Effects of sewage sludge application methods on the transport of heavy metals with runoff and their mechanisms.

Woodland utilization is a promising disposal method for sewage sludge (SS). However, the potential risk of heavy metals (HMs) transport with runoff must be considered. Among the various factors influencing HMs loss, SS application methods (Holing application, HA; Broadcasting and mixing application, BM; Broadcasting application, BA) are likely to cause significant effects by altering soil erosion and soil aggregates. This study aimed to determine how SS application methods affect HMs loss, soil aggregates erosion, and how they are related. Accordingly, the losses of HMs in surface runoff, interflow, and sediment were quantified during six simulated rainfalls. The results demonstrated that all methods reduced surface runoff, but BA was the most effective. Additionally, BA significantly reduced the total sediment yield and the total proportion of the <0.05 mm fraction aggregates. Moreover, BA had the smallest cumulative losses of Pb and Cd through surface runoff and Cu, Pb, and Cd through sediment. Sediment was the most important pathway for HMs loss, through which over 76.56 % of HMs were lost. In BA, the <0.05 mm fraction aggregates had the lowest HMs load, whereas in other treatments had the highest (54.33 %-80.33 %). The potential ecological risk coefficient of Cd was beyond "moderate" in all the pathways of BM and "high" in the interflow of each SS treatment. Nonetheless, when the multi-elements were evaluated collectively, the potential ecological risk index for each SS treatment was categorized as "low". Overall, BA not only reduced soil erosion but also posed no risk of HMs pollution. It should be noted that the loss of Cd in the interflow had a great impact, while the <0.05 mm fraction aggregates played a significant role in the HMs load. Thus, the current study not only provides an effective approach for the environmentally safe disposal of SS but also proposes a scientific method for the application of SS in woodlands.

The Efficacy and Safety of Chinese Medicine Fufang Zhenzhu Tiaozhi Capsule (FTZ) in the Treatment of Diabetic Coronary Heart Disease: Study Protocol for Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic coronary heart disease (DCHD), the main macrovascular complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), is greatly harmful to T2DM patients. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is an alternative and effective therapy to delay the development of macrovascular diseases, but the existing evidence of its efficacy and safety is insufficient. The aim of this multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Chinese Medicine Fufang Zhenzhu Tiaozhi capsule (FTZ) in treating DCHD. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study includes a 2-week run-in, 52-week treatment, and 52-week post-treatment follow-up. A total of 160 participants will be recruited and randomized into two groups. The treatment group will receive FTZ and basic treatment, while the control group will receive the placebo and basic treatment. The primary outcome is the combined outcome including the major adverse cardiovascular events, coronary restenosis, and unplanned revascularization. The combined secondary outcomes include all-cause mortality, acute coronary syndrome, ischemic stroke, heart failure, unplanned re-hospitalization mainly caused by acute complications of diabetes, other thromboembolic events, and TCM symptom indicators. The safety outcomes and adverse events will also be evaluated in this trial. DISCUSSION: This trial evaluates the clinical effectiveness and safety of FTZ in patients with DCHD. The results are important to further explore the effectiveness of the comprehensive strategy "Tiao Gan Qi Shu Hua Zhuo" (modulating Gan, trigging key metabolic system to resolve pathogenic factors such as phlegm retention and dampness) in the prevention and control of glucolipid metabolic disorders (GLMD) including DCHD and T2DM. On the other hand, this study is the first trial of FTZ to observe cardiovascular outcomes through long-term follow-up after treatment of DCHD, which is of great value. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry on April 07, 2019 (No. ChiCTR1900022345).

Warpage optimization and influence factors analysis of 3D printing personalized JJY tablets.

To explore the feasibility of preparing traditional Chinese medicine using 3 D printing technology and reduce warpage commonly occurs in large-size tablets, we investigated the prescription, warpage optimization and influence factors of 3 D printing Jiuxiang Jianpi Yangwei (JJY) tablets. The procedures used conformed to the requirements of the 2015 edition of the Chinese Pharmacopeia. The results of the prescription screening showed that 75% ethanol and HPMC (9%) could be adhesives. Meanwhile, stevia (0.5%) and citric acid (0.5%) improved the taste of the 3 D printed JJY tablets. To ensure the quality and appearance of the printed tablets, the best parameters were as follows: drying at room temperature, 40% of the filling density, a 3 mm model height, two outer ring numbers and a printing speed of 15 mm/s. The optimized printed tablets had a smooth appearance, suitable hardness, with the weight uniformity in accordance with the Pharmacopeia. We also prepared personalized JJY cartoon tablets (which contained images of a big-headed pig and a small yellow duck) which were designed to increase the compliance of children when taking their medications. In conclusion, this study reported that 3 D printing technology has great potential for preparing traditional Chinese medicines, and it provided guidance for 3 D printing tablets without warpage.

Effects of spent mushroom substrate-derived biochar on soil CO2 and N2O emissions depend on pyrolysis temperature.

Edible mushroom cultivation is an important industry in intensively managed forest understories. However, proper disposal of spent mushroom substrate (SMS) presents a challenge to its sustainable development. Biochar derived from SMS could be used to improve soil quality while providing a solution for SMS disposal. But SMS biochar pyrolyzed at different temperatures may alter carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions associated with global warming, especially under the context of nitrogen (N) addition and warming. We conducted a factorial incubation study to examine greenhouse gas emissions and N transformations in moso bamboo forest soil amended with SMS-biochar (control vs. pyrolyzed at 300, 450 or 600 °C) in different N-addition (0 or 100 mg N kg-1 soil) and temperature (20, 25 or 30 °C) treatments. Pyrolysis temperature affected pH, C and N of SMS-biochars. N-transformations depended on the interaction of pyrolysis temperature, N-addition, and incubation temperature but were generally lower with 450 °C biochar addition. Soil N2O emissions increased with N-addition and they were more sensitive to incubation temperatures without biochar. Soil CO2 emissions increased with incubation temperature or biochar pyrolyzed at lower temperatures. Pyrolysis temperature might have regulated the effects of SMS-derived biochar on N2O emissions via changes in dissolved C, N, pH and associated changes in soil microbial community compositions. Because of the importance of sustainable development of this understory industry, amending soils with biochar produced at higher temperatures may be the best strategy for both the disposal of SMS and the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions.