Quantitative distribution and quantized ecological threat of microplastics in farmland: Shanghai as an example.

The occurrence of microplastics (MPs) in farmlands poses a threat to soil health and crop yield. There needs to be more research on the role of cropping patterns in the accumulation of MPs and quantizing the threat of MPs on soil health and crop yield. In this study, a field study was carried out to explore the role of cropping patterns in the accumulation of MPs in agricultural soil in Shanghai, China. Furthermore, the specific effect and importance of MPs and each soil physicochemical indicator to soil health and crop yield were clarified, and the threat of MPs in reducing soil health and crop yield was quantized. Relative lower MPs abundance was detected in Shanghai. MPs abundance in vegetable fields was significantly higher than that in orchards. The broad source of MPs, the acceleration of plastics breaking under artificial disturbance and warmer temperatures, and the block of MPs exchange could account for the quicker accumulation of MPs in vegetable fields. MPs have a negligible effect on microbial diversity and metabolic activity which plays a role in soil enzyme activity. Besides, MPs served as one of the critical factors for rice yield reduction.

[Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase contributes myocardial ischemia-reperfusion of rats by regulating Akt signaling pathway].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) in heart ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) injury in rat and on Akt mediated signaling pathway. METHOD: Rats were divided into sham, I/R, I/R+3,4-dihydro-5-[4-(1-piperidinyl)butoxy]-1(2H)- isoquinolinone (DPQ, 10 mg/kg, i.p.), an inhibitor of PARP, I/R + DPQ + Akt inhibitor LY294002, 10 mg/kg (n = 12 each). Cardiac function, apoptosis of the cardiomyocytes were measured, myocardial expression of PARP, Akt, glycogen synthase kinase-3ß (GSK-3ß) and forkhead transcription factor FOXO3a were detected. RESULTS: (1) The expression of PARP were significantly upregulated in I/R group compared to sham group which was significantly attenuated in I/R + DPQ group (P < 0.05 vs. I/R group). (2)PARP inhibition significantly reduced cardiomyocyte apoptosis from (34.0 ± 6.2)% to (23.0 ± 3.8)% (P < 0.05). The LVDP, +dp/dt and -dp/dt were significantly higher in I/R + DPQ group compared to I/R group (all P < 0.05). (3) The expression of Akt, GSK-3ß and FOXO3a were significantly upregulated in I/R + DPQ group compared to I/R group (P < 0.05) which were significantly attenuated in I/R + DPQ + LY294002 group compared to I/R + DPQ group (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: PARP activation contributes to myocardial I/R injury in rats by modulating Akt mediated signaling pathway.

Real-time variabilities in microplastic abundance and characteristics of urban surface runoff and sewer overflow in wet weather as impacted by land use and storm factors.

Urban surface runoff (USR) and drainage system overflows during wet weather (WWF) play a key role in shaping water pollution. Particularly, the impact of large amounts of microplastic pollution on urban water bodies is unclear. We conducted an in-field investigation in six central urban drainage systems along Suzhou Creek in the Shanghai megacity of China and identified the impacts of storm factors and land use on the real-time dynamic changes in microplastic abundance and characteristics in USR and WWF. Microplastic abundances ranged from 228.3 ± 105.4-4969.51 ± 348.8, 309.3 ± 144.3-5195.8 ± 425.5, and 130.0 ± 30.0-8500.0 ± 1241.0 particles/L in the traffic and residential catchment USR, and the WWF, respectively. Under similar storm factor conditions, we observed correlations between environmental factors and microplastic abundance, especially the polymer type, verifying the significant role of land use. The microplastic abundance were 90.2 particles/L higher in the traffic catchment USR than in the residential catchment USR. Notably, we found unique microplastic polymers comprising ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer and thermoplastic elastomers in the residential and traffic catchment USR, respectively. However, land use had a minimum impact on the size and shape of microplastics: small-sized and film microplastics dominated in both USR types. We found statistical evidence of the widespread correlations between microplastic abundance and storm factors (accumulated storm depth and WWF flow) in both USR and WWF. The first flush phenomenon of microplastic dynamics was found in both USR and WWF. Microplastic characteristics also changed dynamically with storm time. With heavy storm factors, polypropylene and small-sized (<1 mm) microplastics in USR events increased and then decreased. This was also true for WWF events in granular and polyethylene terephthalate microplastics. Our results can facilitate the targeted mitigation of emerging pollutants to enhance stormwater management strategies and prevent future contamination.

[Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibition attenuates ischemia/reperfusion induced myocardial injury in rat via reducing myocardial nuclear factor κB activity].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibition on ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) induced myocardial injury in rat and related mechanisms. METHOD: Adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into sham-control (n = 18), I/R (60 min ischemia followed by 180 min reperfusion, n = 18) and I/R + PARP inhibitor 3,4-dihydro-5-[4-(1-piperidinyl)butoxy]-1(2H)-isoquinolinone (DPQ), 10 mg/kg, i.p. injection at 1 h before I/R (n = 18). Myocardial expression of PARP, infarct size, and cardiomyocytes apoptosis were determined. Additionally, myocardial NF-κB activity and the myocardial expressions of ICAM-1, COX-2 and MMP-9 at protein and mRNA level were detected. RESULT: (1) Myocardial expression of PARP was significantly upregulated in I/R group compared to sham-control group, which could be significantly reduced by pretreatment with DPQ (P < 0.05 vs. I/R group). (2) Infarct size [(31.45 ± 5.54)% vs. (45.97 ± 4.22)%] and cardiomyocytes apoptosis [(23.0 ± 3.8)% vs. (34.0 ± 6.2)%] were significantly reduced by pretreatment with DPQ (all P < 0.05 vs. I/R group). (3) Pretreatment with DPQ also significantly decreased the NF-κB activity and the myocardial expressions of ICAM-1, COX-2 and MMP-9 at both protein and mRNA level (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The expression of PARP, NF-κB activity and the myocardial expressions of ICAM-1, COX-2 and MMP-9 are upregulated in I/R induced myocardial injury. PARP inhibitor DPQ could attenuate I/R induced myocardial injury through reducing NF-κB activity and the myocardial expressions of ICAM-1, COX-2 and MMP-9.

Huang-Lian-Jie-Du-Tang inhibits myocardial remodeling in a rat model of metabolic syndrome.

Huang-Lian-Jie-Du-Tang (HLJDT) is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine and a potential anti-inflammatory agent. HLJDT has been used successfully to treat inflammation in diabetic rats. The current study is aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of HLJDT on myocardial remodeling in a rat model of metabolic syndrome (MS). Twenty-one MS rats were divided into two groups: the MS group and the MS+HLJDT group. Ten Wister rats were a normal control group (NC group). HLJDT (1.04 g/100g) was orally administered daily for 12 weeks in the MS+HLJDT group. The trial lasted 12 weeks. Changes of echocardiography, histological staining, transmission electron microscope (TEM), and molecular biology examinations were made. After treatment, in the MS+HLJDT group, Masson staining and echocardiography data revealed decreased collagen fibers compared with the MS group. Messenger RNA levels of IL-6, ICAM-1, TNF-alpha, TGF-beta1, NF-kappaB in left ventricular tissues were lower than in the MS group, and volume of mitochondria and the phenotype of cardiac muscle cells in TEM were close to normal. The results suggested that HLJDT reduced myocardial collagen deposition and inhibited cardiac remodeling in a rat model of MS.

Poly[hexa-aqua-tri-µ-malonato-didysprosium(III)].

The title compound, [Dy(2)(C(3)H(2)O(4))(3)(H(2)O)(6)](n), forms a coordination polymeric structure comprising hydrated dysprosium ions and malonate ligands. In the asymmetric unit, there are one dysprosium ion, one and a half malonate ligands, and three water mol-ecules. Each Dy(III) atom is coordinated by six O atoms from four malonate ligands and by three water mol-ecules, and displays a tricapped trigonal-prismatic coordination geometry. The malonate ligands adopt two types of coordination mode, linking dysprosium centres to form a three-dimensional coordination polymer. The extensive network of hydrogen bonds in this polymer enhances the structural stability.

Poly[diaqua-µ(2)-isonicotinato-µ(2)-oxalato-terbium(III)].

In the crystal structure of the title complex, [Tb(C(6)H(4)NO(2))(C(2)O(4))(H(2)O)(2)](n), the Tb(III) ion is coordinated by two O atoms from two isonicotinate (inic) anions, four O atoms of two oxalate anions, and two water mol-ecules, displaying a distorted square-antiprismatic geometry. The Tb(III) ion, the inic anion and the water mol-ecules occupy general positions. One of the two crystallographically independent oxalate anions is located on a center of inversion, whereas the second is located on the twofold rotation axis. The carboxyl-ate groups of the inic and oxalate anions link the terbium metal centres into layers. These layers are connected by O-H⋯O and N-H⋯O hydrogen bonding into a three-dimensional network.

