[Effect of Mobile Health for Standardized Management on Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus].

Objective To explore the performance of mobile health platform for standardized management of pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM). Methods A randomized controlled trial was conducted,in which 295 women with GDM were randomized into two groups(traditional management group and mobile health management group)by a computer-generated sequence.The traditional management group accepted standardized GDM management,and the mobile health management group was supplemented by mobile health management based on the standardized management.The glycemic control rate and the incidences of low birth weight,macrosomia,preterm birth,premature rupture of membranes,postpartum hemorrhage after cesarean section,neonatal asphyxia,malformation,and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit were compared between the two groups. Results The glycemic control rate in mobile health management group was significantly higher than that in the traditional management group [(67.22±22.76)% vs.(60.69±21.28)%,P=0.004].The incidences of low birth weight,macrosomia,preterm birth,premature rupture of membranes,postpartum hemorrhage after cesarean section,neonatal asphyxia,malformation,and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit demonstrated no significant differences between groups(all P > 0.05). Conclusions Mobile health applied in standardized management is conducive to the glycemic control of GDM women,whereas it does not significantly improve the pregnancy outcomes.Due to the short time of intervention,the effects of mobile health on pregnancy outcomes need further study.

Interleukin-12 inhibits the hepatocellular carcinoma growth by inducing macrophage polarization to the M1-like phenotype through downregulation of Stat-3.

Hepatocellular carcinoma is the third most common cause of cancer death worldwide. Novel early detection biomarkers and efficacious therapy strategies are needed. Macrophages recruited from circulation monocytes are the major component of solid cancer and play an important role in the carcinogenesis. Whether overexpression of L-12 in monocytes could induce the phenotype directional differentiation into tumoricidal M1 macrophages and inhibit HCC growth in tumor microenvironment was investigated in this study. For the establishment of the monocyte/IL-12 and polarization of M1-like macrophage, the IL-12 overexpressing recombinant monocyte/IL-12 cells were established by infecting with pAd5F35-CMV/IL-12 adenovirus and co-cultured with HCC SMMC-7721 and Hep3B cells. It was found that the phenotype of monocyte/IL-12 polarized to M1-like macrophages with CD197high IL-12high CD206low IL-10low, and decreased expression of TGF-ß, VEGF-A, and MMP-9. In order to explore the mechanism underlying the macrophages polarization, we detected the Stat-3 pathway and its downstream transcription factor c-myc, and found that the p-Stat-3 and c-myc were down-regulated. To evaluate the effects of monocyte/IL-12 on inhibiting HCC growth, various assays including CCK8, flow cytometry, colony-forming and Transwell assays in vitro, and xenograft mouse models and immunohistochemical analyses in vivo were used to detect the HCC growth and relative markers. Treated with IL-12 overexpressing monocytes, the xenograft tumor growth was significantly inhibited in vivo. These results have proven that IL-12-overexpressed monocytes could directionally differentiate to M1-like macrophages through downregulation of Stat-3 and result in the inhibition of HCC growth.

Electron Donor Substances and Iron Oxides Stimulate Anaerobic Dechlorination of DDT in a Slurry System with Hydragric Acrisols.

The interactive effects between electron donor substances and iron (Fe) oxides have significant influence on electron transfer and the growth of Fe-reducing bacteria, which may affect the reductive dechlorination of 1,1,1-trichoro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDT) in soils. To evaluate the roles of volatile fatty acids and Fe(III) oxide in accelerating the reductive dechlorination of DDT in Hydragric Acrisols, a batch anaerobic incubation experiment was conducted in a slurry system with the following seven treatments: sterile soil, control (DDT-contaminated soil), lactic acid, propionic acid, goethite, lactic acid + goethite, and propionic acid + goethite. Results showed that after 20 d of incubation, DDT residues for these treatments decreased by 34, 65, 77, 81, 77, 90, and 92% of the initial quantities, respectively, with 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)-ethane as the dominant metabolite. The application of lactic acid had no significant effect on DDT dechlorination in the first 8 d while the methanogenesis rate increased quickly but accelerated DDT dechlorination after Day 8 while the methanogenesis rate decreased and Fe(II) contents increased. The application of propionic acid enhanced DDT dechlorination rates throughout the incubation. The amendment by goethite stimulated microbial reduction of Fe(III) oxides to generate Fe(II), which was an efficient electron donor, thus accelerating DDT dechlorination significantly in the early incubation period. A synergetic interaction that accelerated DDT dechlorination, either between lactic acid and goethite or between propionic acid and goethite, was obtained. The results will be of great significance to develop efficient in situ remediation technology of DDT-contaminated soil.

