Enhanced axon outgrowth of spinal motor neurons in co-culturing with dorsal root ganglions antagonizes the growth inhibitory environment.

Introduction: Forming a bridge made of functional axons to span the lesion is essential to reconstruct the motor circuitry following spinal cord injury (SCI). Dorsal root ganglion (DRG) axons are robust in axon growth and have been proved to facilitate the growth of cortical neurons in a process of axon-facilitated axon regeneration. However, whether DRG transplantation affects the axon outgrowth of spinal motor neurons (SMNs) that play crucial roles in motor circuitry remains unclear. Methods: We investigated the axonal growth patterns of co-cultured DRGs and SMN aggregates (SMNAs) taking advantage of a well-designed 3D-printed in vitro system. Chondroitin sulphate proteoglycans (CSPG) induced inhibitory matrix was introduced to imitate the inhibitory environment following SCI. Axonal lengths of DRG, SMNA or DRG & SMNA cultured on the permissive or CSPG induced inhibitory matrix were measured and compared. Results: Our results indicated that under the guidance of full axonal connection generated from two opposing populations of DRGs, SMNA axons were growth-enhanced and elongated along the DRG axon bridge to distances that they could not otherwise reach. Quantitatively, the co-culture increased the SMNA axonal length by 32.1 %. Moreover, the CSPG matrix reduced the axonal length of DRGs and SMNAs by 46.2 % and 17.7 %, respectively. This inhibitory effect was antagonized by the co-culture of DRGs and SMNAs. Especially for SMNAs, they extended the axons across the CSPG-coating matrix, reached the lengths close to those of SMNAs cultured on the permissive matrix alone. Conclusions: This study deepens our understanding of axon-facilitated reconstruction of the motor circuitry. Moreover, the results support SCI treatment utilizing the enhanced outgrowth of axons to restore functional connectivity in SCI patients.

[Comparison of Enrichment and Transport of Cadmium in the Fruit of High and Low Enrichment Pepper Varieties and Its Distribution in Subcells].

Peppers are a high Cd-enriched vegetable. On the basis of a preliminary screening experiment of 91 pepper varieties and soil culture experiments during the entire growth period of 26 varieties, a high Cd variety (X15), medium Cd variety (X39), and two low varieties (X45 and X55) were selected to study the effect of different cadmium levels (0, 5, and 10 mg·kg-1 Cd) on enrichment, transport, and accumulation as well as its subcellular distribution and chemical form. Based on the results, 5 mg·kg-1 and 10 mg·kg-1 of Cd inhibited shoot dry weights of four pepper varieties but increased the root dry weights of X15, X45, and X55 varieties. Sodium chloride-bound cadmium and acetate-bound cadmium are the main forms of cadmium in the pepper fruits. Subcellular cadmium concentrations in the roots, leaves, and fruits of pepper plants were ranked in order cytoplasm > cell wall > organelle, and in the stems the order was cell wall > cytoplasm > organelle. Cd compartmentalization plays an important role in pepper resistance to cadmium stress. Under dosages of 5 mg·kg-1 Cd and 10 mg·kg-1 Cd, Cd concentrations in stems and leaves were ranked in order X39 > X15 > X55 > X45, with fruit Cd concentrations ranked in order X15 > X39 > X55 > X45. The Cd concentration was lowest in the roots of X15 whereas this variety has the highest concentrations in its fruit. The Cd concentrations in the roots, stems, and leaves of X39 were the highest among the four varieties whereas the concentration in the fruit was lower than in the X15 variety. The concentration of Cd in pepper fruits depends on the Cd transport capacity redistribution ability to the shoots.

[Biological Effect of Tetracycline Antibiotics on a Soil-Lettuce System and Its Migration Degradation Characteristics].

