Curcumin-loaded chitosan-based hydrogels accelerating S. aureus-infected wound healing.

The damaged skin for some reasons is vulnerable to invasion by bacteria and other harmful microorganisms, leading to delay of the wound healing. In order to promote the infected wound healing, curcumin was loaded with chitosan-based hydrogel was formed through phenylborate ester bonding and its properties and effects on the S. aureus-infected wound healing was tested. It was found the hydrogel showed good antioxidation on the intracellular reactive oxygen species, inhibition on the growth of S. aureus, and acceleration the infected skin healing. The ablity of hydrogel due to its regulating inflammation, promoting angiogenesis and collagen synthesis in the wound site. This research work suggested that the developed multifunctional hydrogel might be a beneficial treatment for the infected wound healing.

The extent of temporary water bodies increased in the drylands of northern China: a multiscale analysis based on MODIS data.

Understanding the dynamics of temporary water bodies (TWBs) is crucial for sustainable development in the drylands of northern China (DNC). Our objective was to quantify the dynamics of TWBs in the DNC between 2000 and 2015. First, we extracted TWBs in the DNC from 2000 to 2015 using the modified normalized difference water index based on Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer data. Then, we examined the spatiotemporal patterns of TWBs in the DNC at multiple scales, ranging from the entire region to basins. We found that the area of TWBs increased significantly in the DNC (5.97 thousand km2 in 2000 to 9.92 thousand km2 in 2015) at an annual growth rate of 4.41%. The Heilongjiang Basin had the largest increase in TWBs (848 km2 in 2000 to 3230 km2 in 2015), with an annual growth rate of 23.41%. Such growth was mainly attributed to changes in precipitation in the DNC. We also found that approximately 1/3 of the increase in TWBs was distributed over grasslands and barren lands, which provide valuable water resources that may improve biodiversity and ecosystem services in the DNC. Thus, we suggest that effective measures are needed to manage TWBs to achieve sustainable development in the DNC.

Water shortages raised a legitimate concern over the sustainable development of the drylands of northern China: Evidence from the water stress index.

Developing a greater understanding of water stress dynamics is crucial for sustainable development in global drylands. The primary goal of this study was to examine the water stress dynamics throughout the drylands of northern China (DNC). We first calculated the water stress index (WSI) of all 474 catchments in the DNC in 2003 and 2014. Then, we investigated the water stress dynamics in the DNC between 2003 and 2014 at multiple scales, which included the entire DNC, the drainage basins, and the main cities. In 2014, we found water stress in DNC over an area of 2.05×106km2, which accounted for 52.13% of the total area of the DNC. From 2003 to 2014, the water stress in the DNC increased primarily because of increases in the area of irrigated croplands and the population of urban areas, and the total increase in the water stress area reached 3.14×105km2, which accounted for 7.98% of the total area of the DNC. We also found that water shortages raised a legitimate concern over the sustainable development of the DNC because the population and urban land area exposed to water stress in the DNC have rapidly increased by 2.61×107 persons and 1.25×104km2 over the past two decades, respectively. Thus, we argue that effective actions are required to address the water stress in the DNC.