[Effects of sawdust dosage on the diversity and community structure of bacteria associated with the hyphae of Pleurotus eryngii]. / æœ¨å±‘æ·»åŠ å¯¹åˆºèŠ¹ä¾§è€³èŒä¸å ±ç”Ÿç»†èŒå¤šæ ·æ€§å’Œç¾¤è½ç»“æž„çš„å½±å“.

Some fungi engage symbiosis with bacteria, which can effectively promote the metabolism and growth of fungi. The diversity and community structure of bacteria can reflect the growth and substrate utilization of fungi. In this study, we analyzed the effects of different sawdust dosages on the community structure and diversity of bacteria associated with the hyphae of Pleurotus eryngii using high-throughput sequencing technology (HST) based on PCR-amplified 16S rRNA V3-V4 fragments. The results showed that the high-quality sequences from five groups of mycelia samples were clustered into 25 phyla, 52 classes, 114 orders, 199 families, and 406 genera. Proteobacteria (35.0%-85.9%) and Firmicutes (6.5%-38.4%) were the most abundant bacterial phyla, while Acinetobacter (14.8%-71.6%) and Pseudomonas (1.7%-22.3%) were the dominant symbiotic genera. Compared with the mycelia grown on the complete culture medium, sawdust addition could increase the diversity of bacteria coexisting with P. eryngii mycelia, and change the community structure of 10 dominant phyla and 9 dominant genera. P. eryngii cultivated in substrate containing 5 g sawdust had the fastest mycelium growth rate, thick mycelia, and neatly edges. Furthermore, judging from the abundance and diversity, Pseudomonas and Lactobacillus became the dominant genera, which were positively correlated with the mycelia growth vigour. Sawdust, as an important carbon source, could affect the growth and development of P. eryngii and the community structure and diversity of bacteria coexisting with mycelia. This study would lay a theoretical foundation for exploring the molecular mechanism of sawdust and mycelium symbiosis affecting the growth and development of P. eryngii.

[Occurrence Characteristics and Risk Assessment of Antibiotics in Source Water of the Nanjing Reach of the Yangtze River].

Occurrence characteristics of antibiotics in the source water of the Nanjing section of the Yangtze River were analyzed preliminarily by solid-phase extraction and high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (SPE-HPLC-MS/MS). The results showed that the cumulative concentration of 16 sampling points ranged from 13.37 ng·L-1 to 780.5 ng·L-1, with an average concentration of 92.95 ng·L-1. Four sulfonamides, three fluoroquinolones, one tetracycline, five macrolides, and one chloramphenicol antibiotic were detected with average concentration ranging from 0.14 ng·L-1 to 49.91 ng·L-1,including enrofloxacin (ERX) and clarithromycin (CLR) with the highest detection rate of 100%, and clindamycin (CLI) with the highest concentration of 739.44 ng·L-1. Overall, the concentration levels of antibiotics in the Nanjing section of the Yangtze River were low compared with other rivers and lakes in China. The risk assessment results showed that the largest cumulative risk of S2 was 0.31, and the environmental risk of sulfamethoxazole (SMX), doxycycline (DOX), and roxithromycin (ROX) had lower risk levels;the health risk indexes of nine antibiotics for different age groups were between 2.22×10-6and 4.86×10-3, while CLI and DOX are the main potential health risk factors for humans.

[Effects of fertilizer of calcium silicon magnesium potassium on the dynamics of soil acidity and exchangeable base cation in paddy field of southern China]. / ç¡ é’™é’¾é•è‚¥å¯¹å—æ–¹ç¨»ç”°åœŸå£¤é ¸æ€§å’Œç›åŸºç¦»å­åŠ¨æ€å˜åŒ–çš„å½±å“.