Residual tetracycline antibiotics (TCs) in farmland soils with the application of livestock manure cause risks to the growth of vegetables and soil ecology. Here, pot experiments are carried out using through exogenous addition of different levels of oxytetracycline (OTC), tetracycline (TC), and chlortetracycline (CTC), to study the physiological toxicity, uptake, and transportation of TCs in lettuce. The subsequent degradation of TCs in soil was also evaluated along with analyses of soil enzyme activity and microbial population dynamics. The results showed that the biomass of lettuce decreased with application of TCs as well as the chlorophyll-a, chlorophyll-b, and carotenoid content. Consequently, net photosynthetic rates were inhibited, and SOD, POD, and CAT increased under the stress imposed by the TCs. With an increase in the level of TC application, uptake by lettuce plants increased while the bioconcentration and translocation factors decreased. When OTC, TC, and CTC in the soil were below 150 mg·kg-1, the health risk from the edible parts of lettuce was low (HQ<0.1). The TC degradation rate in different soils was ranked in the order of control soil > rhizosphere soil > bulk soil. The OTC degradation rates in the soils were significantly lower than for TC and CTC. TCs (150-1350 mg·kg-1) significantly inhibited urease and rhizosphere catalase activity in soil and reduced the number of soil culturable bacteria and fungi.

[Ecological Risk Assessment of Tetracycline Antibiotics in Livestock Manure and Vegetable Soil of Chongqing].

The residue of new organic pollutant antibiotics in the environment and their risks to the ecological environment have become important research issues at home and abroad. China is the largest country of antibiotic production and antibiotic use. Tetracycline antibiotics (TCs) have been used in large quantities, and they also have the highest residue in animal manure. Tetracycline antibiotics in animal manure are easily accumulated in the soil, and disturb the soil microbial community; furthermore, they are absorbed by crops and remain in agricultural products, thereby threatening human health and ecological security. At present, the pollution of antibiotics in animal manure and soil of southwest China has not been reported. An investigation and analysis were conducted to evaluate the environmental ecological risks of three agricultural tetracycline antibiotics [oxytetracycline (OTC), tetracycline (TC), and chlortetracycline (CTC)] in livestock manure of large farms and soil of main vegetable base in chongqing. The results showed that the average contents of OTC, TC, CTC, and TCs ∑TCs in pig and chicken manure in 2014 was 13.05, 91.81, 62.48, 167.34 mg ·kg-1, and 4.25, 4.60, 28.55, 37.40 mg ·kg-1, respectively. The average contents of OTC,TC,CTC, and ∑TCs in pig and chicken manure in 2019 were 3.39, 4.82, 5.92, 15.95 mg ·kg-1, and 1.10, 1.35, 4.22, 5.16 mg ·kg-1, respectively. The content of TCs in livestock and poultry manure of Chongqing in 2019 decreased significantly as compared to that in 2014. The ecological risk of TCs in chicken manure was lower than that in pig manure, and the ecological risk of TCs in livestock manure in 2019 was significantly lower than that in 2014. Moreover, the risk quotient was in the order of CTC > OTC > TC. The average contents of OTC,TC,CTC, and ∑TCs in the soil of the main vegetable bases and surrounding areas in Chongqing were 18.92, 39.10, 21.80, and 79.81 µg ·kg-1, respectively. The content of TCs was in the order of vegetable field near the farm > pollution-free vegetable base > common vegetable field. In the vegetable field near the farm, the content of TCs in open vegetable field was generally higher than that in greenhouse field. In contrast, in the pollution-free vegetable base, the content of TCs in the greenhouse field was higher than that in the pen field. The ecological risk quotients (HQ values) of TCs in the vegetable field were lower than 1 under various planting modes. The HQ values of the three TCs were in the order of CTC > OTC > TC. The content of ∑TCs in soil was in the order of leaves > melons > solanoids > legumes. The difference in contents of soil TCs was found in different vegetable fields with different vegetable types, and it may be related to the different vegetable cultivation patterns, type, and amount of livestock manure.

[Effects of Nano-magnesium Hydroxide on the Forms of Cadmium in Different Types of Soil].