Effects of remote ischemic preconditioning on contrast induced nephropathy after percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore the clinical effects of remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) on contrast-induced nephropathy after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study was a single-center, prospective, randomized, controlled study. A total of 161 patients with ACS and the rate of estimate glomerular filtration (eGFR) 15 to 70 mL/min/1.73 m2 undergoing PCI were randomly assigned to RIPC group (induced by 4 times of 5-minute inflations of a blood pressure cuff to 200 mmHg around the upper arm, followed by 5-min intervals of reperfusion at 1 hour before PCI therapy) or control group (an uninflated cuff around the arm). Successful completion of the PCI eventually included 107 cases of patients, including 50 cases in the RIPC group and 57 cases in the control group. The level of serum creatinine (Scr), CystatinC (CysC), blood neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), eGFR were measured in all patients at 6 AM before the day of PCI, and 4-hour NGAL, 24-hour CysC, 72-hour Scr, and eGFR after PCI in the 2 groups. The incidence of major adverse events in the kidney (including the incidence of CIN, the need for dialysis, or renal replacement therapy after using contrast agent) and the composite endpoint of cardiovascular events were recorded at 6 months after PCI. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in baseline indicators between the 2 groups. Scr, CysC, and blood NGAL levels and the incidence of CIN in patients with RIPC group were significantly lower than those form the control group after PCI (P < .05), but there were no significant differences between the average value of eGFR and occurrence of Major cardiovascular events in the postoperative 6 months (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: RIPC can reduce PCI-related CIN and protect renal function in patients with ACS. The benefits of these patients by RIPC may be related to the reduction of the NGAL and CysC.

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor is neuroprotective in epileptic rat via apoptosis-inducing factor and Akt signaling.

3-Aminobenzamide (3-AB), an inhibitor of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), has been proved to have neuroprotective properties. In this study, we examined the role of 3-AB in rat hippocampal neuron death induced by seizures. Our data showed that the seizures resulted in PARP activation and translocation of the apoptosis-inducing factor from the mitochondria to the nucleus, leading to neuron death. These effects could, however, all be abolished by 3-AB. Moreover, we showed that 3-AB facilitated Akt activation and decreased the activity of its downstream target, glycogen synthase kinase-3beta. Altogether, our data suggested that 3-AB might have a therapeutic value in seizure-induced hippocampal neuron damage, probably due to the inhibition of apoptosis and activation of Akt cell survival signaling.

Structure revision of aspergicin by the crystal structure of aspergicine, a co-occurring isomer produced by co-culture of two mangrove epiphytic fungi.

The structure of aspergicin (1), an antibacterial alkaloid produced by co-culture of two marine-derived mangrove epiphytic fungi, were revised by the co-occurring isomer named as aspergicine (2), whose structure was determined on the basis of spectroscopic analysis and X-ray crystallography.

Seasonal characterization and identification of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in the Pearl River, China.

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) is considered to be one of active organic carbon components in river water, and its characteristics would affect quality of drinking water if such a river is used for the purpose. DOM in the Pearl River around metropolitan Guangzhou and its six fractions obtained by sequential resins separation and their percentage distribution of total organic carbon (TOC), the UV absorbance at 254 nm (UV254), and the specific ultraviolet absorbance (SUVA254) were determined. Meanwhile, fluorescence spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy were used to examine the biodegradable and structural characteristics of DOM. The results showed that the values of TOC, UV254, and SUVA254 changed with season. Especially, SUVA254 was lower than 3 L (mg m)(-1), indicating that the hydrophilic fractions were the major components of the DOM. Furthermore, fluorescence spectroscopy revealed the dominant presence of humic-like, fulvic-like, and protein-like fluorophores. Fluorescence index (FI) in four seasons was associated with allochthonous DOM sources and biological DOM. FTIR spectroscopy suggested the feature of DOM with some specific groups (e.g., carbohydrate C-O, amid C═O).

Metagenomic analysis of microbiota structure evolution in phytoremediation of a swine lagoon wastewater.

