The prevalence and characteristics of frailty in cirrhosis patients: a meta-analysis and systematic review.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of frailty in cirrhosis patients and the distribution of age, sex, and body mass index (BMI) in cirrhotic patients with frailty. Methods: We performed a thorough literature search using PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library from inception to 29 February 2024. The estimated prevalence with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated with a random effect model. Subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis were performed to assess the heterogeneity and characterize the distribution of age, sex, and body mass index (BMI) in cirrhotic patients. Publication bias was assessed by the funnel plot, Begg's test, and Egger's test. Results: The 16 included studies, which were all observational, reported a prevalence of frailty in 8,406 cirrhosis patients ranging from 9 to 65%, and the overall estimated prevalence was 27% (95% CI: 21-33%; I2 = 97.7%, P < 0.001). This meta-analysis indicated that the estimated prevalence of frailty in cirrhosis patients was high, and compared to the non-frail cohort, the frail cohort tended to have a higher mean age, with a mean age of 63.3 (95% CI: 59.9, 66.7; Z = 36.48; P < 0.001), and a larger proportion of male patients with worse liver function, with a mean of 73.5% (95% CI: 71.4, 75.5%; Z = 7.65; P < 0.001), ND in the frail cohort, 54.8% (95% CI: 43.1, 66.5%; P < 0.001) and 23.4% (95% CI: 13.2, 33.7%; P < 0.001) were classified into Child-Pugh B and C, respectively. Meanwhile, the patients in the non-frail cohort are more likely to have a higher BMI, with a mean of 28.4 (95% CI: 24.1, 32.7; Z = 13.07; P < 0.001). Conclusion: The current study suggests that cirrhosis patients have a high prevalence of frailty. Compared with the non-frail cohort, the frail patients tend to be male, older, and have a lower BMI with worse liver function.

Integrated multiple microarray studies by robust rank aggregation to identify immune-associated biomarkers in Crohn's disease based on three machine learning methods.

Crohn's disease (CD) is a complex autoimmune disorder presumed to be driven by complex interactions of genetic, immune, microbial and even environmental factors. Intrinsic molecular mechanisms in CD, however, remain poorly understood. The identification of novel biomarkers in CD cases based on larger samples through machine learning approaches may inform the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. A comprehensive analysis was conducted on all CD datasets of Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO); our team then used the robust rank aggregation (RRA) method to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between controls and CD patients. PPI (protein‒protein interaction) network and functional enrichment analyses were performed to investigate the potential functions of the DEGs, with molecular complex detection (MCODE) identifying some important functional modules from the PPI network. Three machine learning algorithms, support vector machine-recursive feature elimination (SVM-RFE), random forest (RF), and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), were applied to determine characteristic genes, which were verified by ROC curve analysis and immunohistochemistry (IHC) using clinical samples. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression were used to establish a machine learning score for diagnosis. Single-sample GSEA (ssGSEA) was performed to examine the correlation between immune infiltration and biomarkers. In total, 5 datasets met the inclusion criteria: GSE75214, GSE95095, GSE126124, GSE179285, and GSE186582. Based on RRA integrated analysis, 203 significant DEGs were identified (120 upregulated genes and 83 downregulated genes), and MCODE revealed some important functional modules in the PPI network. Machine learning identified LCN2, REG1A, AQP9, CCL2, GIP, PROK2, DEFA5, CXCL9, and NAMPT; AQP9, PROK2, LCN2, and NAMPT were further verified by ROC curves and IHC in the external cohort. The final machine learning score was defined as [Expression level of AQP9 × (2.644)] + [Expression level of LCN2 × (0.958)] + [Expression level of NAMPT × (1.115)]. ssGSEA showed markedly elevated levels of dendritic cells and innate immune cells, such as macrophages and NK cells, in CD, consistent with the gene enrichment results that the DEGs are mainly involved in the IL-17 signaling pathway and humoral immune response. The selected biomarkers analyzed by the RRA method and machine learning are highly reliable. These findings improve our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of CD pathogenesis.

