Compositional changes and ecological characteristics of earthworm mucus under different electrical stimuli.

Earthworm mucus is rich in nutrients that can initiate the mineralization and humification of organic matter and is of great importance for contaminated soil remediation and sludge reutilization. In this study, six voltage and current combinations were utilized to promote earthworm mucus production (5 V and 6 V at 10, 20 and 30 mA, respectively), to explore the compositional changes of the mucus produced under different electrical stimuli, and to propose the best electrical stimulation group and mucus fraction applicable to soil heavy metal pollution remediation and sludge reutilization. The results showed that the mucus produced by the six electrical stimuli was mainly composed of proteins, amino acids, carbohydrates, fatty acids, and polysaccharides, with small amounts of alcohol, phenol, and ester organic substances. Under different electrical stimuli, each component changed significantly (P < 0.05). pH and conductivity were higher at 6 V 20 mA, total nitrogen and phosphorus contents reached their maximum at 5 V 30 mA, and total potassium at 6 V 10 mA. Protein, amino acids, and carbohydrates were most abundant in the mucus produced at 5 V 10 mA, while trace metal elements reached their lowest values at 5 V 10 mA. Finally, based on principal component analysis and combined with previous studies, it was concluded that the mucus produced at 5 V 10 mA was weakly alkaline, high in amino acids and nutrients and low in trace metal elements, and most suitable for sludge and straw composting experiments, soil remediation and amendment experiments.

Effects of Peripheral Neural Blocks in Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy: a Pilot Study on Cognitive Functions in Severe Obese Patients.

BACKGROUND: In addition to the analgesic effect, peripheral neural blocks also prevent cognitive impairment and peripheral inflammation induced by surgery. However, it is unknown if there is collateral impact on cognitive improvement after bariatric surgery. METHODS: In this pilot study, 75 patients with severe obesity for selective laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) were recruited and randomized into three groups (1:1:1) as general anesthesia (GA) group, transverse abdominis plane block (TAPB) group, and quadratus lumborum block (QLB) group. Bilateral TAPB or QLB was performed (0.33% ropivacaine with dexmedetomidine 1 µg/kg) before the standardized general anesthesia. Cognitive test battery was completed before LSG and in 1-month and 3-month follow-up. The levels of peripheral inflammatory cytokines were determined at equivalent time points. RESULTS: Patients with LSG exhibited massive cognitive improvement in postoperative 3 month without or with TAPB or QLB (Ptime < 0.001). Compared to GA, QLB significantly strengthened performance in MoCA (ß = 0.56, 95%CI: 0.08, 1.05). IL-6, IL-8, and high-sensitivity CRP significantly verified among three groups. Changes in IL-6 within postoperative 3 months were negatively correlated with MMSE and MoCA, and positively correlated with AVLT-DR for QLB group. Similar correlation was found in the GA group for changes in IL-6 and AVLT-IR. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy ideally improved memory and attention as early as postoperative 1 month. QLB promoted cognitive improvement in MoCA, which was negatively correlated with changes in IL-6. More precise trials are needed to determine the overall effect of peripheral neural block on cognition following bariatric surgery.

Application of Rice Husk Biochar and Earthworm on Concentration and Speciation of Heavy Metals in Industrial Sludge Treatment.

The aim of this study was to assess the total concentration and speciation variation of heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cu and Zn) during composting and vermicomposting of industrial sludge with different addition rations of rice husk biochar. Results indicated that pH, EC, total phosphorus (TP) and total potassium (TK) were increased and total organic carbon (TOC) and total nitrogen (TN) were decreased during the composting of industrial sludge with biochar compared with the control (sludge without biochar). The addition of earthworm to the biochar-amended sludge further decreased pH and TOC but highly enhanced the EC, TN, TP and TK. Comparatively lower concentrations of total and DTPA-extractable heavy metals were observed in biochar-amended sludge treatments mixed with earthworm in comparison with the biochar-amended sludge treatments without earthworm or the control. Sequential extraction methods demonstrated that vermicomposting of sludge with biochar converted more metals bound with exchangeable, carbonate and organic matter into the residual fraction in comparison with those composting treatments of sludge with biochar. As a result, the combination of rice husk biochar and earthworm accelerated the passivation of heavy metals in industrial sludge during vermicomposting. Rice husk biochar and earthworm can play a positive role in sequestering the metals during the treatment of industrial sludge. This research proposed a potential method to dispose the heavy metals in industrial sludge to transform waste into resource utilization.

