Hyperaccumulators' Diversity Enhances Cd-Contaminated Soil Restoration and Reduces Rice Cd Uptake under an Intercropping System.

Cd accumulation in rice-cultivated soils across China is a major problem that needs to be tackled. A plot experiment was carried out using heavy metal (HM) hyperaccumulators Amaranthus hypochondriacus L. and Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt. intercropped with low-accumulation rice to obtain safe edible rice while reducing the soil Cd concentration. It was found that Cd concentration in soil was decreased by 7.43 and 2.86% under rice intercropped with Amaranthus hypochondriacus L. and Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt., respectively, compared to single cropped rice. In addition, enhanced effects were noted under the combination of Amaranthus hypochondriacus L., Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt, and rice in which a 20.35% decrease in soil Cd content was recorded compared to single-cultivated rice soil. In addition, the available Cd in soil was reduced by 4.00 and 5.00% under rice/Amaranthus and rice/Perilla, respectively, and 12.00% under rice/Amaranthus/Perilla mixed culture. Moreover, the concentration of Cd in various parts of rice was under permissible limits. However, rice biomass was decreased by the presence of hyperaccumulators. This study suggests that combining HM hyperaccumulator plants and low-accumulation rice provides efficient Cd extraction results and could be a crucial option for restoring Cd-contaminated soil without reducing rice production.

Characteristics and effects of global sloping land urbanization from 2000 to 2020.

Cities usually expand on flat land. However, in recent decades, the increasing scarcity of available flat land has compelled many cities to expand to sloping land (sloping land urbanization, SLU), and the understanding for global SLU is still unclear. This study, based on the currently available high-precision global Digital Elevation Model (FABDEM) and global land cover dataset (GlobeLand30), investigated the characteristics and impacts of SLU in 26,402 urban residential areas worldwide from 2000 to 2020. Results show that the total area of SLU globally is 16,383 km2, accounting for 9.54 % of the overall urban expansion. This phenomenon is widespread globally and relatively concentrated in a few countries, with 42.78 %, 24.35 %, and 21.83 % of the area coming from cultivated land, forest, and grassland respectively. Global SLU has accommodated 34.78 million urban population, and indirectly protected 8922 km2 of flat cultivated land, while causing a net loss of 4373 km2 of green ecological land. Deliberately balancing the dual effects of SLU is crucial for advancing sustainable global urbanization.

Hyperaccumulator Solanum nigrum L. Intercropping Reduced Rice Cadmium Uptake under a High-Bed and Low-Ditch Planting System.

Anthropogenic activities have raised cadmium (Cd) concentrations in agricultural soil, emerging as a primary catalyst for the decline in crop yield. Intercropping of two or several plants is one technique among many Cd phytoremediation techniques that has gained enormous attention recently. However, the impact of cultivation modes on Cd movement in rice plants when intercropped with heavy metal (HM) hyperaccumulator plants remains unclear. Thus, this study was designed to explore the effects of cultivation modes and the intercropping of rice with Solanum nigrum L. on rice growth and Cd uptake in Cd-contaminated soil. The experimental design encompassed five treatments: dry cultivation of monocultured rice, monocultured Solanum nigrum L., and intercropped rice-Solanum nigrum L.; flood cultivation of monocultured rice; and intercropped rice-Solanum nigrum L. in a high-bed and low-ditch planting system. The results revealed a significant increase in rice growth when intercropped with Solanum nigrum L., with a notable increase of 18.32 g∙plant-1 observed in rice biomass in dry cultivation under the intercropping system. In contrast, a more modest increase of 3.67 g∙plant-1 was observed in the high-bed and low-ditch intercropped rice-Solanum nigrum L. mode. The soil total Cd was higher in dry cultivation of monocultured rice and Solanum nigrum L. compared to intercropped rice/Solanum nigrum L.-cultivated soil, with lower values recorded for intercropped rice/Solanum nigrum L. under the high-bed and low-ditch planting system. In contrast, no significant effect was noted on soil exchangeable Cd content based on the planting pattern and cultivation mode. Intercropping with Solanum nigrum L. demonstrated a significant reduction of Cd content in various rice tissues, particularly in roots at the maturity stage, while Cd content was reduced across all rice tissues under the high-bed and low-ditch planting system. The Cd content in the stem, leaves, and bran of monocropped rice was higher compared to intercropped rice. This study suggests that the rice-Solanum nigrum L. intercropping system effectively reduces rice Cd uptake, particularly under the high-bed and low-ditch planting system.