[Input Characteristics of Dry Deposition of Atmospheric Particulates and Metals in Farmland in the Suburb of Nanjing].

The dry deposition of heavy metals in atmospheric particulates is one of the important sources of heavy metals in agricultural areas, but there are few observational studies on the atmospheric deposition of heavy metals in agricultural areas. In this study, the concentrations of atmospheric particulates with different particle sizes and ten kinds of metal elements in them were analyzed by sampling a typical rice-wheat rotation area in the suburb of Nanjing for one year, and the dry deposition fluxes were estimated using the big leaf model, so as to understand the input characteristics of particulates and heavy metals. The results showed that the particulate concentrations and dry deposition fluxes were high in winter and spring but low in summer and autumn. In winter and spring, coarse particulates (2.1-9.0 µm) and fine particulates (<2.1 µm) had dual effects on particulate pollution, whereas in summer and autumn, particulate pollution was mainly attributed to the fine particulates. The concentrations of metal elements were the lowest in giant particulates (>9.0 µm) and were similar in coarse particulates and fine particulates, whereas Pb, Mn, As, and Cd elements were relatively high in fine particulates. The average annual dry deposition fluxes[g·(m2·a)-1] of particulates was giant particulates (8.31)>coarse particulates (5.99)>fine particulates (0.629). The order of average annual dry deposition fluxes[mg·(m2·a)-1] of the 10 metals was Ca(2096.4)>Al(1710.4)>Zn(855.0)>Fe(256.1)>Pb(40.35)>Cu(31.93)>V(26.21)>Mn(9.10)>As(2.48)>Cd(0.28). The average annual dry deposition fluxes of the 10 metal elements in fine particulates, coarse particulates, and giant particulates were 179.03, 2124.97, and 2724.18 mg·(m2·a)-1, respectively. These results will provide a reference for a more comprehensive understanding of the impact of human activities on the quality and safety of agricultural products and soil ecological environment.

[Mechanism of manganese binding to leaf cell wall of Phytolacca americana L].

Phytolacca americana L. (P. americana) is a manganese (Mn) hyperaccumulator and cell wall plays an important role in the accumulation and detoxicity of Mn. We studied the impact of pH and Mn initial concentration on the binding of Mn by the leaf cell wall of P. americana, and explored the binding mechanisms by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and synchrotron-based X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (XAFS) Spectroscopy. The results show that the optimum pH of Mn bingding for the leaf cell wall is between 5 and 6. The adsorption behavior of leaf cell wall can be described by Langmuir equation (R2 = 0.978 5) and the maximum adsorption of Mn on the leaf cell wall is 62.50 µmol x g(-1). Hydronyl and carbonyl groups are involved in the binding of Mn on the leaf cell wall. The Mn absorbed on the leaf cell wall is bonded by 6.3 oxygen around, and the bond length of Mn-O is 0.216 nm, which indicates the binding mechasnism of Mn to cell wall was inner-sphere complexation.

[Combined stress of enhanced UV-B radiation and 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene contamination on the growth of green vegetable].

A pot experiment was conducted to study the effects of UV-B radiation enhancement alone, 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene (TCB) contamination soil alone, and the combined stress on the growing process, stomatal resistance and leaf structure of green vegetable. The results showed that 1,2,4-TCB contamination alone had more significant inhibitory effect on the growth of green vegetable than the combined stress. Both UV-B radiation enhancement and 1,2,4-TCB contamination reduced the stomatal resistance of front and reverse leaves. Enhanced UV-B radiation resulted in the albino of leaves. 1,2,4-TCB contamination resulted in the fading of leaf color and the appearing of black spots on leaf surfaces, and the enhanced UV-B radiation strengthened the black-spot symptom. In conclusion, the effects of UV-B radiation enhancement alone, 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene (TCB) contamination soil alone and the combined stress on the growth indicators of green vegetable were different.

[Influence of the interaction between iron oxide and electron donor substances on 1,1,1-trichloro- 2, 2-bis (p-chlorophenyl) ethane ( DDT) reductive dechlorination in hydragric acrisols].

