The effect of dynamic vulcanization on the morphology and biodegradability of super toughened poly(lactic acid)/unsaturated poly(ether-ester) blends.

Preparing a super-tough polylactic acid (PLA) material while maintaining its biodegradability is a significant challenge. This study synthesized a biodegradable unsaturated poly(butylene succinate-co-fumarate)-poly(ethylene glycol) multiblock copolymer (PBSFG) and dynamically vulcanized it with PLA to obtain super-tough blends. The PBSFG self-vulcanized and formed a crosslinked "hard-soft" core-shell rubber phase in the blending process, where the PBSF segment acted as the core and PEG as the shell. As a result, the elongation at break and notched Izod impact strength of PLA increased significantly from 3 % to 66 % and from 3.2 to 58.0 kJ/m2, respectively. Furthermore, adding a small amount of dicumyl peroxide (DCP) promoted dynamic vulcanization and improved the compatibility between PLA and PBSFG. With the addition of 0.03 % DCP, the elongation at break and notched Izod impact strength of PLA/PBSFG were further increased to 218 % and 88.9 kJ/m2, respectively. Meanwhile, the crystallization rate of PLA was enhanced by the addition of PBSFG and DCP. The PLA/PBSFG blends also degraded in a proteinase K Tris-HCl buffered buffer solution. Finally, fully biodegradable and super-tough PLA blends were achieved.

Associations of concomitant retinopathy and depression with mortality in a nationally representative population.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the interaction effects between retinopathy and depression on mortality risks in genral population and subpopulation with diabetes. METHODS: Prospective analyses were conducted on data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys study. Associations of retinopathy, depression and their interaction with all-cause, cardiovascular disease (CVD)-specific, cancer-specific and other-specific mortality risk were estimated using Kaplan-Meier curves and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS: Among 5367 participants, the weighted prevalence of retinopathy and depression was 9.6 % and 7.1 %, respectively. After a follow-up period of 12.1 years, 1295 deaths (17.3 %) occurred. Retinopathy was associated with an increased risk of all-cause (hazard ratio [HR]; 95 % confidence interval [CI]) (1.47; 1.27-1.71), CVD-specific (1.87; 1.45-2.41), and other-specific (1.43; 1.14-1.79) mortality. Similar relationship was observed between depression and all-cause mortality (1.24; 1.02-1.52). Retinopathy and depression had a positive multiplicative and additive interaction effect on all-cause (Pinteraction = 0.015; relative excess risk of interaction [RERI] 1.30; 95 % CI 0.15-2.45) and CVD-specific mortality (Pinteraction = 0.042; RERI 2.65; 95 % CI -0.12-5.42). Concomitant retinopathy and depression was more markedly associated with all-cause (2.86; 1.91-4.28), CVD-specific (4.70; 2.57-8.62), and other-specific mortality risks (2.18; 1.14-4.15) compared to those without retinopathy and depression. These associations were more pronounced in the diabetic participants. CONCLUSIONS: The co-occurrence of retinopathy and depression increases the risk of all-cause and CVD-specific mortality among middle-aged and older adults in the United States, especially in population with diabetes. Focus on diabetic patients and active evaluation and intervention of retinopathy with depression may improve their quality of life and mortality outcomes.

Insights into As accumulation in soil-groundwater-wheat-hair system of suburban farmland: Distribution, transfer and potential health risk.