The application of mixed stabilizing materials promotes the feasibility of the intercropping system of Gynostemma pentaphyllum/Helianthus annuus L. on arsenic contaminated soil.

Intercropping technology and stabilizing materials are common remediation techniques for soils contaminated with heavy metals. This study investigated the feasibility of the Gynostemma pentaphyllum (G. pentaphyllum)/Helianthus annuus L. (H. annuus) intercropping system on arsenic (As) contaminated farmland through field and pot experiments and the regulation of plant As absorption by the application of mixed stabilizing materials in this intercropping system. Field experiments demonstrated that intercropping with H. annuus increased the As concentration in G. pentaphyllum leaves to 1.79 mg kg-1 but still met the requirements of the national food standard of China (2 mg kg-1) (GB2762-2017). Meanwhile, G. pentaphyllum yield in the intercropping system decreased by 15.09%, but the difference was insignificant (P > 0.05). Additionally, the As bioconcentration (BCA) per H. annuus plant in the intercropping system was significantly higher than that in the monoculture system, increasing by 76.37% (P < 0.05). The pot experiment demonstrated that when granite powder, iron sulfate mineral, and "Weidikang" soil conditioner were applied to the soil collectively, G. pentaphyllum leaf As concentration in the intercropping system could be significantly reduced by 42.17%. Rhizosphere pH is the most crucial factor affecting As absorption by G. pentaphyllum in intercropping systems. When these three stabilizing materials were applied simultaneously, the As bioaccumulation (BCA) per H. annuus plant was significantly higher than that of normal intercropping treatment, which increased by 71.12% (P < 0.05), indicating that the application of these stabilizing materials significantly improved the As removal efficiency of the intercropping system. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration in the rhizosphere soil is the most pivotal factor affecting As absorption by H. annuus. In summary, the G. pentaphyllum-H. annuus intercropping model is worthy of being promoted in moderately As polluted farmland. The application of granite powder, iron sulfate mineral, and "Weidikang" soil conditioner collectively to the soil can effectively enhance the potential of this intercropping model to achieve "production while repairing" in the As polluted farmland.

Early gut microbiota in very low and extremely low birth weight preterm infants with feeding intolerance: a prospective case-control study.

The potential role of the gut microbiota in the pathogenesis of feeding intolerance (FI) remains unclear. Understanding the role of the gut microbiota could provide a new avenue for microbiota-targeted therapeutics. This study aimed to explore the associations between aberrant gut microbiota and FI in very low or extremely low birth weight (VLBW/ELBW) preterm infants. In this observational case-control study, VLBW/ELBW infants were divided into two groups: FI group and feeding tolerance (FT) group. 16S rRNA gene sequencing was performed to analyze the gut microbial diversity and composition of the infants. The differences in the gut microbiota of the two groups were compared. In total, 165 stool samples were obtained from 44 infants, among which, 31 developed FI and 13 served as controls. Alpha diversity was the highest in the meconium samples of the two groups. LEfSe analysis revealed that the abundances of Peptostreptococcaceae, Clostridiales and Clostridia in the FT group were significantly higher than in the FI group. At the phylum level, the FI group was dominated by Proteobacteria, and the FT group was dominated by Firmicutes. The meconium samples of the FI group had higher proportions of γ-proteobacteria and Escherichia-Shigella and a lower proportion of Bacteroides compared with the FT group. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis demonstrated that aberrant gut bacteria in the FI group were strongly associated with dysregulation of C5-Branched-dibasic-acid-metabolism, protein kinases, and sporulation. These findings reveal candidate microbial markers to prevent FI. Increased relative abundances of γ-proteobacteria and Escherichia-Shigella and decreased abundance of Bacteroides in meconium were associated with an increased risk of FI, while Peptostreptococcaceae, Clostridiales and Clostridia reduced the risk of FI in VLBW/ELBW infants.

A Systematic Review of E-Cigarette Marketing Communication: Messages, Communication Channels, and Strategies.