Pytoremediation was studied in this project to treat swine manure lagoon wastewater characteristic of high concentrations of organic carbon, ammonium (N) and phosphorus (P). The impacts of introducing exogenous microalgae Chlorella into the lagoon wastewater on the removal of major nutrients and the transformation of the native wastewater microbiota structure were explored under two phytoremediation modes (shake flask and CO2-air bubbling). The results showed that the inoculation of microalgae could significantly enhance N and P removal. Metagenomic analysis of the native microbiota composition in the wastewater affected by algae inoculation revealed that a substantial population of algicidal bacteria was developed in the shake flask system, while in the CO2-air bubbling system, a niche for more mutualistic bacteria was created, which benefited the maximal algal growth with the simultaneous optimal N and P removal. To our knowledge, this study presents, the first reported case of applying metagenomic approach to a phytoremediation system treating real swine lagoon wastewater.

[Effect of Chinese guidelines issued in 2001 on in-hospital management and prognosis of patients with acute myocardial infarction].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of Chinese guidelines issued on December 2001 on in-hospital management and prognosis of patients with acute myocardial infarction. METHODS: A retrospective study was carried out in patients hospitalized in our hospital with acute myocardial infarction from January 1994 to December 2004. RESULTS: There were 1783 patients enrolled in our study. Reperfusion therapy was undergone in 21.7% of patients hospitalized between 1994 and 2001, and in 35.8% of patients hospitalized between 2002 and 2004 (P < 0.001). Beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors and/or angiotensin receptor blockers, lipid regulating agents and antithrombins were used more extensively between 2002 and 2004 than before (all P < 0.001). There were no significant differences in the usage of nitrates and antiplatelets before and after the guidelines was issued (98.8% vs 97.9%, P = 0.172; 97.4% vs 98.6%, P = 0.113 respectively). After the guidelines issued, the incidence of angina pectoris, heart failure and death in hospital were lower than before (32.2% vs 41.2%, P < 0.001; 17.2% vs 26.2%, P < 0.001; 6.4% vs 9.4%, P = 0.038). CONCLUSIONS: Chinese guidelines issued on December 2001 have great effect on the management and prognosis of patients with acute myocardial infarction. After the guidelines was issued the management became more standardized and the incidence of in-hospital complications was lower than before.

[A randomized clinical trial on comparison of weight-adjusted dose with low dose recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator on Chinese patients with acute myocardial infarction].

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to quest appropriate dose of recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rt-PA) on Chinese patients with acute myocardial infarction. METHODS: All enrolled patients were randomized into weight-adjusted dose or low dose rt-PA group, and received a basal treatment with aspirin and heparin. Additionally, after an intravenous bolus of 8 mg rt-PA, patients in weight-adjusted dose group (n = 93) were given an intravenous infusion of 42-92 mg rt-PA (1 mg/kg body weight), while patients in the low dose group (n = 91) were treated with an intravenous infusion of 42 mg rt-PA over 90 minutes. The observational endpoint included reperfusion rate of the infarct-related artery by clinical criteria, left ventricular ejection fraction and major adverse cardiovascular events within 30 days in the two groups. RESULTS: There were 74 patients diagnosed reperfusion by clinical criteria in weight-adjusted dose group and 59 patients in low dose group (79.6% vs 64.8%, P = 0.026). The left ventricular ejection fraction seemed to be better in weight-adjusted dose group than in low dose group (P = 0.259). The major adverse cardiovascular events within 30 days were less in weight-adjusted dose group than in low dose group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: There was statistical significant superiority of weight-adjusted dose over low dose rt-PA in the treatment of Chinese patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor reduces heart ischaemia/reperfusion injury via inflammation and Akt signalling in rats.

BACKGROUND: Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) has been proposed to play an important role in the pathogenesis of heart ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. 3,4-dihydro-5-[4-(1-piperidinyl)butoxy]-1(2H)-isoquinolinone (DPQ), a potent PARP inhibitor, has cardiac protective effects. Because the underlying mechanisms are not understood, we investigated the effect of DPQ on heart I/R injury and its mechanisms. METHODS: Studies were performed with I/R rats' hearts. DPQ was used to inhibit the activation of PARP. Cardiac function and cellular apoptosis were assessed. The activation of PARP, transcription factor nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) were evaluated. We also evaluated expression of Akt and two of its downstream targets, glycogen synthase kinase-3ß (GSK-3ß) and forkhead transcription factor FOXO3a. RESULTS: Administration of DPQ significantly decreased the activation of PARP and cellular apoptosis from (35 ± 5)% to (20 ± 4)% and simultaneously improved the cardiac function. DPQ reduced the expressions of NF-κB, ICAM-1, COX-2 and MMP-9 in rat heart and facilitated the activations of phosphor-Akt, phosphor-GSK-3ß and phosphor-FOXO3a. CONCLUSION: The protective effects of DPQ were associated with the suppression of inflammation and the activation of the Akt signalling pathways suggesting that the inhibition of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase reduced heart I/R injury in rats.