Soil acidification of large areas of paddy fields in southern China has become an important problem in rice production. Therefore, how to ameliorate or remedy the acidifying paddy soil and to exposit its mechanism has important theoretical and practical significance for rebuilding healthy soils and guaranteeing national food security. Although lime has already been extensively used to remedy acidified soils, long-term application of a large amount of lime would not only cause the soil to harden, but also disturb the balance between calcium, potassium and magnesium in the soil. Given the advantages of lower solubility and comprehensive nutrient supply, fertilizer of calcium silicon magnesium potassium (CSMP) may be used as an alternative. The aim of this study was to clarify the functions of CSMP and its effects on soil acidification in paddy fields. A four-year field experiment was conducted to investigate the dynamics of soil pH, exchangeable acidi-ty, exchangeable base cation and available silicon, as well as 0~30 cm pH buffer capacity (pHBC), net base production under CSMP fertilization in the paddy soil. There were five treatments, i.e. CK (traditional fertilization practice of the local farmers), treatment I (CK plus 750 kg·hm-2 CSMP); treatment II (CK plus 1125 kg·hm-2 CSMP), treatment III (CK plus 1500 kg·hm-2 CSMP), and treatment IV (CK plus 1875 kg·hm-2 CSMP). The results showed that the traditional fertilization practice of the local farmers resulted in a decline of soil pH, soil exchangeable base cation and base saturation year by year, but soil exchangeable acid was increased with year. Conversely, CSPM fertlization significantly raised soil pH, with the magnitude of increases positively depending on the number of application times or application rate. Continuous and repeated application of CSMP effectively promoted the accumulation of exchangeable base cation and the consumption of soil exchangeable acid in paddy soil, especially for the accumulation of soil exchangeable Ca2+, Mg2+ and the consumption of soil exchangeable Al3+. Furthermore, the more amount of CSPM application resulted in the more accumulation or consumption, but with relatively slower rate. The exchangeable base cation and alkali released by CSMP contributed 108.8% to the total reduction of soil exchangeable acid, suggesting that it was the main path to reduce soil exchangeable acid. Meanwhile, CSMP application improved soil acidity in paddy field, with the content of available silicon increased year by year and the increase amplitude became larger with the more amount of CSMP application. The traditional fertilization of local farmers resulted in soil acidification, with a acidification rate was 2.86 kmol H+·hm-2·a-1. CSMP application could effectively control soil acidification, producing a lot of alkalinity with net alkalinity production of 9.93-13.82 kmol OH-·hm-2·a-1. CSPM could release Ca2+, Mg2+ and alkali, which would mitigate soil acidification in paddy fields.

Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of the SPL gene family in woodland strawberry Fragaria vesca.

SQUAMOSA promoter-binding protein-like (SPL) is a class of plant-specific transcription factors that play critical roles in regulating plant growth and development. However, little systematic research on SPL genes has been conducted in strawberry. In this study, 14 SPL genes were identified in the genome of woodland strawberry (Fragaria vesca), one of the model plants of the family Rosaceae. Chromosome localization analysis indicated that the 14 FvSPL genes were unevenly distributed on six chromosomes. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the FvSPL proteins could be clustered into six groups (G1 to G6). Genes with similar structure were classified into the same group, implying their functional redundancy. In addition, nine out of the 14 FvSPL genes, belonging to G1, G2, and G5, were found to be the putative targets of FvmiR156 genes. Expression analysis indicated FvSPL genes exhibited highly diverse expression patterns in the tissues and organs examined. The transcript levels of most FvmiR156-targeted FvSPL genes in fruit were lower than those non-miR156-targeted genes. In addition, the expression of the FvmiR156-targeted FvSPL genes decreased during fruit ripening, whereas the expression of FvmiR156 genes increased in fruit during this process. The results provide a foundation for future functional analysis of FvSPL genes in strawberry growth and development.

Occurrence, spatial distribution, and ecological risks of typical hydroxylated polybrominated diphenyl ethers in surface sediments from a large freshwater lake of China.