Marketing plays a key role in increasing the popularity of e-cigarettes. We conducted a systematic review of the existing literature published between 2003 and 2019 in eight databases to describe e-cigarette marketing communication messages by communication channels and marketing communication strategies. Forty-one articles were included in the analysis after screening. Ten key messages were identified. Cessation and health-related benefits (each n = 31, 75.6%) were the most reported marketing communication messages, followed by sociability/lifestyle and use experience. The Internet (n = 32, 78.0%) was the most studied communication channel compared to print, TV/movie/radio, and point-of-sales (POS)/retail stores. The most studied marketing communication strategies were advertising (n = 28, 68.3%), followed by public relations and sales promotion. Published research studies reported consistent messages about e-cigarettes across communication channels and marketing communication strategies. Claims of smoking cessation and health-related benefits were widely identified in the existing literature. While therapeutic claims are prohibited, soft sell messages, such as social appeals, for which regulatory reach may be limited, may require educational campaigns. Internet marketing has attracted much attention, with limited studies on messages in print, TV/movie/radio, and POS/retail stores. The lack of studies of direct marketing messaging indicates a big gap between industry spending and academic research; more studies of messaging utilizing this strategy are needed.

Evaluation of [18F]F-TZ3108 for PET Imaging of Metabolic-Associated Fatty Liver Disease.

PURPOSE: Sigma-1 receptor (Sig-1R), a chaperone that resides at the mitochondrion-associated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane, is an ER stress biomarker. It is thought that ER stress plays a critical role in the progression of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). The aim of this study was to evaluate a positron emission tomography (PET) tracer [18F]F-TZ3108 targeting Sig-1R for MAFLD. PROCEDURES: The mouse model of MAFLD was established by feeding high-fat diet (HFD) for 12 weeks. Dynamic (0-60 min) PET/CT scans were performed after intravenous injection of 2-deoxy-2[18F]fluoro-D-glucose ([18F]-FDG) and [18F]F-TZ3108. Tracer kinetic modeling was performed for quantification of the PET/CT imaging of the liver. Post-PET biodistribution, the liver tissue western blotting (WB), and immunofluorescence (IF) were performed to compare the expression of Sig-1R levels in the organs harvested from both MAFLD and age-matched control mice. RESULTS: The micro PET/CT imaging revealed a significantly decreased uptake of [18F]F-TZ3108 in the livers of the MAFLD group compared to the healthy controls, while the uptake of [18F]-FDG in the livers was not significantly different between the two groups. Based on the tracer kinetic modeling, the binding disassociate rate (k4) for [18F]F-TZ3108 was significantly increased in MAFLD group compared to healthy controls. The volume distribution (VT), and the non-displacement binding potential (BPND) revealed significantly decrease in MAFLD compared to healthy controls respectively. The post-PET biodistribution (%ID/g) of [18F]F-TZ3108 in the livers of MAFLD mice was significantly reduced nearly twofold than that in the livers of control mice. WB and IF experiments further confirmed the reduction of Sig-1R expression in the MAFLD group. CONCLUSIONS: The expression of Sig-1R in the liver, measured by the PET tracer, [18F]F-TZ3108, was significantly decreased in mouse model of MAFLD. The [18F]F-TZ3108 PET/CT imaging may provide a novel means of visualization for ER stress in MAFLD or other diseases in vivo.

Electronic cigarette related topics with conflicting arguments in Chinese newspapers.

INTRODUCTION: While debates on e-cigarettes are mainly conducted in scientific fora, media are the most accessible information source for the public, shaping their perceptions of health issues. This study is the first to examine e-cigarette related topics with conflicting arguments presented in Chinese newspapers. METHODS: The Chinese terms for 'e-cigarettes' were searched in a widely used Chinese news database Wisenews. Content analysis of the full text of 639 news articles was conducted to identify topics with conflicting arguments and examine whether the dominant argument in each topic changed across four time periods from 2004 to 2019. RESULTS: Twelve e-cigarette related topics with conflicting arguments were identified. The most frequently reported topic was health impact of e-cigarettes, followed by impact of secondhand aerosol exposure, smoking cessation, relative health impact of e-cigarettes compared to cigarettes, and e-cigarette policies outside China. At the same time, the price was the least frequently reported topic. Overall, negative arguments outnumbered positive arguments in the study period. The dominant arguments within many topics changed across time periods; however, within the topics of relative health impact of e-cigarettes compared to cigarettes, taste/flavor, and economic prospects of the industry, positive arguments were more frequently reported in almost all periods. Within the topics of addiction, policies in China, and policies outside China, negative arguments were more frequently reported in virtually all periods. CONCLUSIONS: Though overall the dominant argument about e-cigarettes and health was 'e-cigarettes are harmful', in the early time periods, e-cigarettes were reported as 'harmless' or even 'healthy'. As China began to regulate e-cigarettes, the reporting on e-cigarettes more frequently included the 'e-cigarettes are harmful' argument. The consistent, more frequent reporting of 'good e-cigarette taste/flavor' has the potential to attract young people to e-cigarette products. The increased reporting on policies unfavorable to e-cigarettes aligned with the growing number of regulations restricting e-cigarettes.