N400 and the activation of prejudice against rural migrant workers in China.

Rural migrant workers (RMWs) are a special social group under the household registration system in China. Although RMWs work in the city, they are not issued a permanent city resident card, and are hardly integrated into the city life. City residents harbour strong negative stereotypes about RMWs. Facing a word-pair comprising a status noun (RMWs vs. Unban workers) followed by an adjective, 16 young participants were required to classify the adjective as being either negative or positive, while the event-related brain potentials (ERPs) were recorded. An ERP component identified as the N400 was found, and was studied with the question whether its amplitude reflected the effects of prejudice against RMWs. The reaction times to identify the positive adjectives preceded by the nouns pertaining to RMWs were significantly longer than to those preceded by nouns denoting Urban workers. The amplitude of the N400 evoked in RMW-Positive adjective condition was significantly larger than in Urban worker-Positive adjective condition, possibly reflecting the higher conflict when participants identified the adjectives as positive primed by RMWs. These findings revealed that negative stereotypes about RMWs still exist today, although Chinese mainstream media has disseminated positive messages about the RMWs for decades.

Mu-calpain mediates hippocampal neuron death in rats after lithium-pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus.

Status epilepticus (SE) is a severe clinical manifestation of epilepsy which causes brain damage. The pathological process and underlying mechanisms involved in the programmed cell death (PCD) are still not fully clear. In the current study, rats were induced SE by lithium-pilocarpine administration. Our data showed hippocampal neurons death appeared at 6h after SE and sustained for 7 days. By blotting the activation of mu-calpain and its specific cleavage of nonerythroid alpha-spectrin (alphaSpII) (145 kDa) was evident at 1 and 3 days after SE, which coincided with Bid activation, apoptosis inducing factor (AIF) translocation and cytochrome c release from mitochondria, whereas, activated caspase-3 and caspase-3-specific fragments of alphaSpII (120 kDa) predominantly appeared at 5 and 7 days after SE. Moreover, MDL-28170, a calpain inhibitor, partially rescued the neuron death and attenuated the expression of activated mu-calpain, cleavage of Bid (15 kDa), AIF translocation and cytochrome c release. Taken together, our study indicated that mu-calpain mediated hippocampal neuron PCD is prior to caspase-3 activation. It functioned via translocation of Bid, AIF and cytochrome c release.

Inhibition of the activity of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase reduces heart ischaemia/reperfusion injury via suppressing JNK-mediated AIF translocation.

Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) has been proposed to play an important role in the pathogenesis of heart ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. However, the mechanisms of PARP-mediated heart I/R injury in vivo are still not thoroughly understood. Therefore, in this study, we investigate the effect of PARP inhibition on heart I/R injury and try to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Studies were performed with I/R rats' hearts in vivo. Ischaemia followed by reperfusion caused a significant increase in Poly (ADP-ribose) (PAR), c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) and apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) activity. Administration of 3,4-dihydro-5-[4-(1-piperidinyl)butoxy]-1(2H)-isoquinolinone (DPQ), an inhibitor of PARP, decreased myocardial infarction size from 61.11+/-7.46%[0] to 38.83+/-5.67% (P<0.05) and cells apoptosis from 35+/-5.3% to 20+/-4.1% (P<0.05) and simultaneously improved the cardiac function. Western blot analysis showed that administration of DPQ reduced the activation of JNK and attenuated mitochondrial-nuclear translocation of AIF. Additionally, administration of SP600125, an inhibitor of JNK, attenuated mitochondrial-nuclear translocation of AIF. The results of the present study demonstrated that the inhibition of PARP was able to reduce heart I/R injury in vivo. Our results also suggested that JNK may be downstream of PARP activation and be required for PARP-mediated AIF translocation. Inhibition of the activity of PARP may reduce heart I/R injury via suppressing AIF translocation mediated by JNK.