Primary tissues may affect estimates of cavitation resistance in ferns.

Different methods of measuring cavitation resistance in fern petioles lead to variable results, particularly with respect to the P50 metric. We hypothesised that the fern dictyostele structure affects air entry into the xylem, and therefore impacts the shape of the vulnerability curve. Our study examined this variation by comparing vulnerability curves constructed on petioles collected from evergreen and deciduous ferns in the field, with curves generated using the standard centrifuge, air-injection and bench-top dehydration methods. Additional experiments complemented the vulnerability curves to better understand how anatomy shapes estimates of cavitation resistance. Centrifugation and radial air injection generated acceptable vulnerability curves for the deciduous species, but overestimated drought resistance in the two evergreen ferns. In these hardy plants, axial air injection and bench-top dehydration produced results that most closely aligned with observations in nature. Additional experiments revealed that the dictyostele anatomy impedes air entry into the xylem during spinning and radial air injection. Each method produced acceptable vulnerability curves, depending on the species being tested. Therefore, we stress the importance of validating the curves with in situ measures of water potential and, if possible, hydraulic data to generate realistic results with any of the methods currently available.

Graphene oxide affects growth and physiological indexes in Larix olgensis seedlings and the soil properties of Haplic Cambisols in Northeast China.

Changbai larch (Larix olgensis A. Henry) seedlings growing in a Haplic Cambisol and receiving 0 (Ck), 25, 50, 100, 250, or 500 mg L-1 graphene oxide (GO) were incubated for 30, 40, or 50 days, and the effects of applying GO on the growth and physiological characteristics of the seedlings and soil chemical properties and enzyme activities were investigated. The superoxide anion (except for 25 mg L-1 at 40 days and 50 mg L-1 at 50 days) and hydrogen peroxide contents of the leaves increased at 25-100 mg L-1 GO; however, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) (except for 100 mg L-1 at 50 days) activities, soluble protein (except for 100 mg L-1 at 30 and 40 days), proline (except for 100 mg L-1 at 50 days), as well as seedling biomass (except for stems at 25-100 mg L-1, and leaves and roots at 50-100 mg L-1 for 30 days) all decreased. However, when the seedlings were exposed to 250-500 mg L-1 GO, especially at 40 and 50 days, these trends for tree growth and physiological parameters were reversed, suggesting the beneficial effect of GO at high concentrations on the seedlings. GO decreased the organic matter, alkali-hydrolyzale nitrogen, available phosphorus, and potassium contents of the soil at 40 and 50 days (except for available phosphorus at 50 days), as well as the acid phosphatase, urease (except for 30 days), dehydrogenase, and catalase activities (except for 30 and 40 days); thus, GO may inhibit nitrogen and phosphorus cycling in Haplic Cambisols (except for nitrogen at 30 days).

Exogenous succinic acid mediates responses of Larix olgensis A. Henry to cadmium stress.

Trace metal contamination of soil is an increasing problem. Organic acid application can restore trace metal elements such as cadmium (Cd) in contaminated soil. Changbai larch (Larix olgensis A. Henry) is an economically important forestry species in northeast China; however, growth is inhibited by severe Cd contamination. We investigated the effects of different concentrations of exogenous succinic acid (SA) on Cd tolerance and physiological and morphological toxicity in L. olgensis seedlings. Seedlings were planted in pots containing Cd-contaminated or uncontaminated Haplic Cambisol. Seedlings in Cd-contaminated soil were treated daily with SA solution at 0, 0.04, 0.2, 1.0, and 2.0 mmol kg-1 of soil for 10, 20 or 30 days. Cd treatment induced seedling damage and significantly increased the relative conductivity and malondialdehyde content of the leaves, inhibiting soluble protein and proline contents, superoxide dismutase and peroxidase activity, chlorophyl fluorescence and pigment content. Decreases in the length, surface area, volume of roots and leaves, and specific root length were also observed. Effects increased in control plants with time. SA treatment also reduced the Cd content of the fine roots and leaves and Mg, K, and Ca contents. Moreover, plant growth was significantly promoted and damage was reversed, especially at 5.0 and 10.0 mmol L-1 SA for 30 days. SA therefore alleviated Cd-induced injury, improving tolerance to Cd stress. SA application combined with afforestation could therefore help restore Cd-contaminated soil in northeast China. Further studies aimed at determining the detoxification mechanism of L. olgensis seedlings are now required.