Analgesic Efficacy of Transverse Abdominis Plane Block and Quadratus Lumborum Block in Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy: A Randomized Double-Blinded Clinical Trial.

INTRODUCTION: The analgesic effect and safety of transversus abdominis plane block (TAPB) is still controversial in various abdominal procedures. Quadratus lumborum block (QLB) has been considered to provide a widespread and long-lasting analgesic effect in gynecological surgeries. However, the analgesic effects of these two techniques in patients with extreme obesity undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) are still unknown. METHODS: A total of 225 patients with obesity were randomly assigned to group TAPB (n = 76, 30 ml 0.33% ropivacaine with dexmedetomidine 1 µg kg-1), group QLB (n = 76, 30 ml 0.33% ropivacaine with dexmedetomidine 1 µg kg-1), or general anesthesia alone (GA, n = 73, 30 ml 0.9% saline). During the 48-h postoperative period, patients received continuous intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) containing sufentanil 2 µg kg-1, dexmedetomidine 2 µg kg-1, and granisetron 3 mg. The scores of visual analogue scale (VAS) in surgical incision and viscera, considering as the primary outcomes, were continuously recorded at postoperative 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 6, 12, 24, 48 h and discharge. RESULTS: Comparing with patients in the GA group, VAS scores of incision and viscera were consistently reduced during the initial 6-12 h after LSG in TAPB and QLB groups, and they received less propofol and remifentanil (P < 0.001) as well. In the QLB group, patients had longer duration for the first rescue analgesia, and fewer requirements of the rescue analgesia within 24 h than the GA group (P < 0.05). In addition, there were fewer PCA requirements in QLB group than GA and TAPB groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane block and quadratus lumborum block could provide comparable analgesic effects for a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy in obese patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry; ChiCTR1800019236.

Cadmium-induced serotonergic neuron and reproduction damages conferred lethality in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans.

Cadmium is a ubiquitous environmental toxicant. The use of Caenorhabditis elegans as a model for monitoring cadmium exposure has revealed several conserved signaling pathways. However, little is known about the killing process during lethality assay. In the present study, we investigated the effects serotonergic neuronal and reproductive damages on cadmium exposure in C. elegans. We found that sterile hermaphrodites, males and worms that passed reproduction span presented high cadmium resistance compared to those of young adults. The results demonstrated that reproduction process other than reproduction capacity conferred cadmium sensitivity. Cadmium exposure resulted in high ratio bagging phenotype, which was a severe reproductive deficit with embryos hatched internally that could cause worms to die early. The mechanism of bagging formation was ascribed to cadmium-induced egg laying deficiency that led embryos to retain and hatch in uterus. The addition of serotonin and imipramine promoted egg laying and thereby increased cadmium resistance. The results demonstrated that vulval muscles responsible for egg laying were still functional, while the serotonergic hermaphrodite specific neurons might be dysfunctional under cadmium exposure. Cadmium exposure resulted in shrinkage of serotonergic neuronal body and reduced expressions of tryptophan hydroxylase, the key enzyme for serotonin synthesis. The protection of serotonergic neuron through transient thermal preconditioning improved survival rate. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that damages of serotonergic neurons and reproduction conferred to cadmium-induced lethality.

Effects of coal spoil amendment on heavy metal accumulation and physiological aspects of ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) growing in copper mine tailings.

Copper mine tailings pose many threats to the surrounding environment and human health, and thus, their remediation is fundamental. Coal spoil is the waste by-product of coal mining and characterized by low levels of metals, high content of organic matter, and many essential microelements. This study was designed to evaluate the role of coal spoil on heavy uptake and physiological responses of Lolium perenne L. grown in copper mine tailings amended with coal spoil at rates of 0, 0.5, 1, 5, 10, and 20%. The results showed that applying coal spoil to copper mine tailings decreased the diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA)-extractable Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn contents in tailings and reduced those metal contents in both roots and shoots of the plant. However, application of coal spoil increased the DTPA-extractable Cr concentration in tailings and also increased Cr uptake and accumulation by Lolium perenne L. The statistical analysis of physiological parameters indicated that chlorophyll and carotenoid increased at the lower amendments of coal spoil followed by a decrease compared to their respective controls. Protein content was enhanced at all the coal spoil amendments. When treated with coal spoil, the activities of superoxide dismutases (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) responded differently. CAT activity was inhibited, but POD activity was increased with increasing amendment ratio of coal spoil. SOD activity increased up to 1% coal spoil followed by a decrease. Overall, the addition of coal spoil decreased the oxidative stress in Lolium perenne L., reflected by the reduction in malondialdehyde (MDA) contents in the plant. It is concluded that coal spoil has the potential to stabilize most metals studied in copper mine tailings and ameliorate the harmful effects in Lolium perenne L. through changing the physiological attributes of the plant grown in copper mine tailings.

Effects of DDT and dicofol on population growth of Brachionus calyciflorus under different algal (Scenedesmus obliquus) densities.

A number of organochlorine pesticides, including DDT and dicofol, used to be important in crop protection and management. Their residues may reach water bodies and eventually affect the non-target organisms such as rotifers. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of DDT (0.05, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.4 mg l(-1)) and dicofol (0.1, 0.2, 0.4 and 0.8 mg l(-1)) on the population growth of rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus under two levels of Scenedesmus obliquus (1.0 x 10(6) and 3.0 x 10(6) cell ml(-1)). Regardless of the food level, DDT was more toxic than dicofol to B. calyciflorus. Under low food level, DDT at 0.1 and 0.2 mg l(-1) decreased the population growth rate (r), and DDT at 0.05-0.4 mg l(-1) decreased the maximum population density (K). Dicofol at 0.4 and 0.8 mg l(-1) decreased r and K, but dicofol at 0.2 mg l(-1) increased K. Under high food level, DDT at 0.05-0.2 mg l(-1) increased K, whereas DDT at 0.4 mg l(-1) as well as dicofol at 0.4 and 0.8 mg l(-1) decreased r and K. Increase in food level increased r exposed to DDT at 0.05-0.2 mg l(-1) as well as dicofol at 0.8 mg l(-1), and Kexposed to DDTat 0.05-0.2 mg l(-1) as well as dicofol at 0.1 and 0.2 mg l(-1). DDT concentration, algal density and their interaction affected r and K of B. calyciflorus. Both dicofol concentration and algal density affected r. Dicofol concentration, algal density and their interaction affected K. Both r and K were suitable endpoints for assessing the effects of DDT and dicofol on the rotifers population dynamics under two algal densities, and the latter was more sensitive.

Effect of four organochlorine pesticides on the reproduction of freshwater rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus Pallas.

Effects of four organochlorine pesticides, including dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), dicofol, endosulfan, and lindane, on the reproduction of freshwater rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus were studied by 3-d population growth tests. Compared to the control, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane at 0.64 mg/L, dicofol at 0.8 and 1.2 mg/L, endosulfan at 7.0 mg/L, and lindane at 14.0 mg/L all significantly decreased the population growth rate of the rotifers. Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane at concentrations higher than 0.16 mg/L, dicofol at concentrations higher than 0.025 mg/L, endosulfan at concentrations higher than 0.875 mg/L, and lindane at 14.0 mg/L all significantly decreased the mictic rate of the rotifers. Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane at 0.24 and 0.32 mg/L increased significantly the fertilization rate, but DDT at 0.64 mg/L inhibited completely the occurrence of fertilized mictic females. Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane at 0.32 and 0.64 mg/L, dicofol at 1.2 mg/L, and endosulfan at 7.0 mg/L all significantly decreased the ratio of ovigerous females to nonovigerous females, but the reverse was true for lindane at 7.0 mg/L. Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane at 0.0025 and 0.01 mg/L increased significantly the ratio of mictic females to amictic females, but the reverse was true for dicofol at 0.8 mg/L. Both population growth rate and mictic rate of the rotifers were suitable endpoints for assessing the effects of the four organochlorine insecticides on the reproduction of the rotifers, and the latter was more sensitive.

[Effects of glyphosate on life histroy characteristics of freshwater rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus].

The life table study on the life history characteristics of freshwater rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus under effects of different concentrations glyphosate showed that glyphosate had significant effects on the embryonic developmental time, duration of juvenile and reproductive periods, average lifespan, net reproductive rate, and intrinsic population increasing rate of the rotifer. The embryonic developmental time was significantly lengthened when exposed to 3 and 8 mg x L(-1) glyphosate, the juvenile period began to be lengthened significantly when exposed to 3 mg x L(-1) glyphosate, while the net reproductive rate and intrinsic population increasing rate decreased significantly when the rotifer was exposed to 8.00 and 10.50 mg x L(-1) glyphosate, respectively. Among all the parameters, intrinsic population increasing rate was the most sensitive parameter which could be used in monitoring the effects of glyphosate on the life history characteristics of B. calyciflorus.