The effects of nano-magnesium hydroxide and common magnesium hydroxide (100, 200, and 300 mg·kg-1) on the forms of cadmium in different types of cadmium contaminated soils (1, 5, 10, and 15 mg·kg-1) were studied under 28 days of continuous culture experiment. In the neutral soil, during the 28 days of culture, soil exchange Cd (EX-Cd) form distribution ratio (FDC) decreased at first and then increased with the culture time increasing under treatment of 1, 5, 10, and 15 mg·kg-1 Cd. The minima of soil EX-Cd FDC were found on the 14th day under 1 mg·kg-1 Cd and 5 mg·kg-1 Cd treatments, whereas the minima of soil EX-Cd FDC were observed on the 4th day under 10 mg·kg-1 Cd and 15 mg·kg-1 Cd treatments. The FDC of soil carbonate bound Cd (CAB-Cd), iron manganese oxidized Cd (FeMn-Cd), and organic bound Cd (OM-Cd) increased at first, then decreased, and finally, became stable, and the maxima of soil CAB-Cd, FeMn-Cd, and OM-Cd FDC were found on the 4th day, whereas the minima of soil CAB-Cd, FeMn-Cd, and OM-Cd FDC were observed on the 14th day. Soil residual Cd (RES-Cd) FDC increased gradually and then tended to becomes stable during the 28 days of culture. The soil EX-Cd FDC was 66.7%-81.8% at 1, 5, 10, and 15 mg·kg-1 Cd treatments, which was the main form of the soil. The FDC of soil Cd forms was in the order of EX-Cd > CAB-Cd > RES-Cd > FeMn-Cd > OM-Cd. Soil EX-Cd FDC reached the lowest value on the 14th Day. Soil EX-Cd FDC was reduced by nano-magnesium hydroxide and common magnesium hydroxide, and it decreased with the increase of the amount of magnesium hydroxide. During 0-28 days of culture, the soil EX-Cd FDC decreased by 11.4%-67.7%, 7.8%-37.2%, 7.7%-36.4%, 5.0%-28.8% (nano-magnesium hydroxide) and 0.5%-49.5%, 0.6%-15.0%, 1.0%-18.1%, 0.7%-14.6% (ordinary magnesium hydroxide) at 1, 5, 10, and 15 mg·kg-1 Cd treatments, respectively. The EX-Cd content of alkaline soil reached the lowest value on the 7th day of culture, and the EX-Cd content of acidic soil reached the lowest value on the 21st day under 1, 5, and 10 mg·kg-1 Cd treatments. The content of EX-Cd in neutral, acidic, and alkaline soils decreased with the increase of magnesium hydroxide content, and the content of EX-Cd in soil decreased with the increase of magnesium hydroxide amount. At the same amount, the effect of passivating soil EX-Cd under nanometer magnesium hydroxide treatment was superior to ordinary magnesium hydroxide treatment.

Intrathoracic infusion therapy with Lentinan and chemical irritants for malignant pleural effusion: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 65 randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Aderivative of Shiitake mushrooms, Lentinan is used to control malignant pleural effusion (MPE) through intrathoracic infusion. PURPOSE: To determine the clinical response, survival and safety of Lentinan plus chemical irritants, and the optimal combinations with chemical irritants, indication, threshold and optimal regimen for achieving the desired responses. STUDY DESIGN: We performed a new systematic review and meta-analysis following the PRISMA guidelines. METHODS: We collected all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) regarding Lentinan plus chemical irritants from Chinese and English electronic databases (from inception until March 2019). We evaluated their bias risk, synthesized data using meta-analysis, and summarized evidence quality following the Grades of Recommendation Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach. RESULTS: We included 65 RCTs involving 4,080 patients and nine chemical irritants. Most trials had unclear bias risk. Lentinan with cisplatin significantly improved complete response [Risk ratio (RR) = 1.68, 95% confidence intervals (CI) (1.51 to 1.87), p < 0.00001, Fig.3a] and quality of life [RR = 1.51 95% CI (1.41 to 1.62), p < 0.00001, Fig.4], and decreased the risk of treatment failure, myelosuppression, gastrointestinal reaction, and chest pain. For patients with moderate to large volume of the pleural effusion, primary treatment, KPS score ≥ 50-60, or anticipated survival time ≥ 3months, Lentinan (3-4 mg/time, once a week for three to four times) withcisplatin (30-40 mg/m2 or 50-60 mg/m2) significantly improved complete response and decreased failure. Most results were robust and moderate quality. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that Lentinan with chemical irritants, especially cisplatin is beneficial to the patient with MPE, and provide evidence for the indication, threshold, and optimal regimen that may achieve success and decrease failure.