The interaction between iron oxide and electron donor substance have significant influences on electron transfer and the growth of iron-reducing bacteria, which may affect the reductive dechlorination of polychlorinated organic compounds in soil. Anaerobic soil incubation experiment was conducted to study the effect and its mechanism of iron oxide (goethite), electron donor substances (butyrate and ethanol), and their interaction on DDT reductive dechlorination in Hydragric Acrisols. Results showed that after 6 weeks of anaerobic incubation, the extractable residues of DDT were between 1.29% and 2.01% of initial DDT amounts in soils, which was attributed to the dechlorinated degradation of DDT and formation of bound residues of DDT and its dechlorinated products. The main product of DDT anaerobic dechlorination was 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis (p-chloro-phenyl) ethane (DDD). During the prophase of incubation, the application of butyrate or ethanol led to the decreased pH and increased Eh for reaction system, thus inhibited DDT dechlorination. The applications of only goethite or goethite and electron donor substances resulted in the increased soil pH, decreased soil Eh and increased Fe( II ) contents, thus accelerated DDT dechlorination. There was no significant interaction between butyrate and iron oxide on DDT dechlorination, whereas there was antagonistic action between ethanol and iron oxide on DDT dechlorination. The results will be of great significance for developing efficient and in-situ remediation technology of DDT contaminated soil.

ZD 7288, an HCN channel blocker, attenuates chronic visceral pain in irritable bowel syndrome-like rats.

AIM: To investigate the effects of ZD 7288, a hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channel blocker, on rats with chronic visceral pain. METHODS: Rats with visceral hypersensitivity were generated using neonatal colon irritation during postnatal days 8-15 as described previously. Visceral hypersensitivity was evaluated using electromyographic (EMG) responses of abdominal external oblique muscles to 20-80 mmHg colorectal distentions (CRD). Abdominal withdrawal reflex (AWR) scores and pain thresholds were also detected in adult rats. Different doses of ZD 7288 (25, 50, and 100 nmol/L) were intrathecally administered in rats to study the role of spinal HCN channel in chronic visceral hypersensitivity. RESULTS: EMG responses to 20-80 mmHg CRD and AWR scores under 20-60 mmHg CRD significantly increased in rats with visceral hypersensitivity compared to control rats (P < 0.05). The pain threshold in rats with visceral hypersensitivity significantly decreased compared to control rats (P < 0.05). Treatment with 50-100 nmol/L ZD 7288 significantly inhibited EMG responses (16%-62%, 80-20 mmHg CRD, P < 0.05) and AWR scores (24%-37%, 40-20 mmHg CRD, P < 0.05; 12%-61%, 80-20 mmHg CRD, P < 0.05, respectively), and significantly increased pain thresholds (32%-77%, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Spinal HCN channels may play an important role in chronic visceral hypersensitivity.

[Effect of composting organic fertilizer supplies on hexachlorobenzene dechlorination in paddy soils].

A rice pot experiment was conducted in two soils, Hydragric Acrisols (Ac) and Gleyi-Stagnic Anthrosols (An). Three treatments including control and additions of 1% or 2% composting organic fertilizer were designed for each soil. The objective of this research was to evaluate the reductive dechlorination of hexachlorobenzene (HCB) as affected by organic fertilizer supplies in planted paddy soils, and to analyze the relationship between methane production and HCB dechlorination. The results showed that the HCB residues were decreased by 28.6%-30.1% of the initial amounts in Ac, and 47.3% -61.0% in An after 18 weeks of experiment. The amount of HCB and its metabolite uptake by rice plants was only a few thousandths of the initial HCB amount in soils. The main product of HCB dechlorination was pentachlorobenzene (PeCB). The rates of HCB dechlorination in An were higher than those in Ac, which was mainly attributed to the higher pH and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) content of An. The applications of both 1% and 2% composting organic fertilizer showed significant inhibition on PeCB production after the 6th and 10th week in Ac and An, respectively. In both tested soils, no significant difference of PeCB production rates was observed between the applications of 1% and 2% composting organic fertilizer. The role of methanogenic bacteria in HCB dechlorination was condition-dependent.

[Preliminary analysis of manganese uptake mechanism in the hyperaccumulator Phytolacca americana L].

