Factors impacting the behavior of phytoremediation in pesticide-contaminated environment: A meta-analysis.

Phytoremediation provides substantial advantages, including eco-friendliness, cost-effectiveness, efficiency, and visual appeal. However, the current knowledge of the factors influencing phytoremediation in pesticide-contaminated environments remains limited. It is critical to understand phytoremediation and the factors affecting the variation in removal efficiency. In this study, we compiled 72 previous research articles to quantify plant-induced improvements in removal efficiency and identify factors that influence variations in phytoremediation behavior through meta-analysis. We observed a significant increase in the removal efficiency of phytoremediation compared to the control group which did not involve phytoremediation. Pesticides significantly affect removal efficiency in terms of their modes of action, substance group, and properties. Plants demonstrated higher efficiency in remediating environments contaminated with pesticides possessing lower molecular masses and log Kow values. Plant species emerged as a crucial determinant of variations in removal efficiency. Annual plants exhibited a 1.45-fold higher removal efficiency than perennial plants. The removal efficiencies of different plant types decreased in the following order: agri-food crops > aquatic macrophytes > turfgrasses > medicinal plants > forage crops > woody trees. The Gramineae family, which was the most prevalent, demonstrated a robust and consistent phytoremediation ability. This study offers a more comprehensive triangular relationship between removal efficiency, pesticides, and plants, expanding the traditional linear model. Our findings offer valuable insights into the behavior of phytoremediation in pesticide-contaminated environments and the factors determining its success, ultimately guiding further research toward developing strategies for higher removal efficiency in phytoremediation.

Evaluation of Traumatic Subdural Hematoma Volume by Using Image Segmentation Assessment Based on Deep Learning.

Rapid and accurate evaluations of hematoma volume can guide the treatment of traumatic subdural hematoma. We aim to explore the consistency between the measurement results of traumatic subdural hematoma (TSDH) using a deep learn-based image segmentation algorithm. A retrospective study was conducted on 90 CT images of patients diagnosed with TSDH in our hospital from January 2019 to January 2022. All image data were measured by manual segmentation, convolutional neural networks (CNN) algorithm segmentation, and ABC/2 volume formula. With manual segmentation as the "golden standard," a consistency test was carried out with CNN algorithm segmentation and ABC/2 volume formula, respectively. The percentage error of CNN algorithm segmentation is less than ABC/2 volume formula. There is no significant difference between CNN algorithm segmentation and manual segmentation (P > 0.05). The area under curve of the ABC/2 volume formula, manual segmentation, and CNN algorithm segmentation is 0.811 (95% CI: 0.717~0.905), 0.840 (95% CI: 0.753~0.928), and 0.832 (95% CI: 0.742~0.922), respectively. From our results, the algorithm based on CNN has a good efficiency in segmentation and accurate calculation of TSDH hematoma volume.

Tissue kallikrein: A potential serum biomarker to predict delayed cerebral ischemia in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: Delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) is a severe complication after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). Tissue kallikrein (TK), a subgroup of serine proteinases, is an important component of the kallikrein-kinin system. Exogenous TK attenuated cerebral vasospasm in a rabbit model of subarachnoid hemorrhage. We intended to discern association of serum TK levels with aSAH-related DCI. METHODS: Serum TK levels were detected in a total of 92 aSAH patients and 92 healthy controls. A multivariate logistic regression model was configured to investigate relationship between TK levels and occurrence of DCI. RESULTS: TK levels were substantially lower in aSAH patients than in controls. TK levels were strongly correlated with World Federation of Neurological Surgeons (WFNS) score and modified Fisher score. Serum TK, WFNS score and modified Fisher score retained as the three independent predictors for DCI. Under receiver operating characteristic curve, predictive capability of TK levels was in the range of WFNS score and modified Fisher score, as well as TK levels could remarkably improve predictive abilities of WFNS score and modified Fisher score. CONCLUSIONS: Serum TK emerges as a potential biomarker for assessment of hemorrhagic severity and prediction of DCI following aSAH.