A retrospective cohort study of intensive gastric variceal ligation versus endoscopic gastric variceal obturation in the management of gastric variceal bleeding.

BACKGROUND: Gastric variceal bleeding is often more serious and can be fatal. Currently, international consensus recommendations for the treatment of gastric variceal bleeding vary according to endoscopic classification. Few studies have investigated ligation versus gastric variceal obturation (GVO) for the treatment of gastric varices. METHODS: The study included 79 patients with cirrhosis-induced bleeding from esophageal and fundal varices who were treated at the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University between January 2016 and December 2020 and who met the inclusion criteria. Among them, 42 patients were included in the intensive gastric varices ligation (IGVL) group, and 37 were included in the GVO group. We conducted a retrospective cohort study to analyze the effectiveness and safety of these 2 treatments. RESULTS: The rebleeding rate after initial treatment was significantly lower in the IGVL group than in the GVO group (23.8% vs. 48.6%, P<0.05). No significant between-group difference was observed in overall mortality (14.3% vs. 32.4%), 6-week mortality (0.0% vs. 2.7%), or 1-year mortality (11.9% vs. 13.5%, all P>0.05). The >1-year mortality and bleeding-related mortality rates were significantly higher in the GVO group than in the IGVL group (23.3% vs. 2.7%, P<0.05; 27.0% vs. 9.5%, P<0.05). The incidence of adverse events was 57.1% in the IGVL group and 48.6% in the GVO group, with no significant difference (P>0.05). Independent predictors for rebleeding after initial treatment were the use of GVO as endoscopic treatment, total bilirubin >17.1 µmol/L, liver cancer, and diabetes. For mortality, the independent predictors were male sex, liver cancer, ascites, and rebleeding after initial treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Rebleeding after initial treatment was lower after IGVL than GVO. Independent predictors for rebleeding after initial treatment were endoscopic treatment method, total bilirubin >17.1 µmol/L, liver cancer, and diabetes. For mortality, the independent predictors were male sex, liver cancer, ascites, and rebleeding after initial treatment.

Identification of a Ferroptosis-Related Signature Model Including mRNAs and lncRNAs for Predicting Prognosis and Immune Activity in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Ferroptosis is a novel form of regulated cell death involved in tumor progression. The role of ferroptosis-related lncRNAs in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unclear. METHODS: RNA-seq and clinical data for HCC patients were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) Genomic Data Commons (GDC) portal. Bioinformatics methods, including weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA), Cox regression, and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) analysis, were used to identify signature markers for diagnosis/prognosis. The tumor microenvironment, immune infiltration and functional enrichment were compared between the low-risk and high-risk groups. Subsequently, small molecule drugs targeting ferroptosis-related signature components were predicted via the L1000FWD and PubChem databases. RESULTS: The prognostic model consisted of 2 ferroptosis-related mRNAs (SLC1A5 and SLC7A11) and 8 ferroptosis-related lncRNAs (AC245297.3, MYLK-AS1, NRAV, SREBF2-AS1, AL031985.3, ZFPM2-AS1, AC015908.3, MSC-AS1). The areas under the curves (AUCs) were 0.830 and 0.806 in the training and test groups, respectively. Decision curve analysis (DCA) revealed that the ferroptosis-related signature performed better than all pathological characteristics. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that the risk score was an independent prognostic factor. The survival probability of low- and high-risk patients could be clearly distinguished by the principal component analysis (PCA) plot. The risk score divided HCC patients into two distinct groups in terms of immune status, especially checkpoint gene expression, which was further supported by the Gene Ontology (GO) biological process, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis. Finally, several small molecule drugs (SIB-1893, geldanamycin and PD-184352, etc) targeting ferroptosis-related signature components were identified for future reference. CONCLUSION: We constructed a new ferroptosis-related mRNA/lncRNA signature for HCC patients. The model can be used for prognostic prediction and immune evaluation, providing a reference for immunotherapies and targeted therapies.