The "extracapsular cystic" sign in pancreatic serous cystic neoplasms: A clinicopathologic study of 177 patients with cystic pancreatic lesions.

OBJECTIVE: To assess a new imaging feature that we have named the extracapsular cystic sign which can make a constructive contribution towards differentiating serous cystic neoplasms (SCNs) from other pancreatic cystic lesions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 177 CTs/MRIs of patients who underwent pancreatic resection of cystic lesions at two institutions from January 2011/2013, to September 2017. For each patient, demographic information, clinical presentation, especially imaging features were carefully investigated by two experienced abdominal radiologists, retrospectively. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS V.23.0. RESULTS: Twenty-one lesions had extracapsular cystic signs which were newly discovered, 17 (28.3%) of 60 SCNs and 4 (3.4%) (mucinous cystic neoplasm = 1, walled-off necrosis = 2, retention cyst = 1) of 117 Non-SCNs were included, from which indicating that the extracapsular cystic sign was more often detected on SCNs. As for 21 lesions, 86% (n = 18) were females, and mean age at diagnosis was 51.2 years. 71% (n = 15) located in the pancreatic body and tail. Average size was 27.2 mm (23.7-53.4), mean (SD) ratio of biggest daughter cyst to mother cyst was 0.51[0.14] (p = 0.99), average (SD) angle between two of them was 105.5° [14.9] (p = 0.84). The average time interval between last imaging examination and surgery was 8.4 days. CONCLUSIONS: The new sign named the extracapsular cystic sign in SCNs may help differentiate SCNs from other pancreatic cystic lesions. Furthermore, this study supports an original diagnosis for SCNs when the sign of extracapsular cyst appears.

Procyanidin B2 mitigates behavioral impairment and protects myelin integrity in cuprizone-induced schizophrenia in mice.

Numerous studies have suggested that neuropathological changes in schizophrenia may be related to damage to white matter or demyelination. Procyanidin B2, which is a constituent of many fruits such as grapes and strawberries, has various biological activities such as anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor activity, as has been reported. This study aimed to estimate the effects of procyanidin B2 on behavioral impairment and the protection of myelin integrity in a cuprizone-induced schizophrenia model. Mice were exposed to cuprizone (0.2% w/w in chow) for five weeks to induce schizophrenia-like behavioral changes and demyelination. Procyanidin B2 (20 or 100 mg kg-1 day-1) or vehicle was administered orally to mice after withdrawal from cuprizone. Behavioral impairment was detected with an open-field test, a rotarod test and a Morris water maze. Myelin integrity was assessed using LFB staining and MBP expression, including immunofluorescence and western blotting. In addition, enhancements in the expression of HO-1 and NQO1 suggested that procyanidin B2 may regulate oxidative homeostasis via promoting the translation of Nrf2 to the nucleus. Data indicated that procyanidin B2 could mitigate behavioral impairment and protect myelin integrity in the cuprizone-induced model via regulating oxidative stress by activating Nrf2 signaling.

Effects of exogenous organic acids on the resistance of Changbai larch (Larix olgensis) seedlings to mixed Pb and Cd stress.

Mixed Pb and Cd soil contamination is an issue in Northeast China. We examined the effects of exogenous organic acids on the resilience of Changbai larch (Larix olgensis) seedlings, a pioneering forestry species in afforestation and vegetation restoration in Northeast China, under such stress. Mixed Pb and Cd stress led to significantly higher Pb and Cd content in the leaves and fine roots, malondialdehyde content in the leaves, superoxide dismutase activity, and soluble protein content in the leaves. Lower biomass of the roots, stems, and leaves was observed, with the roots showing the sharpest reduction in biomass. However, the application of organic acids mitigated or reversed these effects. This was most pronounced following treatment with 0.2 mmol·L-1 or 1.0 mmol·L-1 organic acids for 20 days. Citric acid had the greatest positive effect compared with succinic acid and oxalic acid. We suggest that exogenous organic acids have the potential to alleviate Pb and Cd-induced oxidation injury symptoms in Changbai larch seedlings, and may enhance resilience to mixed Pb and Cd stress.

Apigenin exhibits protective effects in a mouse model of d-galactose-induced aging via activating the Nrf2 pathway.