[Origin and relationship of jing-well points and Shixuan (EX-UE 11)].

Both the twelve jing-well points and Shixuan (EX-UE 11) are the commonly used first-aid points. These two kinds of acupoints are located closely and similar in function, hence, they are often confused in application. In order to explore the origin of their location and theory as well as their relationship, the relevant data were retrieved. It has been found that the relationship between jing-well points and Shixuan (EX-UE 11) is traced at the earliest time to Huangdi Neijing (Yellow Emperor's Internal Classics). It is believed that the jing-well points refer to the starting points or the ending points of the twelve regular meridians and Shixuan (EX-UE 11) are located at the crossing sites of yin-yang related meridians of the regular meridians. These two kinds of acupoints are interconnected, share the same source and are also different from each other. Qiduan (EX-LE 12) is also named as foot-Shixuan. Shixuan (EX-UE 11) and Qiduan (EX-LE 12) can be regarded as the same category, just like jing-well points. In clinical practice, the jing-well points are generally selected in treatment of internal diseases, local diseases and those on the running course of meridians. They can be used separately in treatment. Shixuan (EX-UE 11) is the first option, or combined with Qiduan (EX-LE 12) in the emergent treatment of tense syndrome and syncope. The jing-well points and Shixuan (EX-UE 11) are different even though sharing the same origin. They are mutually benefited and supplemented with each other in clinical practice.

[Acupuncture strategy for Bu-yi in Inner Canon of Yellow Emperor].

This article focuses on the Bu-yi (the disease has not been cured after treatment) recorded in the Inner Canon of Yellow Emperor and discusses four aspects, including acupuncture feasibility, acupuncture treatment transformation, acupuncture point selection and acupuncture treatment principles. We hope to explain the virtual acupuncture in the Inner Canon of Yellow Emperor from a deeper level and provide new ideas for clinical acupuncture treatment.

[Exploration into the simplex reinforcing-reducing manipulation of acupuncture].

Four controversial types of simplex reinforcing-reducing manipulation of acupuncture and their possible meanings were summarized to explore several key elements of reinforcing-reducing manipulation of acupuncture, in addition, the simplex reinforcing-reducing manipulation of acupuncture was classified by single factor. It is concluded that the definition of simplex reinforcing-reducing manipulation of acupuncture should try not to include other non-manipulative elements. According to single factor, it can be divided into: needle-oriented reinforcing-reducing manipulation, twisting reinforcing-reducing manipulation, lifting and interpolating reinforcing-reducing manipulation, fast and slow reinforcing-reducing manipulation, breathing reinforcing-reducing manipulation, opening and closing reinforcing-reducing manipulation. In addition, after considering the effect and principle of number reinforcing-reducing manipulation, it can be considered.

Hyaluronan microenvironment enhances cartilage regeneration of human adipose-derived stem cells in a chondral defect model.

Hyaluronan (HA) is an important extracellular matrix component in the early stage of chondrogenesis. This study aimed to investigate the application of an HA microenvironment for human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs)-based articular cartilage regeneration. HA-enriched fibrin (HA/Fibrin) hydrogels were synthesized and characterized for use as HA microenvironments. The cell viability and chondrogenic gene expression of hADSCs cultured in HA/Fibrin (HA/Fibrin/hADSC) and Fibrin (Fibrin/hADSC) hydrogels were tested in vitro. A chondral defect created in osteochondral core explants ex vivo was used to test chondral defect regeneration by HA/Fibrin/hADSC or Fibrin/hADSC hydrogels. The results showed that HA/Fibrin hydrogels exhibited an increased swelling ratio and matrix stiffness and a smoother surface with more interconnected pores than in Fibrin hydrogels. The viability of hADSCs in HA/Fibrin/hADSC hydrogels was not altered, but they exhibited higher chondrogenic gene expression than those in Fibrin/hADSC hydrogels. For chondral defect regeneration, the HA/Fibrin/hADSC hydrogels exhibited the most cartilaginous tissue neo-formation, chondral integration and sGAG content in the surrounding tissue. This study demonstrated that an HA microenvironment enhances hADSC-mediated cartilage regeneration in chondral defects and thus may be used for ADSC-based articular cartilage tissue engineering.

Ionic complex of a rhodamine dye with aggregation-induced emission properties.