Integrated Analysis of Multiple Microarray Studies to Identify Novel Gene Signatures in Ulcerative Colitis.

Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic, complicated, inflammatory disease with an increasing incidence and prevalence worldwide. However, the intrinsic molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of UC have not yet been fully elucidated. Methods: All UC datasets published in the GEO database were analyzed and summarized. Subsequently, the robust rank aggregation (RRA) method was used to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between UC patients and controls. Gene functional annotation and PPI network analysis were performed to illustrate the potential functions of the DEGs. Some important functional modules from the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network were identified by molecular complex detection (MCODE), Gene Ontology (GO), and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and analyses were performed. The results of CytoHubba, a plug for integrated algorithm for biomolecular interaction networks combined with RRA analysis, were used to identify the hub genes. Finally, a mouse model of UC was established by dextran sulfate sodium salt (DSS) solution to verify the expression of hub genes. Results: A total of 6 datasets met the inclusion criteria (GSE38713, GSE59071, GSE73661, GSE75214, GSE87466, GSE92415). The RRA integrated analysis revealed 208 significant DEGs (132 upregulated genes and 76 downregulated genes). After constructing the PPI network by MCODE plug, modules with the top three scores were listed. The CytoHubba app and RRA identified six hub genes: LCN2, CXCL1, MMP3, IDO1, MMP1, and S100A8. We found through enrichment analysis that these functional modules and hub genes were mainly related to cytokine secretion, immune response, and cancer progression. With the mouse model, we found that the expression of all six hub genes in the UC group was higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The hub genes analyzed by the RRA method are highly reliable. These findings improve the understanding of the molecular mechanisms in UC pathogenesis.

Influence of conservation tillage on Greenhouse gas fluxes and crop productivity in spring-wheat agroecosystems on the Loess Plateau of China.

The effects of climate change such as dry spells, floods and erosion heavily impact agriculture especially smallholder systems on the Northwestern Loess Plateau of China. Nonetheless agriculture also contributes to global warming through the emission of greenhouse gases such as CO2, CH4 and N2O. Yet this complex conundrum can be alleviated and mitigated through sound soil and water management practices. Despite considerable literature on Conservation Agriculture (CA) as a strategy to improve the resilience and mitigation capacity of agroecosystems, there is still paucity of information on the impacts of CA on crop production and environmental quality on the Plateau. In order to fill this gap this study examined the effects of no-till and straw mulch on crop productivity and greenhouse gas fluxes in agroecosystems on the Plateau where farmers' common practice of conventional tillage (CT) was tested against three CA practices: conventional tillage with straw mulch (CTS), no-till (NT) and no-till with straw mulch (NTS). The results indicated that all three CA practices (CTS, NT and NTS) markedly increased soil water content (SWC), soil organic carbon (SOC) and soil total nitrogen (STN) but reduced soil temperature (ST). Average grain yields were 854.46 ± 76.51, 699.30 ± 133.52 and 908.18±38.64 kg ha-1 respectively under CTS, NT and NTS indicating an increase by approximately 33%, 9% and 41% respectively compared with CT (644.61 ± 76.98 kg ha-1). There were significant (p < 0.05) reductions of Net CO2 emissions under NT (7.37 ± 0.89 tCO2e ha-1y-1) and NTS (6.65 ± 0.73 tCO2e ha-1y-1) compared with CTS (10.65 ± 0.18 tCO2e ha-1y-1) and CT (11.14 ± 0.58 tCO2e ha-1y-1). All the treatments served as sinks of CH4but NTS had the highest absorption capacity (-0.27 ± 0.024 tCO2e ha-1y-1) and increased absorption significantly (p < 0.05) compared with CT (-0.21 ± 0.017 tCO2e ha-1y-1); however, CA did not reduce emissions of N2O. These had an influence on Global warming potential (GWP) as NT and NTS resulted in significant reduction in net GWP. Grain yield was significantly correlated positively with SOC and STN (p < 0.05); ecosystem respiration was also significantly correlated with SWC and ST while CH4 flux was highly correlated with ST (p < 0.001). Crop yield and GHG responses to CA were controlled by soil hydrothermal and nutrient changes, thus improving these conditions through adoption of sustainable soil moisture improvement practices such as no-till, straw mulch, green manuring, contour ploughing and terracing can improve crop resilience to climate change and reduce GHG emissions in arid and semi-arid regions.