Analysis of early renal injury in COVID-19 and diagnostic value of multi-index combined detection

ObjectivesThe aim of the study was to analyze the incidence of COVID-19 with early renal injury, and to explore the value of multi-index combined detection in diagnosis of early renal injury in COVID-19. DesignThe study was an observational, descriptive study. SettingThis study was carried out in a tertiary hospital in Guangdong, China. Participants12 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 from January 20, 2020 to February 20, 2020. Primary and secondary outcome measuresThe primary outcome was to evaluate the incidence of early renal injury in COVID-19. In this study, the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), endogenous creatinine clearance (Ccr) and urine microalbumin / urinary creatinine ratio (UACR) were calculated to assess the incidence of early renal injury. Secondary outcomes were the diagnostic value of urine microalbumin (UMA), 1-microglobulin (A1M), urine immunoglobulin-G (IGU), urine transferring (TRU) alone and in combination in diagnosis of COVID-19 with early renal injury. ResultsWhile all patients had no significant abnormalities in serum creatinine (Scr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN), the abnormal rates of eGFR, Ccr, and UACR were 66.7%, 41.7%, and 41.7%, respectively. Urinary microprotein detection indicated that the area under curve (AUC) of multi-index combined to diagnose early renal injury in COVID-19 was 0.875, which was higher than UMA (0,813), A1M (0.813), IGU (0.750) and TRU (0.750) alone. Spearman analysis showed that the degree of early renal injury was significantly related to C-reactive protein (CRP) and neutrophil ratio (NER), suggesting that the more severe the infection, the more obvious the early renal injury. Hypokalemia and hyponatremia were common in patients with COVID-19, and there was a correlation with the degree of renal injury. ConclusionsEarly renal injury was common in patients with COVID-19. Combined detection of UMA, A1M, IGU, and TRU was helpful for the diagnosis of early renal injury in COVID-19.

The Hepatorenal Toxicity and Tumor Response of Chemotherapy With or Without Aidi Injection in Advanced Lung Cancer: A Meta-Analysis of 80 Randomized Controlled Trials.

PURPOSE: Chemotherapy-induced hepatorenal toxicity often decreases tolerance for further therapies and results in poor quality of life and prognosis for patients with lung cancer. In this meta-analysis, all related studies were systematically re-evaluated to determine whether Aidi injection relieves hepatorenal toxicity and improves tumor response, and to determine its threshold and the optimal treatment regimen for obtaining the desired responses. METHODS: All studies regarding Aidi injection with chemotherapy were gathered from Chinese and English databases (from inception until January 2019). Their bias risk was evaluated and the data were synthesized using meta-analysis; the quality of evidence of all outcomes was rated by using the Grades of Recommendation Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach. FINDINGS: Eighty randomized controlled trials containing 6279 patients were included in the study. Most of the trials showed unclear risk of bias. Aidi injection with chemotherapy increased the objective response rate (risk ratio [RR], 1.32; 95% CI, 1.25-1.40) and the disease control rate (RR, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.12-1.17) and resulted in a lower incidence of hepatotoxicity (RR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.55-0.69) and nephrotoxicity (RR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.53-0.72) than that of chemotherapy alone. Subgroup analyses showed that treatment with 50 mL per time, 10 to 14 days per cycle, and 2 to 3 cycles of Aidi injection with chemotherapy resulted in a low incidence of hepatorenal toxicity. All of the results were robust, and their quality was moderate. IMPLICATIONS: The moderate evidence indicates that Aidi injection with chemotherapy may improve tumor response and result in a low incidence of hepatorenal toxicity in patients with lung cancer. Aidi injection may relieve hepatorenal toxicity and exhibit an important protective effect against chemotherapy-induced hepatorenal toxicity. Based on the subgroup analysis results, Aidi injection seems to lower the threshold for chemotherapy. Treatment with 50 mL per time, 10 to 14 days per cycle, and 2 to 3 cycles may be the optimal usage for attaining a decrease in hepatorenal toxicity.

Histological and functional outcomes in a rat model of hemisected spinal cord with sustained VEGF/NT-3 release from tissue-engineered grafts.

Microvascular disturbance, excessive inflammation and gliosis are key pathophysiologic changes in relation to functional status following the traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). Continuous release of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) to the lesion site was proved be able to promote the vascular remodelling, whereas the effects on reduction of inflammation and gliosis remain unclear. Currently, aiming at exploring the synergistic roles of VEGF and neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) on angiogenesis, anti-inflammation and neural repair, we developed a technique to co-deliver VEGF165 and NT-3 locally with a homotopic graft of tissue-engineered acellular spinal cord scaffold (ASCS) in a hemisected (3 mm in length) SCI model. As the potential in secretion of growth factors (GFs), bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) were introduced with the aim to enhance the VEGF/NT-3 release. Our data demonstrate that sustained VEGF/NT-3 release from ASCS significantly increases the local levels of VEGF/NT-3 and angiogenesis, regardless of whether it is in combination with BMSCs transplantation that exhibits positive effects on anti-inflammation, axonal outgrowth and locomotor recovery. This study verifies that co-delivery of VEGF/NT-3 reduces inflammation and gliosis in the hemisected spinal cord, promotes axonal outgrowth and results in better locomotor recovery, while the BMSCs transplantation facilitates these functions limitedly.

[Differences in the Cadmium-Enrichment Capacity and Subcellular Distribution and Chemical Form of Cadmium in Different Varieties of Pepper].

In a preliminary experiment, 91 pepper varieties were screened, and one variety each with high Cd accumulation (X55), medium Cd accumulation (Daguo 99), and low Cd accumulation (Luojiao 318) were selected to study the effect of different cadmium levels (0, 5, and 10 mg·kg-1 Cd) on cadmium migration and enrichment ability, and its subcellular distribution and chemical form. The results showed that under the stress of Cd, shoot dry weight of pepper plants was in the order X55>17>27. At the same level of Cd, the Cd transfer coefficient of fruit was 17>27 and X55. Cadmium concentrations in each subcellular component of the pepper fruits were 27 > 17 > X55. Cadmium concentration in subcellular component of the roots, stems, leaves, and fruits of the pepper plants was in order of cell wall (F1) > organelle (F2) > cell soluble component (F3). Cadmium was limited in cell wall and plays an important role in detoxification mechanism and resistance of Cd in pepper plants. The morphological content of various Cd forms in the pepper fruits of the three varieties increased with the increase of Cd treatment level, in the order CdNaCl > CdHAC > CdR > CdHCl > CdW > CdE. CdNaCl and CdHAC account for a large proportion of Cd in pepper fruits, which may be an important defense mechanism for reducing the biological toxicity of Cd.

[Effects of Tetracycline Antibiotics on Growth and Characteristics of Enrichment and Transformation in Two Vegetables].

Pot experiments were carried out to study different levels (0, 50, and 150 mg·kg-1) of three tetracycline antibiotics[tetracycline (TC), oxytetracycline (OTC), and chlortetracycline (CTC)] on the growth, concentration of tetracycline antibiotics, and their characteristics of enrichment and transformation in two kinds of vegetables (lettuce and Chinese cabbage). The results showed that the fresh weight of shoots and roots of lettuce decreased by 1.56%-26.84% and 17.36%-51.04%, respectively, when exposed to tetracycline antibiotics compared to the control, while the fresh weight of shoots and roots of Chinese cabbage increased by 3.7%-7.3% and 3.1%-82.2%, respectively. The stomatal conductance (Gs) and transpiration rate (Tr) of lettuce and cabbage increased when exposed to tetracycline antibiotics, while the net photosynthetic rate (Pn) of lettuce decreased by 32.43%-82.43% at 150 mg·kg-1 of TC compared to the control. Compared to the control, the activities of SOD in lettuce and cabbage decreased 29.17%-223.12% when exposed to tetracycline antibiotics, and the lowest activities of SOD in lettuce and cabbage were found in OTC treatments. The highest content of MDA in lettuce and cabbage was observed at 150 mg·kg-1 of TC (except for lettuce leaves). The contents of tetracycline antibiotics in the shoots and underground portions of Chinese cabbage were higher than that of lettuce, and higher contents of tetracycline antibiotics in vegetables were found with the CTC treatments. The residual amount of antibiotics in lettuce soil was higher than that in the Chinese cabbage soil, and the highest residual amount in the soil was observed with the OTC treatment. The bioconcentration factors (BCF) and transport factor (TF) of Chinese cabbage were, respectively, 1.07-7.35 and 1.15-2.25 times that of lettuce. OTC and CTC were more easily concentrated in the two vegetables. Therefore, OTC and CTC may bring a higher ecological risk.

Chlamydia trachomatis, Ureaplasma urealyticum and Neisseria gonorrhoeae among Chinese women with urinary tract infections in Shanghai: A community-based cross-sectional study.

