Straw Incorporation with Exogenous Degrading Bacteria (ZJW-6): An Integrated Greener Approach to Enhance Straw Degradation and Improve Rice Growth.

Rice straw is an agricultural waste, the disposal of which through open burning is an emerging challenge for ecology. Green manufacturing using straw returning provides a more avant-garde technique that is not only an effective management measure to improve soil fertility in agricultural ecosystems but also nurtures environmental stewardship by reducing waste and the carbon footprint. However, fresh straw that is returned to the field cannot be quickly decomposed, and screening microorganisms with the capacity to degrade straw and understanding their mechanism of action is an efficient approach to solve such problems. This study aimed to reveal the potential mechanism of influence exerted by exogenous degradative bacteria (ZJW-6) on the degradation of straw, growth of plants, and soil bacterial community during the process of returning rice straw to the soil. The inoculation with ZJW-6 enhanced the driving force of cellulose degradation. The acceleration of the rate of decomposition of straw releases nutrients that are easily absorbed by rice (Oryza sativa L.), providing favorable conditions for its growth and promoting its growth and development; prolongs the photosynthetic functioning period of leaves; and lays the material foundation for high yields of rice. ZJW-6 not only directly participates in cellulose degradation as degrading bacteria but also induces positive interactions between bacteria and fungi and enriches the microbial taxa that were related to straw degradation, enhancing the rate of rice straw degradation. Taken together, ZJW-6 has important biological potential and should be further studied, which will provide new insights and strategies for the appropriate treatment of rice straw. In the future, this degrading bacteria may provide a better opportunity to manage straw in an ecofriendly manner.

Evaluation of the mandibular split patterns in sagittal split ramus osteotomy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the split patterns of the mandibular ramus in sagittal split ramus osteotomy (SSRO) using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and examine the related anatomic features that may be associated with these split patterns. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The authors designed and implemented a retrospective cohort study and enrolled a sample composed of consecutive patients with different maxillofacial deformities who underwent an SSRO from July 2011 through October 2012 at the Department of Orthognathic Surgery at the Tianjin Stomatological Hospital of Nankai University. The split patterns, which were selected at random at 1 side per patient, were evaluated by CBCT as the outcome variable 1 month after the operation. The predictor variable was composed of a set of heterogeneous anatomic variables that could be associated with the split patterns. Type I split was defined as a split at the lingual side near the mylohyoid sulcus. Type II split was defined as a split at the posterior border of the mandibular ramus. Appropriate bivariate and regression statistics were computed, and the level of statistical significance was set at a P value less than .05. RESULTS: One hundred thirty patients with different maxillofacial deformities (62 male and 68 female; mean age, 23 yr) underwent an SSRO. Two types of split patterns of the mandibular ramus were observed in SSRO: a split at the lingual side near the mylohyoid sulcus, which occurred in 75.38% of patients, and split at the posterior border region of the mandibular ramus, which occurred in 24.62% of patients. No fracture lines were observed through the mandibular canal. The thickness of the lingual cortical bone between the mandibular canal and the posterior border of the ramus was significantly associated with the split patterns (P < .05). The thickness of the cortical bone in the posterior border of the ramus, the degree of the mandibular angle, and the shapes of the mandibular ramus in the axial plane also were found to influence these split patterns. There was no meaningful association between the split patterns and a patient's age and gender. CONCLUSION: The split patterns of the mandibular ramus during SSRO were influenced by some anatomic features of the mandibular ramus. Therefore, examining the anatomy of the mandible with CBCT before surgery may play an important role in predicting the split patterns of the mandibular ramus during SSRO.

Genome-wide characterization of the cellulose synthase gene superfamily in Solanum lycopersicum.

The cellulose synthase gene superfamily, which includes the cellulose synthase (CesA) and cellulose synthase-like (Csl) gene families, plays a vital role in the biosynthesis of cellulose and hemicellulose in plants. However, these genes have not been extensively studied in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), a model for Solanaceae plants and for fleshy fruit development. Here, we identified and systematically analyzed 38 CesA/Csl family members that contained cellulose synthase domain regions, and categorized their encoded proteins into 6 subfamilies (CesA, CslA, CslB, CslD, CslE, and CslG) based on phylogenetic analysis. Most CesA/Csl genes from tomato are closely related to those from Arabidopsis, but the families have distinct features regarding gene structure, chromosome distribution and localization, phylogeny, and deduced protein sequence, indicating that they arose via different evolutionary process. Furthermore, expression analysis of CesA/Csl genes in different tissues at various developmental stages showed that most CesAs were constitutively expressed with differential expression levels in various organs; three CslD genes were expressed specifically in flowers, and four CesA and five Csl putative genes were preferentially expressed in fruits. Our results provide insight into the general characteristics of the CesA/Csl genes in tomato, and lay the foundation for further functional studies of CesA/Csl genes in tomato and other Solanaceae species.

[Determination of rare-earth and trace elements in teeth enamel by inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy].

Determination of rare earth and trace elements in teeth enamel was studied by inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy. The sample was completely dissolved by HNO3-H2O2. The range of precision is 0.50%-6.79% given by the relative standard deviation and the range of accuracy is 94.45%-104.78% obtained by measuring standard recovery rate. The above data satisfied completely the requirements of biological sample. While this study provides experimental data of rareearth and trace elements of teeth enamel for carious teeth and none carious teeth of human for prevention and cure of decayed tooth. A reasonable method is provided for mouth medicine research.

[Study of biomechanical properties of mucosa scars after cleft palate surgery].

OBJECTIVE: To explore biomechanical properties and stress-strain of mucosa scars after cleft palate surgery. METHODS: After the model of mucosa scars was made, the mucosa scars and normal mucosa were excised and examined immediately by tensionometry. RESULTS: The mucosa scars after cleft palate surgery were compared with normal mucosa. The Poisson's ratio of mucosa scars and normal mucosa was 0.5 and 0.49, respectively, showing no significant difference between the two groups. The ultimate Young's modulus of mucosa scars was about 24.22 MPa, however, it declined to 3.32 Mpa in normal mucosa. CONCLUSIONS: The mucosa scars after cleft palate surgery are biomechanically weaker than normal mucosa. It can be used for further research, such as maxillary orthognathic surgery, distraction osteogenesis, and orthodontic treatment.

[Estimation of N loss loading by runoff from paddy field during submersed period in Hangjiahu area].

As the largest bread basket in Zhejiang Province, Hangjiahu area is facing more and more serious water pollution, while the N loss loading by runoff from the paddy field during its submersed period is the main cause of the pollution. Through field experiment and fixed spot observation, the model of precipitation - runoff in Yangtze delta was testified, and the results showed that the precipitation - runoff model from HE Baogen was basically accorded with the fact after considering the impact of field overflow mouth, and the error was between - 19. 9% and + 18. 0%. The model of N concentration with precipitation - runoff in paddy field during submersed period was brought forward, with the R value being 0. 948. These two models consisted of the model of N loss loading by runoff from paddy field during submersed period. Based on this model as well as the past 30 years data of fertilization and precipitation, 1: 250,000 topography map, land use map, and water system map, the N loss loading and its distribution were estimated by using GIS method, and the results showed that the N loss loading was different from place to place, with an average of 35.26 kg N x hm(-2), and accounting for 12. 69% of the applied N. The N loss loading in Anji and Yuhang with obviously more precipitation was higher than that in other places, while Haining also had a serious N loss problem because of the huge amount of applied N.