Overexpression of the immediate early response 5 gene increases the radiosensitivity of HeLa cells.

The effects of the immediate early response 5 (IER5) gene on the sensitivity of HeLa cells to radiation remain unclear. In the present study, stably transfected HeLa cells resulting in the knockdown or overexpression of IER5 were investigated. In addition, xenografts of normal, IER5-silenced and -overexpressed HeLa cells were injected into nude mice and examined. The results demonstrated that the radiosensitivity of the IER5-overexpressed HeLa cells was significantly increased compared with that of the normal and IER5-silenced cells. The upregulation of IER5 effectively decreased cell proliferation and IER5 silencing promoted cell proliferation compared with that in the normal HeLa cells. Following irradiation of the cells with IER5 knockdown, cell cycle was arrested at the G2/M phase and an increase in the proportion of S phase cells was observed. By contrast, the overexpression of IER5 led to an increase in the proportion of G1 phase cells. Furthermore, the upregulation of IER5 inhibited tumor growth in vivo. The present findings demonstrate that the IER5 gene affects the radiosensitivity of HeLa cells and serves an important role in cell proliferation, suggesting that this gene may be a potential radiotherapeutic target in cervical cancer.

Enhanced phytoremediation of cadmium and/or benzo(a)pyrene contaminated soil by hyperaccumlator Solanum nigrum L.

The role of same amendment on phytoremediating different level contaminated soils is seldom known. Soil pot culture experiment was used to compare the strengthening roles of cysteine (CY), EDTA, salicylic acid (Sa), and Tween 80 (TW) on hyperaccumulator Solanum nigrum L. phytoremediating higher level of single cadmium (Cd) or Benzo(a)pyrene (BAP) and their co-contaminated soils. Results showed that the Cd capacities (ug pot-1) in shoots of S. nigrum in the combined treatment T0.1EDTA+0.9CY were the highest for the 5 and 15 mg kg-1 Cd contaminated soils. When S. nigrum remediating co-contaminated soils with higher levels of Cd and BAP, that is, 5 mg kg-1 Cd + 1 mg kg-1 BAP and 15 mg kg-1 Cd + 2 mg kg-1 BAP, the treatment T0.9CY+0.9Sa+0.3TW showed the best enhancing remediation role. This results were different with co-contaminated soil with 0.771 mg kg-1 Cd + 0.024 mg kg-1 BAP. These results may tell us that the combine used of CY, SA, and TW were more useful for the contaminated soils with higher level of Cd and/or BAP. In the combined treatments of Sa+TW, CY was better than EDTA.

NU7441 Enhances the Radiosensitivity of Liver Cancer Cells.

OBJECTIVE: Radiation therapy, one of the major treatments for liver cancer, causes DNA damage and cell death. Since the liver cancer cells have a strong capacity to repair irradiative injury, new medicines to enhance this treatment are urgently required. In this study, we investigated the effect of NU7441, a synthetic small-molecule compound, as a specific inhibitor of DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) in radiosensitization of hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells. METHODS: Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) was first used to evaluate the proliferation of HepG2 cells under NU7441 treatment. SDS-PAGE and Western blot were then performed to study the protein expression leading to the DNA damage repair. Further, neutral single cell gel electrophoresis and immunofluorescence assay were carried out to assess DNA repair. Finally, flow cytometry was implemented to examine the changes in cell cycle. RESULTS: NU7441 reduced the CCK-8 counts in the HepG2 culture, further enhanced 60Cox03B3; radiation injury to HepG2 cells, which was manifested by decreasing the DNA-PKcs (S2056) protein expression, increasing x03B3;H2AX foci number, prolonging the tail moment of the comet cells, and inducing cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase. CONCLUSION: NU7441 inhibited the growth of liver cancer cells, enhanced the radiosensitization of these cancer cells by interfering with the DNA repair and cell cycle checkpoint. These data implicate NU7441 as a potential radiotherapy sensitizer for the treatment of liver cancer.