Health risks caused by arsenic (As) contamination in soils and its migration in environmental media have attracted much attention. In this study, suburban farmland of KF city in the ecotone of the Yellow River and Huaihe River Basin was taken as the research area. A series of samples including topsoils (246), profile soils (280), matched wheat grains (22 groups), groundwater (26) and human hair (355) were collected. As distribution and transfer in soil-groundwater-wheat-hair (SGWH) system in typical sites were explored, and comprehensive health risk of As in SGWH system was assessed based on US EPA model and local exposure parameters. The results showed that spatial distribution of total As presented a significant high value area, and higher As contents (in the range of 0.45-29.86 mg kg-1) and bioavailability was mainly in topsoils, which indicated that anthropogenic sources have led to As enrichment in studied area. Also, it was found that the As contents in 95 % of wheat grain samples were higher than that in the control soils, and 9 % groundwater samples were above national Class I standards. Especially, average As content in hair in typical sites was obviously influenced by that in soil, wheat and groundwater. Moreover, As migration curve along soil → wheat (groundwater) → hair appeared an irregular 'V' shape, and transfer coefficients of Tf water/soil (10-5), Tf wheat/soil (10-3), Tf hair/soil (10-2), Tf hair/wheat (101) and Tf hair/water (104) presented an obvious increasing trend of magnitude, implying that human body has a higher As enrichment risk. Furthermore, comprehensive health risks for children and adults in typical sites were significant, while wheat is the main risk medium. In general, arsenic accumulation in human hair is good consistent with EPA health risk model, and their combination can better evaluate environmental exposure risk of As.

A New Sight of Influencing Effects of Major Factors on Cd Transfer from Soil to Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.): Based on Threshold Regression Model.

Due to the high toxicity and potential health risk of cadmium (Cd), the influencing effects of major factors (like pH, OM, and clay, etc.) on Cd bioaccumulation and transfer from soil to crop grains are highly concerned. Multiple linear regression models were usually applied in previous literature, but these linear models could not reflect the threshold effects of major factors on Cd transfer under different soil environmental conditions. Soil pH and other factors on Cd transfer in a soil-plant system might pose different or even contrary effects under different soil Cd exposure levels. For this purpose, we try to apply a threshold regression model to analyze the effects of key soil parameters on Cd bioaccumulation and transfer from soil to wheat. The results showed that under different soil pH or Cd levels, several factors, including soil pH, organic matter, exchangeable Cd, clay, P, Zn, and Ca showed obvious threshold effects, and caused different or even contrary impacts on Cd bioaccumulation in wheat grains. Notably, the increase of soil pH inhibited Cd accumulation when pH > 7.98, but had a promotional effect when pH ≤ 7.98. Thus, threshold regression analysis could provide a new insight that can lead to a more integrated understanding of the relevant factors on Cd accumulation and transfer from soil to wheat. In addition, it might give us a new thought on setting regulatory limits on Cd contents in wheat grains, or the inhibitory factors of Cd transfer.

[Utilization of UiO-66-NH2@cellulose hybrid aerogel for solid-phase extraction of sildenafil in health products].

Sildenafil is a prescription drug used to treat pulmonary hypertension and erectile dysfunction. However, the illegal addition of sildenafil to health supplements may be hazardous to human health. Therefore, it is imperative to develop a method for the detection of sildenafil in health products. Solid-phase extraction (SPE) is typically used for the separation, purification, and enrichment of samples, with the aim of reducing the matrix interference of the samples and improving the detection sensitivity. SPE is widely employed in the detection of trace compounds in complex samples. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are hybrid crystalline materials composed of metal ions and organic ligands. MOFs offer the advantages of a large specific surface area, permanent nanopores, good stability, and pore controllability. Owing to their advantages, researchers have attempted to use MOFs for SPE; however, it is difficult to collect MOFs in the powder form when they are directly used in SPE, necessitating the use of a substrate material to fix the MOFs. Hence, this study proposes a novel SPE method with high sensitivity that employs a UiO-66-NH2@cellulose hybrid aerogel, for the detection of sildenafil in health products. First, UiO-66-NH2 was synthesized by a hydrothermal method. Cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) was modified with an aldehyde group to obtain CNC-CHO, and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) was modified with a hydrazide group to obtain CMC-NHNH2. Subsequently, UiO-66-NH2 was added to the CNC-CHO solution, mixed with the CMC-NHNH2 solution, and then crosslinked to load UiO-66-NH2 and form a hybrid aerogel as a bulk adsorbent. This bulk hybrid aerogel could be collected easily without extra force for use in SPE. The synthesized hybrid aerogel was characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and nitrogen gas adsorption/desorption. The results showed that UiO-66-NH2 was successfully loaded on the pore surface of the hybrid aerogel, which made the pore of aerogel become more regular and a larger surface area. Investigation of the loading amount of UiO-66-NH2 in the hybrid aerogel revealed that a higher amount of UiO-66-NH2 could yield better extraction efficiency. The highest amount of UiO-66-NH2 that could be loaded in the hybrid aerogel was 50%. The experimental conditions affecting the enrichment of sildenafil were optimized, and determined to be the following: pH of the sample, 9.0; extraction time, 60 min; eluent, acetonitrile; elution time, 40 min; elution volume, 3×2 mL; salt ion concentration, 0. Separation was performed on an Agilent Zorbax Eclipse Plus C18 column (150 mm×4.6 mm, 5 µm) with a phosphate solution containing 0.1 mol/L triethylamine (pH=6.50)-acetonitrile (30∶70, v/v) as the mobile phase. The detection wavelength was set at 292 nm. Under the optimal conditions, the UiO-66-NH2@cellulose hybrid aerogel was used as an adsorbent to extract sildenafil in different concentrations. The peak area was proportional to the sildenafil concentration in the range of 10-2000 ng/mL, with limit of detection (LOD, S/N=3) of 2.85 ng/mL and enrichment factor of 59.17. The correlation coefficient (R2) was 0.9950. Compared to previous preconcentration methods for sildenafil, this method offered a wider linear range. Five batches of hybrid aerogels were simultaneously prepared under the same conditions and used to extract sildenafil; the relative standard deviation (RSD, n=3) was 1.71%, indicating that the prepared hybrid aerogels offered good reproducibility. The used composite aerogels were freeze-dried again and reused to extract sildenafil; the recovery was still maintained at 85.23% after five extraction cycles, indicating that the UiO-66-NH2@cellulose hybrid aerogel had good regeneration ability. The feasibility of the developed method was verified by analyzing five health products. The results demonstrated the presence of 3.01 µg/g sildenafil in one of the products and no sildenafil in the others. The recoveries of this SPE method ranged from 74.93% to 89.12%, with RSDs in the range of 2.8%-5.3%, proving the feasibility of this analytical method.

Combination of UNMIX, PMF model and Pb-Zn-Cu isotopic compositions for quantitative source apportionment of heavy metals in suburban agricultural soils.

Quantitative identification of heavy metals (HM) sources in soils is key to prevention and control of heavy metal pollution. In this study, UNMIX, PMF (Positive matrix factorization) model and Pb-Zn-Cu isotopic compositions were combined to quantitatively identify heavy metal sources in a suburban agricultural area of Kaifeng, China. Using multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS) and ICP-MS, we measured Pb, Zn and Cu stable isotopic compositions, HM concentrations and HM chemical fractions in studied soils, as well as potential sources around the highly polluted site, including total suspended particle, compound fertilizer, irrigated river water and sediments. The results showed that total contents and chemical fractions of heavy metals, as well as Pb-Zn-Cu isotopic compositions presented great variation in different sites, which implied that heavy metal accumulation was obviously affected by local anthropogenic pollution source. UNMIX and PMF presented good agreement on source apportionment that industrial and agricultural activities (61.74% and 60.75% for UNMIX and PMF, respectively) were the major contributors to heavy metal accumulation in the study area. Especially, sewage irrigation and atmosphere deposition accounted for a large proportion (28.14% and 41.03% for UNMIX and PMF, respectively). Moreover, isotopic compositions of Pb, Zn and Cu in highly polluted soils and environment media gave further confirmation that sewage irrigation and atmosphere deposition were primary anthropogenic source. Therefore, combination of UNMIX, PMF model and Pb-Zn-Cu isotopic compositions showed good coordination in quantitative and specific source identification of heavy metals in agricultural soils.

Flexible photoelectrochemical sensor for highly sensitive chloramphenicol detection based on M-TiO2-CdTe QDs/CdS QDs composite.

Chloramphenicol (CAP) is widely used in the food industry and animal husbandry due to its effective antibiotic effect active against gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms. However, research shows that it can cause serious adverse reactions and side effects in the human body. In order to effectively monitor the residues of CAP, a novel and simple photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensor for sensitive detection of CAP is fabricated based on M-TiO2-CdTe QDs/CdS QDs composite. The results show that the prepared M-TiO2 not only retains the original morphology and structure of MIL-125(Ti), but also exhibits more abundant pore structure and good photoelectrochemical properties. Compared with M-TiO2, the as-prepared M-TiO2-CdTe QDs/CdS QDs composite exhibits excellent PEC performances including about ninefold enhancement of photocurrent intensity, which is ascribed to the large surface of M-TiO2 and the introduction of CdTe QDs and CdS QDs. Based on the selective inhibitory effect of CAP in the photocurrent intensity of the M-TiO2-CdTe QDs/CdS QDs PEC system, a novel PEC sensor for CAP concentration determination is constructed. The designed PEC sensor demonstrates a linear range from 1 to 140 nmol L-1 with a detection limit of 0.14 nmol L-1 (S/N = 3). Moreover, the method is applied to real milk samples to quantify the CAP residues with spiked recoveries in the range of 96.3-106%, and the possible detection mechanism of the M-TiO2-CdTe QDs/CdS QDs PEC system is also discussed.

The natural product trienomycin A is a STAT3 pathway inhibitor that exhibits potent in vitro and in vivo efficacy against pancreatic cancer.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Pancreatic cancer is an exceptionally fatal disease. However, therapeutic drugs for pancreatic cancer have presented a serious shortage over the past few decades. Signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT3) is persistently activated in many human cancers where it promotes tumour development and progression. Natural products serve as an inexhaustible source of anticancer drugs. Here, we identified the natural product trienomycin A (TA), an ansamycin antibiotic, as a potential inhibitor of the STAT3 pathway with potent activity against pancreatic cancer. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Effects of trienomycin A on transcriptional activity of STAT3 were assessed by the STAT3-luciferase (STAT3-luc) reporter system. In vitro and in vivo inhibitory activity of TA against pancreatic cancer made use of molecular docking, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) assay, MTS assay, colony formation assay, transwell migration/invasion assay, flow cytometric analysis, immunofluorescence staining, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), western blotting, tumour xenograft model, haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and immunohistochemistry. KEY RESULTS: Trienomycin A directly bound to STAT3 and inhibited STAT3 (Tyr705) phosphorylation, thus inhibiting the STAT3 pathway. Trienomycin A also inhibited colony formation, proliferation, migration and invasion of pancreatic cancer cell lines. Trienomycin A also markedly blocked pancreatic tumour growth in vivo. More importantly, trienomycin A did not show obvious toxicity at the effective dose in mice. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Trienomycin A exerted anti-neoplastic activity by suppressing STAT3 activation in pancreatic cancer. This natural product could be a novel therapeutic candidate for pancreatic cancer.

A novel maize biochar-based compound fertilizer for immobilizing cadmium and improving soil quality and maize growth.

In this study, a novel biochar-based compound fertilizer (BCF) was synthesized with maize straw biomass, diatomite, triple superphosphate and urea at different temperatures (300 °C, 450 °C, 600 °C) and mixture proportions (5:1:1:x and 10:1:1:x). An investigation was conducted into the effects of BCF at low application rates on the immobilization of available cadmium, soil fertility and maize growth. The lab incubation experiments showed that the low doses of BCF (B5PNx and B10PNx) contributed to a significant reduction of the Cd availability in soil, with the highest reduction rate of available Cd up to 44.13%. Field experiments demonstrated that the low doses ( < 0.1%) of BCF（especially for B5PN600）led to the improvement of soil fertility and maize growth (including maize yield) and the significant reduction of Cd contents in maize grains. The increase of pyrolysis temperature could enhance the biochar adsorption capacity for Cd2+ by increasing both specific surface areas and total pore volume. The modification of urea, diatomite and triple superphosphate played a vital role on cadmium immobilization, soil improvement and maize growth by forming porous adsorption, precipitates or complexation with the increase of functional groups, as well as supplementation of N, P, Si nutrients. This study suggested that the biochar-based compound fertilizer (BCF with a mixture ratio of 5:1:1:x) produced at 600 °C could be served as a promising and eco-friendly remediation agent for the arable soils polluted with Cd, with reduction of chemical fertilizers.

Diagnostic Performance of Biparametric MRI for Detection of Prostate Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate the diagnostic performance of biparametric MRI (bpMRI) for detection of prostate cancer (PCa). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two independent reviewers performed a systematic review of the literature published from January 2000 to July 2017 by using predefined search terms. The standard of pathologic reference was established at prostatectomy or prostate biopsy. The numbers of true- and false-positive and true- and false-negative results were extracted. The Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies tool was used to assess the quality of the selected studies. Statistical analysis included pooling of diagnostic accuracy, meta-regression, subgroup analysis, head-to-head comparison, and identification of publication bias. RESULTS: Thirty-three studies were used for general data pooling. The overall sensitivity was 0.81 (95% CI, 0.76-0.85), and overall specificity was 0.77 (95% CI, 0.69-0.84). As for clinically relevant PCa, bpMRI maintained high diagnostic value (AUC, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.82-0.88). There was no evidence of publication bias (p = 0.67). From head-to-head comparison for detection of PCa, multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) had significantly higher pooled sensitivity (0.85; 95% CI, 0.78-0.93) than did bpMRI (0.80; 95% CI, 0.71-0.90) (p = 0.01). However, the pooled specificity values were not significantly different (mpMRI, 0.77 [95% CI, 0.58-0.95]; bpMRI, 0.80 [95% CI, 0.64-0.96]; p = 0.82). CONCLUSION: The results of this meta-analysis suggest that bpMRI has high diagnostic accuracy in the detection of PCa and maintains a high detection rate for clinically relevant PCa. However, owing to high heterogeneity among the included studies, caution is needed in applying the results of the meta-analysis.

Clinical Application of Biparametric MRI Texture Analysis for Detection and Evaluation of High-Grade Prostate Cancer in Zone-Specific Regions.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the performance of biparametric MRI texture analysis (TA) in detecting and evaluating high-grade prostate cancer in zone-specific regions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study included 184 consecutively registered biopsy-naive patients in whom prostate cancer was suspected who were undergoing multiparametric prostate MRI. MR images were scored and evaluated by two readers using the Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System version 2 (PI-RADSv2) and biparametric MRI TA in separate sessions. Interobserver agreement on PI-RADSv2 score and textural parameters of biparametric MRI was evaluated. The logistic regression model based on TA was built for different zones of the prostate. ROC analysis was used to compare the TA-based model with other parameters alone. The correlation of each parameter with Gleason score of high-grade prostate cancer was also assessed. RESULTS: Reader reliability ranged from moderate to good for PI-RADSv2 (Cohen κ = 0.525-0.616) and from good to excellent for textural metrics (intraclass correlation coefficient, 0.745-0.925). Diagnostic performance was significantly improved by use of the TA-based model (transition zone AUC, 0.87; peripheral zone AUC, 0.89) in comparison with PI-RADSv2 and other texture parameters alone. For the transition zone, entropy had moderate to good correlation with the Gleason score of high-grade prostate cancer (r = 0.562, p = 0.004). In the peripheral zone, entropy (r = 0.614, p = 0.003) and inertia (r = 0.663, p = 0.002) had moderate to good correlations with Gleason score. CONCLUSION: The results of this clinical study indicate that a TA-based model that includes biparametric MRI can be used for identifying high-grade prostate cancer and that specific parameters extracted from TA may be additional tools for assessing tumor aggressiveness.

Carbon Quantum Dots/TiOx Electron Transport Layer Boosts Efficiency of Planar Heterojunction Perovskite Solar Cells to 19.