The aim of the present research was to study the protective effects and underlying mechanisms of apigenin on d-galactose-induced aging mice. Firstly, apigenin exhibited a potent antioxidant activity in vitro. Secondly, d-galactose was administered by subcutaneous injection once daily for 8 weeks to establish an aging mouse model to investigate the protective effect of apigenin. We found that apigenin supplementation significantly ameliorated aging-related changes such as behavioral impairment, decreased organic index, histopathological injury, increased senescence-associated ß-galactosidase (SAß-gal) activity and advanced glycation end product (AGE) level. Further data showed that apigenin facilitated Nrf2 nuclear translocation both in aging mice and normal young mice, and the Nrf2 expression of normal young mice was higher than that of natural senile mice. In addition, the expressions of Nrf2 downstream gene targets, including HO-1 and NQO1, were also promoted by apigenin administration. Moreover, apigenin also decreased the MDA level and elevated SOD and CAT activities. In conclusion, focusing on the Nrf2 pathway is a suitable strategy to delay the aging process, and apigenin may exert an anti-senescent effect process via activating the Nrf2 pathway.

Myricetin alleviates cuprizone-induced behavioral dysfunction and demyelination in mice by Nrf2 pathway.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease occurring in the central nervous system. In the present study, we evaluated the function of myricetin on the alleviation of behavioral dysfunction and myelin protection in the cuprizone-induced demyelination model. Mice were daily fed with fodder including 0.2% cuprizone and were administrated myricetin (100 mg kg-1) by gavage administration for 5 weeks. The treatment of myricetin ameliorated hyper-locomotion and behavior impairment induced by cuprizone toxicity. With the administration of myricetin, the demyelinating lesion was lessened via increasing the LFB staining area and myelin phosphatide protein (MBP) expression. In addition, myricetin evidently promoted Nrf2 translocation in the nuclear fraction and enhanced the HO-1 and NQO1 expression levels. Our data revealed that myricetin may be a potential candidate for mitigating motor defects and demyelination in a cuprizone-induced mouse model via activating the Nrf2 pathway.

Fucoidan from Undaria pinnatifida prevents vascular dysfunction through PI3K/Akt/eNOS-dependent mechanisms in the l-NAME-induced hypertensive rat model.

Despite major scientific advances in its prevention, treatment and care, hypertension remains a serious condition that might lead to long-term complications such as heart disease and stroke. The great majority of forms of hypertension eventually result from an increased vasomotor tone activity that is regulated by endothelial NOS (eNOS) in vascular endothelium. Here, we examined the effect of fucoidan on eNOS activation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). We also examined the effects of functional components of Undaria pinnatifida fucoidan on blood pressure and vascular function in eNOS inhibition-induced hypertensive rats in vivo. Our results suggest that fucoidan increased nitric oxide production by activating eNOS and Akt phosphorylation, which could be impaired by Akt or eNOS inhibitors. In the hypertensive rat model, treatment of fucoidan resulted in potent and persistent reduction of high blood pressure (BP) even after drug withdrawal. Our results showed that the mechanisms might involve protection against vascular structure damage, enhanced endothelium-independent vascular function and inhibition of abnormal proliferation of smooth muscle cells, which are mediated by the Akt-eNOS signaling pathway. Moreover, fucoidan treatment reduced the vascular inflammation and oxidative stress control caused by iNOS expression. Together, these results support a putative role of fucoidan in hypertension prevention and treatment.

Chronic alcohol intake-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis: role of CYP2E1 and calpain-1 in alcoholic cardiomyopathy.

Cytochrome P-450 2E1 CYP2E1 induction has been linked to oxidative stress in a number of experimental models. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between CYP2E1 activity and markers of oxidative stress and cardiac cell apoptosis during the development of alcoholic cardiomyopathy (ACM). Changes in left ventricular morphology were evaluated in 4 groups of chronically instrumented dogs (control; alcohol-receiving; and alcohol-receiving plus treatment with either valsartan or carnitine) after 6 months of treatment. CYP2E1 and calpain-1 protein expression were determined by Western blotting, and apoptosis evaluated by TUNEL and immunohistochemistry. Malonyl dialdehyde levels were assessed as a marker of oxidative stress, while superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase levels were evaluated as markers of antioxidant defense mechanisms. Expression of CYP2E1 was increased in the alcohol-receiving group compared with controls (P<0.05) and was associated with oxidative stress. Similarly, expression of Bad and calpain-1 protein was increased after chronic alcohol exposure, while Bcl-xL protein expression remained at a low level. Bad and calpain-1 protein expressions were significantly inhibited by treatment with valsartan or carnitine, while expression of Bcl-xL protein was increased (P<0.05). Collectively, our results indicate a possibly significant role for CYP2E1 in the oxidative stress associated with chronic alcoholism. The resulting increase in oxidative stress is accompanied by cellular apoptosis and may ultimately contribute to tissue remodeling and ACM. Importantly, these alcohol-induced effects may be abrogated by means such as angiotensin 1 receptor blockade or carnitine supplementation.