IER5 promotes irradiation- and cisplatin-induced apoptosis in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

PURPOSE: To elucidate the mechanisms of the immediate-early response gene 5 (IER5) effect on the apoptosis induced by irradiation and cisplatin (CDDP) in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cells. METHODS: We generated IER5 overexpression stable cells (HepG2/IER5) using Lipofectamine 2000 transfection HepG2 cells. Cell apoptosis was induced by irradiation and cisplatin treatments, and cell proliferation (viability) and apoptosis were evaluated by MTT and flow cytometry assays. Protein expression was determined by Western blot. RESULTS: The growth of the IER5 overexpression cells was significantly inhibited after six days of (60)Co γ-irradiation exposure (p<0.01) compared with the cell growth of vector control cells. Furthermore, the HepG2/IER5 cells were arrested at the G2/M phases. We also found that the expression of phospho-Akt was reduced, and the levels of cleaved caspase-3 and PARP were increased after the treatment of HepG2/IER5 cells with γ-irradiation and cisplatin. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the overexpression of IER5 can inhibit cell growth and enhance the cell apoptosis induced by exposure to radiation or cisplatin. The overexpression of IER5 can be utilized as a targeting strategy to improve the outcomes of radiotherapy used for the treatment of patients with liver cancer.

Compound amino acids added in media improved Solanum nigrum L. phytoremediating CD-PAHS contaminated soil.

Cd hyperaccumulator Solanum nigrum L. was a promising plant used to simultaneously remediate Cd-PAHs combined pollution soil through its extra accumulation capacity and rhizosphere degradation. This article compared the strengthening remediation role of cysteine (Cys), glycine (Gly) and glutamic acid (Glu) with EDTA and TW80. The results showed that the addition of 0.03 mmol L(-1) Cys, Gly, and Glu didn't significantly impact (p < 0.05) shoot biomass of S. nigrum, but obviously increased Cd concentration. Therefore, Cd capacity (µg pot(-1)) in shoots of S. nigrum was significantly increased (p < 0.05) by 37.7% compared to the control without reagent added. At the meantime, the PAHs degradation ratio in rhizoshpere was increased by 34.5%. Basically, the improving role of Cys, Gly, and Glu was higher than EDTA and TW80. The main reasons of enhanced the accumulation of S. nigrum to Cd might lie in the addition of Cys, Gly, and Glu which reduced pH and increased extractable Cd concentration in rhizosphere and phytochelatines (PCs) concentration in leaves. As for the degradation of PAHs in rhizosphere, increased microorganism number might be play important role.

Chemical-assisted phytoremediation of CD-PAHs contaminated soils using Solanum nigrum L.

A well-characterized cadmium (Cd) hyperaccumulating plant Solanum nigrum was grown in Cd and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) co-contaminated soil that was repeatedly amended with chemicals, including EDTA, cysteine (CY), salicylic acid (Sa), and Tween 80 (TW80), to test individual and combined treatment effects on phytoremediation of Cd-PAHs contaminated soils. Plant growth was negatively affected by exogenous chemicals except for EDTA. S. nigrum could accumulate Cd in tissues without assistant chemicals, while there was no visible effect on the degradation of PAHs. Cysteine had significant effects on phytoextraction of Cd and the highest metal extraction ratio (1.27%) was observed in 0.9 mmol/kg CY treatment. Both salicylic acid and Tween 80 had stimulative effects on the degradation of PAHs and there was the maximal degradation rate (52.6%) of total PAHs while 0.9 mmol/kg Sa was applied. Furthermore, the combined treatment T(0.1EDTA+0.9CY+0.5TW80) and T(0.5EDTA+0.9CY+03Sa) could not only increase the accumulation of Cd in plant tissues, but also promote the degradation of PAHs. These results indicated that S. nigrum might be effective in phytoextracting Cd and enhancing the biodegradation of PAHs in the co-contaminated soils with assistant chemicals.