Hydroxylated polybrominated diphenyl ethers (OH-PBDEs) have been frequently observed in marine aquatic environments; however, little information is available on the occurrence of these compounds in freshwater aquatic environments, including freshwater lakes. In this study, we investigated the occurrence and spatial distribution of typical OH-PBDEs, including 2'-OH-BDE-68, 3-OH-BDE-47, 5-OH-BDE-47, and 6-OH-BDE-47 in surface sediments of Taihu Lake. 3-OH-BDE-47 was the predominant congener, followed by 5-OH-BDE-47, 2'-OH-BDE-68, and 6-OH-BDE-47. Distributions of these compounds are drastically different between sampling site which may be a result of differences in nearby point sources, such as the discharge of industrial wastewater and e-waste leachate. The positive correlation between ∑OH-PBDEs and total organic carbon (TOC) was moderate (r = 0.485, p < 0.05), and site S3 and S15 were excluded due to point source pollution, suggesting that OH-PBDEs concentrations were controlled by sediment TOC content, as well as other factors. The pairwise correlations between the concentrations of these compounds suggest that these compounds may have similar input sources and environmental behavior. The target compounds in the sediments of Lake Taihu pose low risks to aquatic organisms. Results show that OH-PBDEs in Lake Taihu are largely dependent on pollution sources. Because of bioaccumulation and subsequent harmful effects on aquatic organisms, the concentrations of OH-PBDEs in freshwater ecosystems are of environmental concern.

Occurrence, distribution and risk assessment of suspected endocrine-disrupting chemicals in surface water and suspended particulate matter of Yangtze River (Nanjing section).

The occurrence and distribution of eight selected endocrine-disrupting chemicals were investigated in samples of surface water and suspended particulate matter (SPM) in Nanjing section of Yangtze River over a year (the flow period, the wet period and the dry period). All target compounds were detected at least once in surface water with 4-tert-butylphenol (4-TBP), nonyphenol (NP) and bisphenol A (BPA) as the dominant compounds, with concentrations in the range of 225-1121ng/L, 1.4-858ng/L and 1.7-563ng/L, respectively. Except for December, all selected compounds for the other sampling times were not found in all sampling points. NP (mean concentration 69.8µg/g) and BPA (mean concentration 51.8µg/g) were also the dominant estrogens in SPM. In addition, the highest total compounds concentrations were found in December in both phases, which could be due to the low flow conditions and temperature during this season. Meanwhile, a significant positive correlation was found between the total compounds concentrations in the water phase and those in SPM phase. Risk assessment based on the calculated risk quotients (RQ) showed that low and moderate risk for the aquatic environment from presence of the target compounds at all sampling points with exception of 4-TBP and NP which might pose a high risk to aquatic organisms.

Slug overexpression induces stemness and promotes hepatocellular carcinoma cell invasion and metastasis.

Detection of metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is crucial for early diagnosis. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a common event in the metastasis of tumor cells. Slug and Snail are homologous proteins, which play an important role in EMT. The present study aimed to investigate whether Slug and Snail overexpression is associated with the invasiveness of HCC in vitro and in vivo. Invasion, colony formation and wound healing assays, as well as flow cytometry analysis, were performed to examine the invasiveness and proliferation capabilities of HepG2 cells following transfection with cNDA or the siRNA of Slug or Snail. The effects of Slug on HCC in vivo were examined using a xenograft model. Slug upregulation increased the percentage of cluster of differentiation (CD)133+ cells among HepG2 cells, and induced cell invasion and proliferation; whereas Snail upregulation did not affect the cells in vitro. The Slug overexpression group exhibited the highest rate of tumor growth compared with the Snail overexpression and control groups in vivo. These findings demonstrated that Slug increases the percentage of CD133+ cells, promotes the clonigenicity of HCC cells and induces a stronger stemness in Slug-overexpressing cells. These changes activate dormant developmental pathways in invading tumor cells. Thus, Slug may serve as a novel target for HCC prognosis and therapy.

Interactions between m-phenylenediamine and bovine serum albumin measured by spectroscopy.

This study explored interactions between m-phenylenediamine (MPD) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) by spectrophotometry. The Stern-Volmer equation and UV-vis spectra examination at different temperatures and pH were used to explore different quenching mechanisms. Under simulated physiological conditions, the binding distance between MPD and BSA was 5.18 nm with a ratio of 1:1. The quenching effect of MPD on BSA intrinsic fluorescence depended strongly on pH, and maximum quenching was observed at alkaline pH. Moreover, the thermodynamic parameters of the MPD-BSA system showed that the predominant acting force between MPD and BSA was a hydrophobic force. The impact of MPD on the conformation of BSA and the effects of co-ions on binding interactions were also examined.