[Roles of PYK2 and caveolin-1 in alcoholic cardiomyopathy and the effect of drug intervention].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the protein expressions of PYK2 (protein-rich tyrosine kinase-2) and caveolin-1 in alcoholic cardiomyopathy (ACM) dog model and the effect of early drug intervention. METHODS: A total of 28 adult dogs were randomly divided into 4 groups: (i): alcohol-fed; (ii): alcohol plus valsartan, an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB); (iii): alcohol plus carnitine; (iv): control group. At Month 6, the cardiac functions of all animals were evaluated by echocardiography. The concentrations of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in cardiac tissue were detected by chronometry. The protein expressions of collagen types I and III were determined by ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) while those of PYK2 and caveolin-1 evaluated by immunohistochemistry. The internal relationship of PYK2, caveolin-1, MDA and collagen types I & III was analyzed. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the contents of SOD and GSH-Px significantly decreased in the alcohol, valsartan and carnitine groups while MDA significantly increased in the alcohol and carnitine groups. The relative contents in each group were as follows: MDA [alcohol: (28 ± 5) U/mg Pro; valsartan: (33 ± 13) U/mg Pro; carnitine: (33 ± 10) U/mg Pro], GSH-Px [alcohol: (188 ± 37) U/g Pro; valsartan: (362 ± 29) U/g Pro; carnitine: (282 ± 29) U/g Pro and MDA [alcohol: (19.4 ± 3.0) nmol/mg Pro; carnitine: (10.8 ± 2.1) nmol/mg Pro]. Compared with the control group, the concentration of collagen typeI significantly increased in the alcohol, valsartan and carnitine groups. In the alcohol-fed group, the protein expression of PYK2 gradually increased with the progression of ACM while that of caveolin-1 stayed at a low level. Through the interventions of valsartan and carnitine, the protein expression of PYK2 significantly increased while that of caveolin-1 significantly decreased (all P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Alcohol promotes the myocardial oxidative stress and fibrosis through an elevated expression of PYK2 and a lowered expression of caveolin-1. Then a deterioration of cardiac structures and functions occur.

[Effect of valsartan and carnitine on cardiomyocyte Calpain-1 and Bcl-xl expressions of dogs with chronic alcohol intake-induced cardiomyopathy].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of valsartan and carnitine on cardiomyocyte Calpain-1 and Bcl-xl expressions of dogs with chronic alcohol intake-induced cardiomyopathy. METHODS: Dogs were randomly assigned into 4 groups (n = 7 each): (1) alcohol fed (free access to 5%, 1(st) week; 10% 2(nd) week; 500 ml 25% bolus plus free access to 5% from 3 to 24 weeks, A); (2) alcohol + valsartan (5 mg×kg(-1)×d(-1), B); (3) alcohol + carnitine (300 mg×kg(-1)×d(-1), C); (4) Control (D). After six months, all animals were assessed for left ventricular (LV) function by echocardiography. The Bad and Bcl-xl protein expressions were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. The expression of Calpain-1 protein was determined with Western blot. Myocardial morphology was quantified on HE stained slices and under electron microscopy. The terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick end-labeling (TUNEL) was performed for apoptosis analysis. RESULTS: Compared with group D, LVEDD and LVESD were significantly increased while EF and FS significantly decreased in group A. In alcohol fed group, expressions of Bad and Calpain-1 protein were significantly increased while Bcl-xl protein expression was downregulated, all changes could be significantly attenuated by intervention with valsartan and carnitine (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: These data suggest that alcohol could promote cardiac myocyte apoptosis, reduce cardiac function and aggravate myocardial remodeling which valsartan and carnitine could reduce alcoholic cardiomyopathy by downregulating Calpain-1 and Bad protein expression and upregulating expression of Bcl-xl protein.