AIM: This study explored chlamydia trachomatis (CT), ureaplasma urealyticum (UU) and/or neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) in 5893 women with urinary tract infections (UTIs) in Shanghai. METHODS: From January 2009 to December 2014, 5893 women with UTIs in Shanghai were selected to undergo CT, UU and NG detection. Baseline characteristics including age, education level, occupation, reproductive history, sexual behavior and contraceptive method were obtained for epidemiological analysis. RESULTS: The total CT, UU and/or NG infection rate in the urine samples of 5893 patients was 50.69% (2987/5893), while the infection rate in vaginal secretion samples was 56.22% (3313/5893). The two detection methods were consistent. Patients aged 21-30, service personnel and unemployed persons had the highest rates of CT, UU and/or NG infection, while patients with higher education levels exhibited lower rates. As the number of previous pregnancies, natural births, abortions, sexual partners and the frequency of sexual intercourse increased, the rates of CT, UU and/or NG infection were elevated. Sexual intercourse during the menstruation period, a lack of cleaning before sexual intercourse and the use of intrauterine devices could all lead to an increased rate of CT, UU and/or NG infection. CONCLUSIONS: These data revealed that the rate of CT, UU and/or NG infection may be associated with age, education level, occupation, reproductive history, sexual behavior and type of contraceptive method in female patients with UTI in Shanghai.

Acellular Spinal Cord Scaffold Implantation Promotes Vascular Remodeling with Sustained Delivery of VEGF in a Rat Spinal Cord Hemisection Model.

BACKGROUND: Promoting angiogenesis provides a possible therapeutic approach in treating spinal cord injury (SCI). Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a pro-angiogenic substance that is involved in endothelial cell (EC) proliferation, migration, and survival. Exogenous administration of VEGF to the lesion epicenter of the spinal cord has been recently revealed as a potential method for promoting the blood vessel sprouting. METHODS: Spinal cord hemisection in a rat model was established and angiogenesis was studied through implant of an acellular spinal cord scaffold (ASCS) with sustained delivery of VEGF₁₆₅. The poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) encapsulating VEGF₁₆₅ were fabricated on basis of an emulsion and solvent evaporation method and conjugated to ASCS by a Genipin (GP) crosslinking technology. The resultant scaffolds were marked as V-ASCS. VEGF₁₆₅ entrapment efficiency (EE) and released kinetics were determined by an ultraviolet absorption measurement. Angiogenesis and vascular remodeling were observed via a high-resolution micro-CT and analyzed quantitatively by vascular morphometric parameters. Spinal cord histology and Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) locomotor rating scale were further studied. RESULTS: VEGF₁₆₅ was entrapped with high efficiency (90.8±3.1) %. In vitro VEGF₁₆₅ release kinetics study showed an initial burst of 1.966 µg mg NPs-1 and 1.045µg mg V-ASCS-1 respectively in the first 24 hours. In the phase of sustained release, approximately 0.040µg mg NPs-1 and 0.022µg mg V-ASCS-1 per day was on-going until 720h. In the rat spinal cord hemisection model, implant of V-ASCS at the injured site showed a promotion of angiogenesis and vascular remodeling following SCI. A better outcome can be confirmed histologically. However, functional improvement is limited in the animal model. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that progress of vascular reconstruction is accelerated in the V-ASCS implanted SCI rats.

[Effect of Nano Zeolites on pH, CEC in Soil and Cd Fractions in Plant and Soil at Different Cadmium Levels].

Soil incubation experiment and pot experiment were carried out to investigate the influence of nano zeolite (NZ) and ordinary zeolite (OZ) on the soil pH, cation exchange capacity, concentration of soil Cd, soil Cd fraction and Cd uptake by Chinese cabbage when exposed to different Cd pollution levels(1, 5, 10 and 15 mg·kg-1). The results of soil incubation experiment showed that the nano zeolite and ordinary zeolite dose(5, 10 and 20 g·kg-1) increased the soil pH and cation exchange capacity, and decreased the concentration of soil exchangeable Cd, while increased the concentration of Cd in carbonate, Fe-Mn oxide, organic matter and residual fraction. The lowest EX-Cd was observed in the high nano zeolite (20 g·kg-1) treatment. The soil pH and cation exchange capacity was extremely negatively correlated with the concentration of soil exchangeable Cd(P<0.01),and extremely positively correlated with the concentration of soil Fe-Mn oxide Cd(P<0.01). The results of pot experiment showed that the FDC of exchangeable Cd in soil decreased by 6.4%-63.2%, and the FDC of water-extractable and ethnol-extractable Cd in Chinese cabbage decreased by 2.1%-56% and 11.8%-100% with zeolite application, respectively. Moreover, the reduction effect of nano zeolite on Cd concentration in soil and plant was better than that of ordinary zeolite. The FDC of Cd fraction in shoot of Chinese cabbage showed correlation with the FDC of carbonate Cd and organic matter Cd in soil(P<0.05) when exposed to 1 mg·kg-1 Cd pollution. Moreover, correlation was also found in the FDC of organic matter Cd and residual Cd in soil(P<0.05) under 5 mg·kg-1 Cd pollution.