In planar n-i-p heterojunction perovskite solar cells, the electron transport layer (ETL) plays important roles in charge extraction and determine the morphology of the perovskite film. Here, we report a solution-processed carbon quantum dots (CQDs)/TiO2 composite that has negligible absorption in the visible spectral range, a very attractive feature for perovskite solar cells. Using this novel CQDs/TiO2 ETL in conjunction with a planar n-i-p heterojunction, we achieved an unprecedented efficiency of ∼19% under standard illumination test conditions. It was found that a CQDs/TiO2 combination increases both the open circuit voltage and short-circuits current density as compared to using TiO2 alone. Various advanced spectroscopic characterizations including ultrafast spectroscopy, ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy, and electronic impedance spectroscopy elucidate that the CQDs increases the electronic coupling between the CH3NH3PbI3-xClx and TiO2 ETL interface as well as energy levers that contribute to electron extraction.

Removal of boron from wastewater: Evaluation of seven poplar clones for B accumulation and tolerance.

Boron (B) contamination of wastewater is a serious environmental and health problem, which has proved difficult to remediate. One potential approach is phytoremediation, i.e., the use of plants to extract B into the shoot systems, which can then be harvested and removed. The purpose of this study was to investigate the ability of seven hybrid poplar clones to accumulate and tolerate B at different levels of B and salinity. The clones were grown in quarter strength Hoagland's nutrient solution and exposed to four B treatments: 0.25, 25, 75 and 125 mg B L-1 in factorial combination with three salinity treatments: 0, 0.5 and 5 g L-1. Measurements were made of biomass (dry weight) and B concentrations (analyzed by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy) of plant tissues. The results showed that, with increasing level of B supply, the B concentrations in the shoot tissue of the poplar clones increased, while shoot biomass decreased. Comparison of the seven different poplar clones revealed that the clone designated 195-529 exhibited the greatest ability for B accumulation and tolerance. Generally, the 0.5 g L-1 level of salinity was beneficial for poplar growth and B removal, while the high salinity level of 5 g L-1 significantly inhibited poplar growth and B translocation from roots to shoots. Based on the results obtained with this hydroponic system, the clone 195-529 (P. trichocarpa × P. deltoides) is likely to be the most useful for the removal of B from B contaminated wastewater.

Cadmium (Cd) Localization in Tissues of Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), and Its Phytoremediation Potential for Cd-Contaminated Soils.

Phytoremediation using economically valuable, large biomass, non-edible plants is a promising method for metal-contaminated soils. This study investigated cotton's tolerance for Cd and remediation potential through analyzing Cd bioaccumulation and localization in plant organs under different soil Cd levels. Results showed cotton presents good tolerance when soil Cd concentration ≤20.26 mg kg(-1). Cotton had good Cd accumulation ability under low soil Cd levels (<1.26 mg kg(-1)), with a TF value (the ratio of Cd concentration in stem to root) above 1. Energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis indicated cotton leaf transpiration played a key role in extracting soil Cd, while roots and stems were the main compartments of Cd storage. Cd complexation to other organic constituents in root and stem cell sap could be a primary detoxifying strategy. Therefore, cotton is a potential candidate for phytoremediation of Cd-contaminated soils.

Comparative study of heavy metals in "soil-wheat" systems between sewage-irrigated areas and clean-water-irrigated areas in suburban Beijing.

After years of irrigating farmland with wastewater, concern is increasing about health risks from heavy metals contaminating wheat grown in sewage-irrigated soils in suburban areas of Beijing, China. The study discussed in this article aimed to compare the characteristics of heavy metal distribution in a sewage-irrigated "soil-wheat" system with those from a clean-water-irrigated area by collecting and analyzing samples from both areas. The results indicated that the average concentrations of copper, chromium, lead, and zinc in sewage-irrigated soil were higher than the values in the clean-water-irrigated region. Irrigation with wastewater could lead to increased bioconcentration factors. Therefore, issues of food contamination caused by sewage irrigation deserve more attention.

Accumulation and localization of cadmium in potato (Solanum tuberosum) under different soil Cd levels.