Tenascin-x facilitates myocardial fibrosis and cardiac remodeling through transforming growth factor-ß1 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ in alcoholic cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: Tenascin-x, an extracellular matrix glycoprotein exclusively expressed in fibroblasts, can mediate fibrosis in the presence of collagen. Therefore, we have investigated its potential role in facilitating myocardial fibrosis and cardiac remodeling via the transforming growth factor-ß1 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (TGFß(1)-PPARγ) pathway in alcoholic cardiomyopathy (ACM). METHODS: Experimental animals were divided into control (group A) and tenascin-x knock-out groups (group B) receiving alcohol. Six months post treatment, cardiac ejections fraction (EF), fractional shortening (FS), left ventricle end-diastole internal diameter (LVEDd) and collagen column fraction (CVF) were observed. Tenascin-x, smad-3, TGFß(1), smad-7 and PPARγ protein expression levels were detected by Western blotting. RESULTS: Six months post treatment, EF and FS values were higher in group B than in group A (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively), while LVEDd and CVF were lower in group B (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). Tenascin-x, smad-3 and TGFß(1) protein expression levels were higher in group A, while smad-7 and PPARγ levels were lower than in group B (P < 0.01), as measured by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. Tenascin-x protein expression was negatively correlated with EF, FS, smad-7 and PPARγ, and positively correlated with LVEDd, CVF, smad-3, and TGFß(1) (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Tenascin-x is an initiator of myocardial fibrosis and ACM development via upregulation of TGFß(1) and downregulation of PPARγ.

Carnitine regulates myocardial metabolism by Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-alpha (PPARalpha) in alcoholic cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: Chronic alcohol intake exerts myocardial damage en route to the development of alcoholic cardiomyopathy (ACM), although the precise pathogenesis of ACM is unknown. Carnitine is known to participate in the regulation of metabolism in a number of heart diseases. This study was designed to examine the interplay between myocardial metabolism and carnitine in the development of ACM. MATERIAL/METHODS: Experimental animals were divided into 3 groups: (i) group A: alcohol-fed. (ii) group B: alcohol/carnitine: (200mg/kg/d, p.o. by mixing carnitine in rat chow). (iii) group C: control. Blood levels of free fatty acid (FFA), total carnitine (TC) and free carnitine (FC) were monitored in rats receiving alcohol with or without carnitine. Mitochondrial adenine nucleotide translocator-1 (ANT1) activity, ATPase activity, high energy phosphate concentration, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPARα), carnitine-palmitoyl transferase I (CPT-I), medium-chain acyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase (MCAD), ANT1 and ATPase mRNA and protein expression were also monitored in myocardial tissue. RESULTS: Experimental animals received alcohol with or without carnitine for six 6 months. Our results indicated that FFA increased abruptly. TC and FC were significantly decreased in groups receiving alcohol at 4 months. The concentration of ATP, ADP and AMP in the myocardium decreased following 2 months of alcohol administration. mRNA and protein expression of PPARα, CPT-I, MCAD, ANT1 and ATPase expressions were gradually altered in groups following alcohol feeding. CONCLUSIONS: These observations suggest that abnormal metabolism is present in the myocardium during the development of ACM. Carnitine may improve myocardial metabolism by elevating the content of PPARα, CPT-I and MCAD.

[Current trends in emergency triage in Taiwan: the five-level triage system].

An ideal triage system should accurately and quickly sort patients according to seriousness of diseases, and ensure that patients in emergency departments (EDs) get adequate management in an appropriate medical environment. Recently, EDs throughout the world have been confronting overcrowding, and are developing a five-level triage system to solve the problems that this presents. Taiwan EDs have used the Taiwan triage system (TTS) since 1999 until recently. In order to follow the trend of the times, EDs in Taiwan adjusted the four-level TTS to a five-level system, and built a computer system which is reliable and effective. This article reviews the literature about emergency triage systems, and describes the differences between the four-level and five-level systems, exploring the reliability, effectiveness, and outcomes of triage systems. Taiwan nurses might treat this article as a basis for reflection on the importance of the five-level triage system.

[Family satisfaction with systematic nursing instructions in a pediatric emergency department].