An AIE-active rhodamine based luminogen was prepared via a complexation reaction between non-emissive rhodamine hydrazide (RdH) and bulky camphorsulfonic acid (CSA). Besides acting to open the spirolactam ring of RdH, CSA also imposes a rotational restriction on the resultant ionic complex, RdH(CSA)x. Without CSA, the analogous complex RdH(HCl)3 is a luminogen with aggregation-caused quenching (ACQ) properties. The ionic bonds of RdH(CSA)3 are sensitive to several external stimuli and therefore it is a luminescent sensor for metal ions, organic amines and the blood protein bovine serum albumin (BSA). Besides being a sensor for BSA, the ionic RdH(CSA)3 is also a denaturant capable of uncoiling the peptide chain of BSA.

Light-Up of Rhodamine Hydrazide to Generate Emissive Initiator for Polymerization and to Afford Photochromic Polypeptide Metal Complex.

Ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of cyclic peptide monomer of γ-propargyl-l-glutamate N-carboxyanhydride (PLG⁻NCA) was originally initiated by non-emissive, ring-close rhodamine 6G hydrazide (R-C). However, instantaneously after adding PLG⁻NCA to R-C, the spirolactam ring of R-C was opened by PLG⁻NCA, rendering emissive, ring-open R-O to initiate ROP of PLG⁻NCA. The emissive R-O moiety therefore produced fluorescent R⁻PLG with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) properties. Moreover, R⁻PLG was found to exhibit photochromic properties with good fatigue resistance and long lifetime when forming metal complexes with Sn(II) and Fe(III). In the dark, irradiated metal complexes slowly (~50 min) restored to the initial state. This research provides foundation for the development of new photochromic materials with long lifetime.

Induction of HIV Neutralizing Antibody Lineages in Mice with Diverse Precursor Repertoires.

The design of immunogens that elicit broadly reactive neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) has been a major obstacle to HIV-1 vaccine development. One approach to assess potential immunogens is to use mice expressing precursors of human bnAbs as vaccination models. The bnAbs of the VRC01-class derive from the IGHV1-2 immunoglobulin heavy chain and neutralize a wide spectrum of HIV-1 strains via targeting the CD4 binding site of the envelope glycoprotein gp120. We now describe a mouse vaccination model that allows a germline human IGHV1-2(∗)02 segment to undergo normal V(D)J recombination and, thereby, leads to the generation of peripheral B cells that express a highly diverse repertoire of VRC01-related receptors. When sequentially immunized with modified gp120 glycoproteins designed to engage VRC01 germline and intermediate antibodies, IGHV1-2(∗)02-rearranging mice, which also express a VRC01-antibody precursor light chain, can support the affinity maturation of VRC01 precursor antibodies into HIV-neutralizing antibody lineages.

A Rapid Embryonic Stem Cell-Based Mouse Model for B-cell Lymphomas Driven by Epstein-Barr Virus Protein LMP1.

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) contributes to oncogenic human B-cell transformation. Mouse B cells conditionally expressing LMP1 are not predisposed to B-cell malignancies, as LMP1-expressing B cells are eliminated by T cells. However, mice with conditional B-cell LMP1 expression and genetic elimination of α/ß and γ/δ T cells ("CLT" mice) die early in association with B-cell lymphoproliferation and lymphomagenesis. Generation of CLT mice involves in-breeding multiple independently segregating alleles. Thus, although introduction of additional activating or knockout mutations into the CLT model is desirable for further B-cell expansion and immunosurveillance studies, doing such experiments by germline breeding is time-consuming, expensive, and sometimes unfeasible. To generate a more tractable model, we generated clonal CLT embryonic stem (ES) cells from CLT embryos and injected them into RAG2-deficient blastocysts to generate chimeric mice, which, like germline CLT mice, harbor splenic CLT B cells and lack T cells. CLT chimeric mice generated by this RAG2-deficient blastocyst complementation ("RDBC") approach die rapidly in association with B-cell lymphoproliferation and lymphoma. Because CLT lymphomas routinely express the activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) antibody diversifier, we tested potential AID roles by eliminating the AID gene in CLT ES cells and testing them via RDBC. We found that CLT and AID-deficient CLT ES chimeras had indistinguishable phenotypes, showing that AID is not essential for LMP1-induced lymphomagenesis. Beyond expanding accessibility and utility of CLT mice as a cancer immunotherapy model, our studies provide a new approach for facilitating generation of genetically complex mouse cancer models.