordic Cochrane Centre, The Cochrane Collaboration, 2013), Stata 14 (StataCorp, Texas, USA) and WinBUGS 1.4 (Imperial College School of Medicine, St Mary's, London, UK) from January 2000 to April 2017. The surface under the cumulative ranking curve will also be calculated in order to rank the regimens. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethics approval and patient written informed consent will not be required because all of the analyses in the present study will be performed based on data from published studies. We will submit our systematic review and network meta-analysis to a peer reviewed scientific journal for publication. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO: CRD42017068957.