Cichorium intybus L. is a potential Cd-accumulator for phytoremediation of agricultural soil with strong tolerance and detoxification to Cd.

Identifying suitable plants for phytoremediation of Cd (cadmium) contaminated agricultural soil is critical. In this study, whether chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) qualified as an ideal accumulator for phytoremediation was investigated. The hydroponic and pot experiments showed that Cd concentration in chicory leaves exceeded 100 mg kg-1 (BCF >1, TF >1) with 40 mg kg-1 Cd in pot; No significant effects on chicory growth, leaf protein and physiological and biochemical aspects when treated with ≤ 20 µM or 40 mg kg-1 Cd, because chicory could relieve Cd toxicity by increasing activities of photoprotection mechanisms, the reactive oxygen species scavenging system and concentrations of functional groups in plant tissues. In field experiment, 16.2 and 26.6 t ha-1 of chicory leaves was harvested in winter and summer, respectively. The highest Cd concentration in leaves was close to 25.0 mg kg-1 (BCF >1, TF >1) from the acid soil with 0.980 mg kg-1 Cd. Over 320 g ha-1 Cd was extracted from soil by harvesting chicory leaves both in winter and summer, with 9.24% and 12.9% of theoretical phytoremediation efficiency. Therefore, chicory can be as an ideal Cd-accumulator for phytoremediation of slight-to-moderate Cd-contaminated agricultural soil in any season.

A rice-chicory rotation pattern ensures safe grain production and phytoremediation of cadmium-contaminated paddy fields: A four-year field experiment in southern China.

Cadmium (Cd) contamination in paddy systems is a serious problem, and a strategy must be devised that ensures safe grain production and rapid remediation of soil Cd contamination. To investigate the remediation potential of crop rotation and its effect on Cd accumulation in rice, a four-year (seven-season) rice-chicory rotation field trial was conducted on a moderately acidic Cd-contaminated paddy soil. Rice was planted in summers, followed by straw removal, and chicory, a Cd-enrichment plant, was planted during winter fallows. Rotation effects were compared with those with rice only (control). Rice yields between the rotation and control were not significantly different, whereas Cd concentrations in rice tissues decreased in the rotation. Cd concentration in brown rice of the low-Cd variety decreased to less than 0.2 mg/kg (national food safety standard) from the third season onward, whereas in the high-Cd variety, it decreased from 0.43 mg/kg in the first season to 0.24 mg/kg in the fourth season. The highest Cd concentration in chicory aboveground parts was 24.47 mg/kg, with an enrichment factor of 27.81. Chicory had high regenerative capacity and was repeatedly harvested for biomass in multiple mowings, with average aboveground biomass over 2000 kg/ha in a single mowing. Theoretical phytoextraction efficiency (TPE) of one rice season with straw removal was 0.84%-2.44%, whereas the highest TPE of one chicory season reached 8.07%. The seven seasons of rice-chicory rotation extracted up to 407 g/ha Cd from soil with a TPE exceeding 20%. Therefore, rice-chicory rotation and straw removal can effectively reduce Cd accumulation in subsequent rice crops, without interrupting production and simultaneously rapidly remediating Cd-contaminated soil. Thus, the production potential of light to moderately Cd-contaminated paddy fields can be realized with crop rotation.

[Repair of the finger proximal and middle segment soft tissue defect with flap transplantation].

OBJECTIVE: To summarize and analyze the surgical methods and therapeutic effects of repair of the finger proximal and middle segment soft tissue defect with three different types of skin flaps. METHODS: From May 2011 to May 2015, 102 patients with 115 fingers proximal and middle segment soft tissue defect underwent reconstruction with three different types of skin flaps. There were 59 males with 70 fingers and 43 females with 45 fingers, aged from 19 to 62 years old with an average of 45.6 years. Twenty-nine patients with 29 fingers were repaired by free peroneal artery perforator flaps, 35 patients with 37 fingers were repaired by the free vascularized flaps based on the wrist cutaneous branch of ulnar artery, 38 patients with 49 fingers were repaired by metacarpal dorsal artery perforator flaps. The soft tissue defect area varied from 1.8 cm×4.0 cm to 2.8 cm×5.4 cm. The flap area varied from 2.0 cm×4.4 cm to 3.1 cm×6.0 cm. The clinical results were evaluated based on flap survival rate, finger function and complications. RESULTS: All flaps survived. Distal skin flap necrosis occurred in 5 flaps, but healed after wound dressing therapy. No deep infection were found in donor site and recipient site. There were 3 cases with partial necrosis of the skin graft, and delayed healing after wound dressing therapy. All patients were followed up from 6 to 28 months with an average of 10.6 months. The appearance and texture of flaps were well. The sensation were good, two-point discrimination was 9 to 13 mm. There were no obvious dysfunction happened in the donor site. The function of the fingers was excellent in 52 cases, good in 41, fair in 9 cases. CONCLUSIONS: About the repair of the finger proximal and middle segment soft tissue defect, the right flap should be choosen based on the difference of the sex and the age in patients, wounds situation, the master degree of the operation method and the hospital's technical conditions.