Serum lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 as a promising prognostic biomarker in association with 90-day outcome of acute intracerebral hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) is reflective of vascular inflammation and plays a role in the pathophysiology of cerebrovascular disease. We determine usefulness of serum Lp-PLA2 as a prognostic biomarker for intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). METHODS: In this prospective, observational study, serum Lp-PLA2 concentrations were detected among 164 patients with acute spontaneous basal ganglia hemorrhage and 164 healthy controls. Using multivariate analysis, we analyzed its association with poor outcome (modified Rankin Scale >2) at poststroke 90 days and hemorrhagic severity indicated by National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score and hematoma volume. RESULTS: Serum Lp-PLA2 concentrations were remarkably higher in patients than in controls. Lp-PLA2 concentrations were independently correlated with NIHSS score (t = 5.095, P < .001) and hematoma volume (t = 2.850, P = .005). At 90-day follow-up, 85 patients (51.8%) had poor outcome. Under receiver operating characteristic curve, serum Lp-PLA2 showed a significant prognostic discriminatory capability (AUC, 0.813; 95% CI, 0.744-0.869). Serum Lp-PLA2 concentrations ≥304 ng/ml was an independent predictor associated with poor outcome (OR 7.052; 95% CI 1.971-25.228). CONCLUSIONS: Rising serum Lp-PLA2 concentrations are closely hemorrhagic severity and clinical outcomes after ICH, substantializing serum Lp-PLA2 as a potential prognostic biomarker of ICH.

Toxicity Assessment of Cadinene Sesquiterpenes from Eupatorium adenophorum in Mice.

This study evaluated toxic efficacy of Eupatorium adenophorum extracts, against the Kunming mice. In acute study, we firstly tested median lethal dose (LD50) in mice of three cadinene sesquiterpenes 2-deoxo-2-(acetyloxy)-9-oxoageraphorone (DAOA), 9-oxo-agerophorone (OA) and 9-oxo-10,11-dehydro-agerophorone (ODA) from Eupatorium adenophorum (Ea). DAOA (215-4640 mg/kg BW, given orally) showed lowest LD50 at 926 mg/kg BW for male mice in contrast with OA (1470 mg/kg BW) and ODA (1470 mg/kg BW). In sub-acute study, repeated doses (75-300 mg/kg BW, for 7 days) of DAOA/OA increased blood parameters, liver and spleen index in dose dependent relationship, along with decrease in thymus index. The blood biochemical and histopathological examination showed that DAOA/OA dose 300 mg/kg BW significantly causes pathological changes of hepatic lobules and hepatocytes, which are consistent with cholestasis and hepatic injury. 75 mg/kg dose of DAOA/OA was found to be approximately/totally safe over the span of 7 days treatment showing no change in all above described parameters. Cadinene sesquiterpenes guarantee low risk to environment as a type of low toxic botanical components, which may find potential application in biopesticides development field.

Suppression of scinderin modulates epithelial­mesenchymal transition markers in highly metastatic gastric cancer cell line SGC­7901.

Scinderin is a Ca2+­dependent filamentous actin (F­actin) severing and capping protein, which has a key role in regulated secretion. However, little is known regarding the function and mechanism of scinderin in human carcinoma development and progression. In the present study, the biological function of scinderin was investigated using a cell proliferation assay, flow cytometric analysis and a Transwell assay in highly tumorigenic and the metastatic human gastric cancer cell line SGC­7901 transfected with scinderin­small hairpin RNA lentivirus. The changes in the expression of epithelial­mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers were also investigated. The results indicated that scinderin knockdown effectively suppressed proliferation, reduced migration and arrested the cell cycle of the SGC­7901 cells at G2/M phase. Furthermore, scinderin knockdown altered the expression of EMT markers; the expression of E­cadherin was significantly upregulated, along with an evident decrease in N­cadherin and ß­catenin expression. In conclusion, the present study suggested that suppression of scinderin impaired proliferation and migration of gastric cancer SGC­7901 cells and attenuates its EMT process. Scinderin may therefore be a potential target for tumor EMT and therapy against gastric cancer.

Evaluation of the combination of 1,3-dichloropropene and dazomet as an efficient alternative to methyl bromide for cucumber production in China.

BACKGROUND: The combination of 1,3-dichloropropene (1,3-D) and dazomet (DZ) offers a potential alternative to methyl bromide (MB) for soil disinfection. MB is scheduled to be withdrawn from routine use by 2015 in developing countries. Combination treatments of 1,3-D + DZ were evaluated in a laboratory study and in two commercial cucumber fields. RESULTS: Laboratory studies found that nearly all of the tested combinations of 1,3-D and DZ displayed positive synergistic activity on root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.), two major soilborne fungi (Fusarium spp. and Phytophthora spp.) and the seeds of two major weed species (Digitaria sanguinalis and Abutilon theophrasti). Field trials revealed that the combination of 1,3-D and DZ (at 10 + 25 g m(-2) ) successfully suppressed Meloidogyne spp. root galling, sharply reduced Fusarium spp. and Phytophthora spp. and maintained high cucumber yields. The combination treatment of 1,3-D + DZ was more effective than 1,3-D or DZ alone and provided results similar to methyl bromide with respect to pest control, plant mortality, plant height, yield and income. All of the treatments were significantly better than the non-treated control. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that the tested combination of 1,3-D and DZ offers an efficient alternative to methyl bromide for cucumber production.