Phytolacca americana L. (P. americana) is a manganese (Mn) hyperaccumulator plant discovered in southern China, and knowledge of Mn uptake characteristics and mechanisms on this plant may provide essential and critical information for phytoremediation. Synchrotron radiation X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (SRXRF) microprobe was empolyed in this study to explore the Mn distribution in the root cross-section of P. americana, and effects of metabolic inhibitors (DNP and Na3VO4) and Ca-channel inhibitor (LaCl3) on Mn uptake of P. americana was also investigated under laboratory conditions. Results showed that P. americana has strong abilities for absorpting and accumulating Mn, and the Mn concentration in root, stem, and leaf of P. americana may reach up to 402, 208, and 601 mg x kg(-1) DW, respectively, even only treated with 5 micromol x L(-1) Mn. The highest Mn content can be found in the vascular bundle of root, and then the epidermis, while the lowest Mn content can be observed in the cortex. The Mn content increased when shifted from cortex to vascular bundle, indicating that there was an active transportation in Mn absorption of P. americana root, and the inhibitory effect of DNP and Na3VO4 on Mn uptake further verified the possibilities of active absorption. The Mn uptake was inhibited by 30% with LaCl3, suggesting that Mn uptake in P. americana also closely related to the Ca-channel.

[Evaluation of bioavailability of hexachlorobenzene and pentachlorobenzene to rice roots in soils by accelerated solvent extraction].

A pot experiment was conducted in greenhouse in two types of soils, Hydragric Acrisols (Ac) and Gleyi-Stagnic Anthrosols (An). Three treatments as control and the additions of 1% and 2% organic fertilizer were designed in each type of soil. The objective of this study was to evaluate the accumulation abilities of hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and its predominant metabolite of pentachlorobenzene (PeCB) by rice roots, and to compare the correlation between HCB or PeCB concentrations in rice roots and in soils extracted by four extraction solvents (hexane/acetone = 3/1(V/V), ethanol, hexane, water) to evaluate the bioavailability of HCB and PeCB to rice roots. The results showed that the mean concentrations of HCB in rice roots for Ac and An were 364.1 and 306.0 ng/g, respectively, while PeCB were 12.7 and 28.7 ng/g, respectively, which was due to the higher degradation rates of HCB in An than in Ac. Both the applications of 1% and 2% organic fertilizer inhibited HCB degradation, so as to decrease PeCB concentrations in rice roots either in Ac or An. The orders of correlation coefficient of both HCB and PeCB concentrations in rice roots and in soils extracted by four extraction solvents were ethanol > hexane/acetone > hexane > water, which indicated that ethanol was the best extraction solvent of soils to evaluate the bioavailability of HCB and PeCB to rice roots. Only the HCB concentrations in soils extracted by ethanol were significantly positive correlated with the HCB concentrations in rice roots. And the PeCB concentrations in soils extracted by all solvents except for water were significantly positive correlated with the PeCB concentrations in rice roots. Our results suggested that it was feasible to evaluate the bioavailability of HCB and PeCB to rice roots using accelerated solvent extraction by choosing proper extraction solvent.

[Effect of low-molecular-weight organic carbon on anaerobic degradation and volatilization of hexachlorobenzene in soils].

Batch incubation experiments in aid of anaerobic incubation flask were conducted to study the anaerobic degradation and volatilization of hexachlorobenzene (HCB), the change of pH in soil, the emission of CH4 and CO2, and the volatilization of HCB in the Hydragric Acrisol and Gleyi-Stagnic Anthrosol added with acetic acid, glucose and citric acid. Results showed that HCB was reduced by 20%-44% in Hydragric Acrisol during 8 weeks, and addition of acetic acid inhibited the dechlorination, indicating that dechlorination was impeded at low pH. Addition of glucose or citric acid decreased the dechlorination rate initially and then increased it. HCB was reduced by 21%-23% in Gleyi-Stagnic Anthrosol, and there was no obvious effect by adding low-molecular-weight organic carbon. The main product of HCB anaerobic dechlorination was pentachlorobenzene (PCB), which were 23-96 microg/kg and 64-92 microg/kg in Hydragric Acrisol and Gleyi-Stagnic Anthrosol respectively. Furthermore, the degradation of HCB had no statistically significant correlation with the productions of CH4 and CO2. Addition of low-molecular-weight organic carbon reduced HCB volatilization, which was stronger in Hydragric Acrisol than in Gleyi-Stagnic Anthrosol, indicating that soil organic matter was an important factor in HCB volatilization.