[Mechanism of endogenous carbon monoxide effect on hydrogen sulfide in guinea pigs with established allergic rhinitis].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of carbon monoxide (CO) on hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in guinea pigs with allergic rhinitis (AR) through intervention treatment. METHODS: AR model in guinea pigs was established by using ovalbumin. The animals were divided into three groups. Group one was sensitized continuously by ovalbumin, group two was treated with Hemin as induction group, and group three was treated with zinc protoporphyrin (ZnPP) as suppression group. The guinea pigs treated with saline were used as control. The behavior science scores, eotaxin concentration of nasal lavage, IgE in blood serum were recorded, and the plasma concentrations of CO and H2S were determined, then the expression of hemeoxygenase (HO)-1, cystathionine-beta-synthase (CBS) and cystathionine-gamma-lyase (CSE) were measured in nasal mucosa by fluorescent quantitative RT-PCR. RESULTS: The behavior science scores, concentration of eotaxin in nasal lavage, IgE in blood serum and concentration of CO in plasma of sensitized group were higher than those of control (P<0.01), and the expression of HO-1 in nasal mucosa was also higher than control [(7.61+/-2.80)x10(-3) vs (2.32+/-1.14)x10(-3), P<0.05]. All these items were higher when treated with Hemin and lower when treated with ZnPP (P<0.05). The concentration of H2S in plasma was lower than control with significant differences [(14.80+/-1.60) micromol/L vs (18.90+/-1.00) micromol/L, P<0.01], the expression of CSE was also lower than control (P<0.05), and both of them were lower with Hemin induced and higher with ZnPP (P<0.05). The expression of CBS was very low and had no significant differences between groups (P>0.05), so it indicated that the CSE was the key enzyme for endogenous H2S product in nasal mucosa. Moreover the concentration of H2S was negatively correlated with CO (r=-0.702, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Endogenous CO and H2S play a significant role in the pathogenesis of AR, and HO-1 and CSE are the main speed-relate enzymes respectively. The H2S is also influenced by CO.

[Effect of tongmal recipe on atherosclerosis in patients with early lower extremity arteriopathy caused by type 2 diabetes mellitus].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of Tongmai Recipe (TMR) on atherosclerosis (AS) in patients with early lower extremity arteriopathy disease (LEAD) caused by type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: Patients were randomly assigned to two groups. The 23 patients in the treatment group were treated by TMR and the 22 in the control group were given Cilostazo, all for 3 months. Before and after treatment, lower extremity vascular color Doppler image, blood levels of glucose, insulin, serum matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured. RESULTS: The thickness of AS plaque and that of arterial intima-media obviously reduced (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05), insulin sensitivity improved noticeably (P < 0.01), and serum levels of MMP-9 and IL-6 lowered obviously (P < 0.05) in the treatment group after treatment, but these indexes were unchanged in the control group statistically. CONCLUSION: TMR has remarkable action in reducing the thickness of AS plaque and intima-media of artery, its mechanism might be related with improving of insulin sensitivity and anti-inflammatory reaction, and reducing of serum MMP-9 level as well in patients.

[Influence of carbon monoxide on the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase mRNA in guinea pigs with allergic rhinitis.].