[Effects of illumination and seed-soaking reagent on seed germination of Solanum nigrum].

To explore a rapid seed germination method for hyperaccumulator Solanum nigrum, a germination experiment with different illumination and seed-soaking treatments was conducted in constant temperature box and greenhouse, with filter as burgeon base. Under illumination, the germination rate was about 5 times high of that without illumination (P < 0.05), indicating that illumination was one of the prerequisites for the seed germination of S. nigrum. All test seed-soaking reagents could significantly improve the germination rate of S. nigrum (P < 0.05), with the best effect of H2O2. The seeds treated with H2O2 had the shortest germination time. The germination rate of seeds soaked but without cleaning was 2-3 times as high as that of seeds soaked and cleaned with water.

Induced expression of the IER5 gene by gamma-ray irradiation and its involvement in cell cycle checkpoint control and survival.

The immediate-early response gene 5 (IER5) was previously shown, using microarray analysis, to be upregulated by ionizing radiation. Here we further characterized the dose- and time-dependency of radiation-induced expression of IER5 at doses from 0.5 to 15 Gy by quantitative real-time PCR analyses in HeLa cells and human lymphoblastoid AHH-1 cells. A radiation-induced increase in the IER5 mRNA level was evident 2 h after irradiation with 2 Gy in both cell lines. In AHH-1 cells the expression reached a peak at 4 h and then quickly returned to the control level, while in HeLa cells the expression only remained increased for a short period of time at around 2 h after irradiation before returning to the control. After high-dose irradiation (10 Gy), the induction of the IER5 expression was lower and delayed in AHH-1 cells as compared with 2-Gy irradiated cells. In HeLa cells, at this dose, two peaks of increased expression were observed 2 h and 12-24 h post-irradiation, respectively. RNA interference technology was employed to silence the IER5 gene in HeLa cells. siRNA-mediated suppression of IER5 resulted in an increased proliferation of HeLa cells. Cell growth and survival analyses demonstrated that suppression of IER5 significantly increased the radioresistance of HeLa cells to radiation doses of up to 6 Gy, but barely affected the sensitivity of cells at 8 Gy. Moreover, suppression of IER5 potentiated radiation-induced arrest at the G2-M transition and led to an increase in the fraction of S phase cells. Taken together, we propose that the early radiation-induced expression of IER5 affects the radiosensitivity via disturbing radiation-induced cell cycle checkpoints.

Kalimeris integrifolia Turcz. ex DC.: an accumulator of Cd.

Phytoremediation is a traditional technique that uses vegetation to remediate contaminants from water, soil and sediments. This is a solar-driven, aesthetically pleasing, and cost effective technology. In a former published article, Kalimeris integrifolia Turcz. ex DC. indicated some basic properties of hyperaccumulators for cadmium (Cd). In this study, concentration gradient experiment and sample-analyzing experiments were used to assess whether this plant is a Cd-hyperaccumulator. The results showed the Cd enrichment factor (concentration in plant/soil) and Cd translocation factor (concentration in shoot/root) of K. integrifolia was basically >1 in concentration gradient experiment. Shoot biomass was not reduced significantly (p<0.05) compared to the control. However, the Cd concentration in K. integrifolia shoots was not higher than 100 mg kg(-1), the threshold concentration for a Cd-hyperaccumulator. Thus, K. integrifolia should only be considered as a Cd-accumulator. In the sample-analyzing experiments conducted in a Pb-Zn mine area and a wastewater irrigation region, K. integrifolia also showed Cd-accumulator properties. Based on these results, K. integrifolia could be identified as a Cd-accumulator.