This study aimed to evaluate satisfaction with systematic nursing instructions among family members of pediatric emergency patients and to determine the degree to which family members complied with instructions provided. All subjects recruited were from a single medical center. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Written systematic nursing instructions were given to patient family members, supplemented by verbal interpretation. Family members were then contacted by telephone at 24 and 72 hours, respectively, after emergency department (ED) discharge. Questionnaires were completed and mailed back to the hospital within 72 hours. The 362 valid responses returned out of 700 questionnaires dispensed represented a response rate of 51.7%. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, one-way ANOVA and Scheffe's test. Main study findings included: (1) Family member satisfaction with systematic nursing instructions was 83.8%; (2) Families with higher educational levels had higher expectations in terms of health education and were less satisfied with instructions provided; and (3) 61.4% of participants reported symptom relief after following systematic nursing instructions and, as a result, did not need to return for further clinical help. Results demonstrate that systematic nursing instructions are effective in improving family satisfaction and compliance with nursing instructions. In addition, these instructions help reduce the rate of unplanned return visits to the pediatric ED.

The construction, characterization and transfection of liposome- polycation-CDKN1B plasmid complexes.

OBJECTIVE: To develop an efficient non-viral gene delivery system in order to transfer CDKN1B gene efficiently into lung and liver carcinoma cells. METHODS: A recombinant plasmid composed of CDKN1B sequence and EYFP as reporter gene was constructed and identified. The recombinant DNA was then formulated the lipids-polycation-DNA complexes(LPDs) with protamine sulfate. Several kinds of lung and liver carcinoma cells were transfected by means of LPDs. The physicochemical properties of LPDs were investigated using PCS method and TEM, respectively. The expression of EYFP in A549 cells was observed under fluorescent microscope and evaluated by flow cytometry analysis. Finally, the production of CDKN1B protein in transfected LLC, Chang and 7721 cells was identified by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: The average diameter of the LPDs were 167 nm with the polydispersity index of 0.35. The average zeta potential of LPDs was +32.6 mV. LPDs look like a sunken sphere. The fluoresent microscope picture clearly indicated the expression of EYFP in A549 cells. The flow cytometry result showed that the transfection efficiency of LPDs in A549 cells was comparable with that of LipofectAMINE, the positive control. Western blot analysis confirmed the production of CDKN1B protein in LLC, Chang and 7721 cells transfected with LPDs, while no CDKN1B protein was detected in cells transfected with naked DNA. CONCLUSION: The construction of the recombinant plasmid is successful. LPDs can deliver the recombinant plasmid to lung carcinoma cells and liver carcinoma cells with high efficiency. Therefore, this kind of gene delivery system has the potential uses for the treatment of lung and liver cancer.

[Residual of exogenous iodine in forest soils and its effect on some wild-vegetable plants].

To cultivate iodine-enriched forest vegetables in the mountainous regions of northeast China, a series of iodine application experiments were conducted. Iodine fertilizer (potassium iodide, KI) was added to the forest soils supporting a variety of wild-vegetable plants, with a dosage gradient of 1.00, 3.33, 10.00, 16.67 and 50.00 mg.kg-1. The results showed that iodine application was an effective approach to obtain iodine-rich vegetable materials, and the iodine contents in treated plants could be 2-40 times higher than control. But, the residual of added iodine in soil was generally not high, only occupying 40%-5% of the application dosage. The accumulation of iodine in plants did not consistently increase with the dosage, which tended to slow down when the application amount increased to 10.00 mg.kg-1. In a comprehensive consideration of soil iodine residual, plant iodine accumulation and application cost, the proper iodine dosage should be approximately 10 mg.kg-1. Soil conditions had significant influence on the efficiency of iodine application, and the cultivated lands should be chosen at fine-textured, fertile, and upper-sloped sites, while sandy soils and down-sloped sites were unfavorable to the preservation of added iodine and to plant absorption.

Development and comparison of user acceptance of advanced comprehensive triage PDA support system with a traditional terminal alternative system.

An advanced PDA support system for the triage was designed to evaluate users inverted exclamation mark | acceptance of this system compared with a traditional terminal system. Davis inverted exclamation mark | Technology Acceptance Model was used to evaluate users inverted exclamation mark | acceptance. All 72 ER nurses in a 2700-bed medical center were invited for the study. The results showed that the PDA system was easier to operate than the terminal one, but had worse interface. The subjects showed significantly greater willingness to accept the terminal system instead of the PDA system. The comparative acceptance of PDA, compared with that of the old system, might still be marginally too low if its interface couldn inverted exclamation mark |t be improved or no other unique practical benefits could be verified.