OBJECTIVE: To study the impact of carbon monoxide (CO) on expression levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA in guinea pigs with allergic rhinitis (AR). METHODS: Twenty four guinea pigs were divided randomly into four study groups with 6 guinea pigs in each. The guinea pigs in the first group were treated with saline only (Group 1, the healthy controls). The remaing guinea pigs were sensitized by ovalbumin and thus establishing the AR models. After sensitization, the animals in the second group remained untreated (Group 2, AR control group). The third group was treated with Hemin as the induction group, and the fourth group was treated with Zinc protoporphyrin (ZnPP) as the suppression group. The plasma concentration of carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) was measured, which represents the concentration of CO. The expression levels of Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and NOS mRNAs in nasal mucosa were determined by fluorescent quantitative RT-PCR. RESULTS: AR models were established successfully in all study guinea pigs. The concentrations of COHb (x(-) +/- s) in plasma of the second group (2.27% +/- 1.13%) were significantly (q = 4.10, P < 0.01) higher than those of healthy controls (1.08% +/- 0.24%). The plasma concentration of COHb in the third group (3.17% +/- 0.68%) were also significantly higher (q = 3.12, P < 0.05) than those in the second group. The expression levels of HO-1 and iNOS in nasal mucosa of the second group [(7.80 +/- 1.60) x 10(-3) and (5.81 +/- 0.05) x 10(-3), respectively] were also significantly (q equals 5.52 and 7.21, respectively, P < 0.01) higher than those of controls [(1.96 +/- 0.71) x 10(-3) and (0.97 +/- 0.05) x 10(-3), respectively]. The expression levels of HO-1 and iNOS in the nasal mucosa of the third group [(11.89 +/- 4.78) x 10(-3) and (7.42 +/- 0.70) x 10(-3), respectively] were significantly (q equals 3.86 and 2.22, P < 0.05) higher than those of the second group. The expression levels of HO-1 and iNOS in nasal mucosa of the fourth group [(3.82 +/- 0.98) x 10(-3) and (2.34 +/- 0.04) x 10(-3), respectively] were significantly (q equals 3.76 and 5.18, P < 0.05) lower than those in the second group. CONCLUSIONS: Endogenous carbon monoxide influenced the expression levels of iNOS in nasal mocusa in guinea pigs with AR.

Study on degradation of methyl orange using pelagite as photocatalyst.

Pelagite of East Pacific Ocean as a low-price, very high reserve photocatalyst, has been successfully used for the first time to realize total degradation and decoloration of methyl orange within 120 min through photocatalysis. The photocatalysis and degradation performance of pelagite for methyl orange under the effect of various factors has been studied. Results show that pelagite has satisfactory photocatalysis effect in degradation of organic compounds.

[Review of clinical and experimental studies on treatment of atherosclerosis with expelling phlegm and relieving blood stasis principle].

Atherosclerosis (AS) is one of the most essential factors to cause cardio-cerebrovascular diseases. Abundant experience has been acquired in treatment of AS by traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with its own distinctive diagnostic and therapeutic principles. To expell phlegm and relieve blood stasis, a hot topic of TCM therapeutic principle for AS, is reviewed in this paper.

[Apoptosis of laryngeal carcinoma cell line Hep2 induced by tumor-specific expression of TRAIL gene].

AIM: To explore targeted gene therapy of tumor by using the combination of TRAIL gene with the telomerase promoter. METHODS: TRAIL gene with an IL-2 signal peptide was constructed by PCR and cloned into vector pGL3-181hTERT downstream of hTERT promoter to form an eukaryotic expressing vector. Hep2 cells were transfected by the recombinant vector and apoptosis of the transfected cells was evaluated by trypan-blue exclusion and the agarosegel electrophoresis of DNA. RESULTS: We successfully constructed a recombinant eukaryotic expression vector for TRAIL gene.The expressed product significantly induced the apoptosis of Hep2 cells. CONCLUSION: The recombinant eukaryotic expression vector pGL3-181hTERT/TRAIL was successfully constructed, which provides the possibility for gene therapy of tumor.

[Effects of Shenmai Huoxue Decoction on early diabetic peripheral neuropathy in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of Shenmai Huoxue Decoction (SMHXD) on early diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) in rats. METHODS: The rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: normal group, diabetic model group and SMHXD-treated diabetic group. The diabetic rats were induced by streptozotocin (STZ) intraperitoneally. After the treatment, sensory nerve conduction velocity (SNCV) of caudal nerve was detected with evoked electromyography, and the activity of aldose reductase (AR) in erythrocytes and the concentration of endothelin (ET) in plasma were measured. RESULTS: It was showed that the SNCV reduced significantly and the activity of AR in erythrocytes and the concentration of ET in plasma were increased significantly in diabetic group as compared with those in the normal group. The SNCV was increased, and the activity of AR in erythrocytes and the concentration of ET in plasma were improved significantly in SMHXD-treated diabetic group after the treatment. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that SMHXD can alleviate the lesion of DPN in the early stage of diabetic rats.