[Effect of Nano Zeolite on Growth, Activity of Antioxidant Enzyme, and Chemical Fractions and Concentration of Cd in Chinese Cabbage].

Pot experiment was carried out to investigate the influence of nano zeolite (NZ) and ordinary zeolite (OZ) on the growth, activities of antioxidant enzyme, Cd fraction and Cd concentration in two varieties of Chinese cabbage. The results showed that the activities of SOD, CAT and POD in the shoot and root of two varieties increased, and the dry weight of shoot and the total dry weight of Chinese cabbage increased by 4.5%-96.5% and 3.4%-88.4%, respectively. The application of zeolite effectively reduced the Cd concentration of shoot and root in the two varieties of Chinese cabbage, and the reduction range increased with the increase of the application amount of zeolite. Under the low Cd condition (1mg·kg-1 Cd), the Cd concentration of edible parts (shoots) in SD4 variety and XJC3 variety decreased by 1.0%-75.0% and 19.5%-68.9% (except the Cd1+OZ5/OZ10 processing), respectively. Under the high Cd condition (5 mg·kg-1 Cd), the Cd concentration of the edible parts (shoots) in SD4 variety and XJC3 variety decreased by 7.2%-53.2%(except Cd5+OZ10 processing) and 0.7%-63.0%, respectively. The Cd concentrations of the edible parts (shoots) in tow varieties of Chinese cabbage in the nano zeolite treatments decreased by 10.5%-65.7% compared with the ordinary zeolite treatments. In Cd contaminated soils (1 mg·kg-1 and 5 mg·kg-1 Cd),) the total extraction amount of Cd in the edible parts (shoots) of SD4 variety reduced by 12.4%-68.8% and 13.2%-55.6% (except of Cd5+OZ5 processing), and the total extraction amount of Cd in the edible parts (shoots) of XJC3 variety reduced by 9.4%-71.5% and 3.1%-38.7% (except of Cd1+OZ5 processing), respectively. The application amount of nano zeolite (NZ) and ordinary zeolite (OZ) was more, the reduction range of the total extraction amount of Cd in the edible parts (shoots) of two varieties of Chinese cabbage was greater.

Super-elastic and fatigue resistant carbon material with lamellar multi-arch microstructure.

Low-density compressible materials enable various applications but are often hindered by structure-derived fatigue failure, weak elasticity with slow recovery speed and large energy dissipation. Here we demonstrate a carbon material with microstructure-derived super-elasticity and high fatigue resistance achieved by designing a hierarchical lamellar architecture composed of thousands of microscale arches that serve as elastic units. The obtained monolithic carbon material can rebound a steel ball in spring-like fashion with fast recovery speed (∼580 mm s-1), and demonstrates complete recovery and small energy dissipation (∼0.2) in each compress-release cycle, even under 90% strain. Particularly, the material can maintain structural integrity after more than 106 cycles at 20% strain and 2.5 × 105 cycles at 50% strain. This structural material, although constructed using an intrinsically brittle carbon constituent, is simultaneously super-elastic, highly compressible and fatigue resistant to a degree even greater than that of previously reported compressible foams mainly made from more robust constituents.

Health Effect of Forest Bathing Trip on Elderly Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Forest bathing trip is a short, leisurely visit to forest. In this study we determined the health effects of forest bathing trip on elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The patients were randomly divided into two groups. One group was sent to forest, and the other was sent to an urban area as control. Flow cytometry, ELISA, and profile of mood states (POMS) evaluation were performed. In the forest group, we found a significant decrease of perforin and granzyme B expressions, accompanied by decreased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and stress hormones. Meanwhile, the scores in the negative subscales of POMS decreased after forest bathing trip. These results indicate that forest bathing trip has health effect on elderly COPD patients by reducing inflammation and stress level.