Hyperaccumulative property comparison of 24 weed species to heavy metals using a pot culture experiment.

The screening of hyperaccumulators is still very much needed for phytoremediation. With properties such as strong tolerance to adverse environment, fast growing and highly reproductive rate, weed species may be an ideal plant for phytoremediation. The objectives of this study were to examine the tolerance and hyperaccumulative characteristics of 24 species in 9 families to Cd, Pb, Cu and Zn by using the outdoor pot-culture experiment. In the screening experiment, only Conyza canadensis and Rorippa globosa displayed Cd-hyperaccumulative characteristics. In a further concentration gradient experiment, C. canadensis was affirmed that it is not a Cd hyperaccumulator. Only R. globosa, indicated all Cd hyperaccumulative characteristics, especially Cd concentration in its stems and leaves were higher than 100 mg/kg, the minimum Cd concentration what a Cd-hyperaccumulator should accumulate. Thus, R. globosa was further validated as a Cd-hyperaccumulator.

[Hyperaccumulative characteristics of 7 widely distributing weed species in composite family especially Bidens pilosa to heavy metals].

Hyperaccumulator is the main point of phytoremediating contaminated soils by heavy metals, and the identification of hyperaccumulator is still the difficult and key step of phytoremediation. The outdoor pot-culture experiment was used to study the hyperaccumulative characteristics of 7 widely distributing weed species in Northeast of China to heavy metals. The results in screening experiment showed that Taraxacum mongolicum and Bidens pilosa indicated strong tolerance to Cd single and Cd-Pb-Cu-Zn combined pollution, their Cd concentration in shoot were higher than that in roots, and the Cd enhancement factors (ratio of heavy metal concentration in shoot to that in soil) in shoots were greater than 1 too, which displayed that the two plants were with Cd hyperaccumulative characteristics. In concentration gradient experiment, Cd concentration in leaves of B. pilosa were all greater than 100 mg x kg(-1) the minimum of Cd-hyperaccumulator should have under the conditions of 25, 50, 100 mg x kg(-1) Cd added. Meanwhile, the shoot biomass of B. pilosa did not reduce significantly (p <0.05), Cd concentration in its shoots were higher than those in roots. But for T. mongolicum, Cd concentration in its shoots were not greater than 100 mg x kg(-1) in any treatment. Thus, only B. pilosa can be regarded as Cd-hyperaccumulator.

[Effects of ET-1 on isolated perfused rat liver and vascular rings at two stages of cirrhosis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of ET-1 on isolated perfused rat liver and vascular rings at early and late stages of cirrhosis. METHODS: Liver cirrhosis was induced by an intraperitoneal injection of 50% CCl(4) (0.3 ml/100 g, twice a week). In the 9th and 14th weekend after injecting CCl(4), the isolated perfused liver and vascular rings were performed to evaluate effects of four concentrations of ET-1 on early and late stages of cirrhosis. RESULTS: The Ppv of L-HC group at baseline was higher than that of E-HC group, both were higher than that of the controls. However, there showed no differences on Phv in these groups. With the concentration of ET-1 increasing, PVP was elevated accordingly in E-HC and L-HC group. L-HC group showed higher PVP compared with E-HC group, both were higher than the controls. While in isolated vascular rings, with the deteriorating of cirrhosis, the cumulative response curves showed right-shift. 0.1 nmol/L ET-1 showed mild relaxation on vascular rings in L-HC group. CONCLUSION: ET-1 can increase the PVP, especially with the deterioration of cirrhosis, there showed higher reaction compared with normal controls. The vascular rings showed low response on the contrary. So ET-1 plays an important role in the pathogenesis of portal hypertension. In view of its different roles on liver and vascular rings at early and late stages, administration of different selective antagonist of ET receptor at different stages of cirrhosis should be well considered.