Phytoavailability and uptake mechanism of Cd in edible plant tissues grown on metal polluted agricultural soils has become a growing concern worldwide. Uptake, transport, accumulation and localization of cadmium in potato organs under different soil Cd levels were investigated using inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry and energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis. Results indicated that Cd contents in potato organs increased with increasing soil Cd concentrations, and the order of Cd contents in different organs was leaves > stems/roots > tubers. Root-to-stem Cd translocation coefficients ranged from 0.89 to 1.81. Cd localization in potato tissues suggested that leaves and stems should be the main compartment of Cd storage and uptake. Although low concentrations of Cd migrated from the root to tuber, Cd accumulation in the tuber exceeded the standard for food security. Therefore, the planting of potato plants in farmland containing Cd should be closely evaluated due to its potential to present health risks.

[Total contents of heavy metals and their chemical fractionation in agricultural soils at different locations of Beijing City].

In this study, 23 groups of suited typical soil-wheat grain samples were collected from different locations of Beijing city (central city, suburban plain and exurban plain), the accumulation, chemical forms and bioavailability of heavy metals in arable soils under different human activity intensity were analyzed, and their source identifications and health risk were discussed. The results showed that (1) Urban soils exhibited Pb contamination with an average concentration (35.59 mg x kg(-1)) above the WHO limit, probably due to the emission of traffic activities and industrial processes. In addition, long-term sewage irrigation and other agricultural activities led to local metal contamination in the suburban agricultural soils. (2) Cu, Zn and Pb were predominantly associated with the residual (35%-75%) and organic (23%-53%) fractions, followed by Fe/Mn oxide (1%-19%), and very small proportion of carbonate (n. d.-5%) and exchangeable (n. d.-2%) fraction. Furthermore, compared with the suburban agricultural soils, Pb, Zn and Cu in the urban agricultural soils showed higher mobility, whereas the exurban agricultural soils presented the lowest mobility. For Cd, the order was contrary. Besides, Cd showed the highest bioavailability among the four metals in suburban and exurban arable soils due to its considerable proportion of exchangeable (13% -31%) and carbonate fractions (11%-27%). (3) Cd and Zn contents in wheat grains were largely dependent on the Fe/Mn ox. fractions in the studied soils (P < 0.05, r were 0.43-0.7). (4) Pb and Zn concentrations in wheat grains in some of the urban and suburban agricultural soils were above the standard limit, which might bring potential risk for the health of the local residents.

Effect of cadmium on the physiological parameters and the subcellular cadmium localization in the potato (Solanum tuberosum L.).

The pollution of agricultural soils with cadmium (Cd) has become a serious problem worldwide. The potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) was used to investigate how different concentrations of Cd (1, 5, and 25mgkg(-1)) affected the physiological parameters and the subcellular distribution of Cd in the potato. The analyses were conducted using scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX). The results suggest that the leaf is the organ with the highest accumulation of Cd. The malondialdehyde (MDA) content increased and the chlorophyll content decreased in response to high level of Cd. The SEM-EDX microanalysis revealed that Cd was primarily deposited in the spongy and palisade tissues of the leaf. Furthermore, Cd was also detected in the cortex and the adjacent phloem and was observed inside the intercellular space, the interior surface of the plasma membrane, and on the surface of the elliptical starch granules in the tubers of the potato. Although low concentrations of Cd migrated from the root to the tuber, the accumulation of Cd in the tuber exceeded the standard for food security. Therefore, the planting of potato plants in farmland containing Cd should be seriously evaluated because Cd-containing potatoes might present high health risk to humans.

Accumulation and phytoavailability of hexachlorocyclohexane isomers and cadmium in Allium sativum L. under the stress of hexachlorocyclohexane and cadmium.

The effects of Cd and HCHs with single and combined forms on Cd and HCHs phytoavailability of Allium sativum L. were investigated. The results indicated that the coexistence of Cd and HCHs presented antagonistic interactions mostly, which might be partly due to the formation of Cd-HCHs complex, compared with single stress. The bioaccumulation of Cd and HCHs in plants depended largely on their concentrations applied in pot soils, and the phytoavailability of HCH isomers was in the sequence: δ- > γ- ≥ ß- > α-HCH.