[Effect of Nano Zeolite on Chemical Fractions of Cd in Soil and Uptake by Chinese Cabbage at Different Soil pH and Cadmium Levels].

Incubation experiments were carried out to investigate the influence of different nano zeolite(NZ) and ordinary zeolite(OZ) levels(0, 5, 10 and 20 g·kg-1) on the fraction distribution coefficient (FDC) of Cd and soil CEC at different soil pH (4, 5, 6, 7 and 8) when exposed to different cadmium(Cd) levels(1, 5, 10 and 15 mg·kg-1), and pot experiment were carried out to investigate the effects of nano zeolite(NZ) and ordinary zeolite(OZ) on the growth, Cd concentration and Cd accumulation of Chinese cabbage. The results showed that nano zeolite and ordinary zeolite decreased the concentration and FDC of exchangeable Cd (EX-F), and increased the concentration and FDC of carbonate(CAB-F), Fe-Mn oxide(FMO-F), organic matter (OM-F) and residual fraction(RES-F) in incubation experiments. At the end of incubation, the FDC of soil exchangeable Cd decreased from 72.0%-88.0% to 2.4%-10.7%. The decreasing effect of zeolite on the concentration and FDC of exchangeable Cd (EX-F) increased with the increase of zeolite, and the decreasing effect of nano zeolite (NZ) was better than that of ordinary zeolite (OZ). During the culture of 28 d, the concentration of different Cd fractions in soil was in order of EX-F>RES-F>FMO-F>CAB-F>OM-F under different pH conditions. Exchangeable fraction Cd was the dominant fraction of Cd in soil during the whole incubation. Soil CEC had significant negative correlation with soil exchangeable Cd (EX-F) (P<0.01), and significant positive correlation with the concentrations of Fe-Mn oxide(FMO-F) and organic matter (OM-F) in soil(P<0.01). Nano zeolite and ordinary zeolite effectively increased soil CEC, and soil CEC increased with the increase of the pH value of soil in the zeolite treatments. Significant negative correlation was found in soil pH with soil exchangeable Cd (EX-F)(P<0.01). The dry weight of plant tissues in Chinese cabbage increased by 14.3%-131.4% in the presence of nano zeolite(NZ) and ordinary zeolite(OZ), and Cd concentration of shoot and root decreased by 1.0%-75.0% and 3.8%-53.2%, respectively. Higher concentration and accumulation of Cd were observed in XJC3 variety than those in SD 4 variety. Compared with ordinary zeolite (OZ), nano zeolite (NZ) was better in increasing the biomass of Chinese cabbage as well as decreasing accumulation of Cd in Chinese cabbage.

[Effect of exogenous selenium on accumulation and chemical forms of cadmium in cucumber (Cucumis satiuus L.)].

Pot experiments were carried out to investigate the influence of different selenium (Se) levels (0, 0.5 and 1.0 mg x L(-1)) on the plant growth, concentration of malonaldehyde (MDA), activities of antioxidant enzymes, accumulation and chemical forms of cadmium (Cd) in cucumber when exposed to Cd (20 mg x kg(-1)). The results showed that dry weights of leaf, stem, root, fruit and plant, and concentrations and accumulation of Cd significantly differed between two varieties of cucumber Yanbai and Jinyou 1. With increasing levels of Se, the contents of MDA in the leaves of Yanbai increased, but the contents of MDA in the leaves of Jinyou 1 decreased. The contents of MDA in the roots of Yanbai first increased and then decreased, while the contents of MDA in Jinyou 1 first decreased and then increased. The variation trends of CAT, SOD and POD in the leaves and roots of both varieties were different with increasing levels of Se. The concentrations of different chemical forms of Cd in the fruit decreased after spraying of Se, compared with the control. Cadmium concentrations in the leaves, stem, roots and fruit of both varieties decreased by 3.2%-17.9%, 14.6%-28.2%, 5.1%-18.5% and 60.6%-75.8% in the presence of Se when exposed to Cd. Accumulation of Cd in the plant of both varieties was in order of Jinyou 1 > Yanbai in the presence or absence of Na2SeO3.