Anti-fibrosis Action of Therapy of Tonifying Kidney and Removing Stasis on Moderate-to-Severe Intrauterine Adhesions and Its Influence on Extracellular Matrix Degradation Related Factors in Menstrual Blood / 广州中医药大学学报

Objective To investigate the anti-fibrosis action of the therapy of tonifying kidney and removing stasis(shortened to Bushen Quyu method)on moderate-to-severe intrauterine adhesion and its influence on extracellular matrix degradation related factors in menstrual blood.Methods A total of 124 patients with moderate-to-severe intrauterine adhesions of kidney deficiency and blood stasis syndrome who were to undergo transcervical resection of adhesion(TCRA)were randomly divided into a study group and a control group,with 62 patients in each group.Both groups were given TCRA treatment.After the operation,the control group was treated with Progesterone + Estradiol Valerate Tablets,and the study group was treated with the combination of the Bushen Quyu method by using modified Guishen Decoction based on the treatment of the control group.The treatment covered 3 menstrual cycles.The changes in menstrual status,transvaginal color Doppler sonography parameters,scores of kidney deficiency and blood stasis syndrome,and scores of uterine adhesion in the two groups were observed before and after the treatment.Moreover,the two groups were observed before and after treatment in the changes of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF),transforming growth factor β1(TGF-β1),platelet-derived growth factor(PDGF),and connective tissue growth factor(CTGF)as well as the mRNA expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase 9(MMP-9),matrix metalloproteinase inhibitory factor 1(TIMP-1),phosphatidylinositol-3-hydroxykinase(PI3K)and collagen type I A1 protein(COL1A1).After treatment,the clinical efficacy and safety of the two groups were assessed.Results(1)After 3 menstrual cycles of treatment,the total effective rate in the study group was 93.55%(58/62),and that in the control group was 80.65%(50/62).The intergroup comparison showed that the therapeutic effect of the study group was significantly superior to that of the control group(P＜0.05).(2)After treatment,the menstrual flow,menstrual cycle and menstrual period of the two groups were significantly improved compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the recovery of menstrual flow,menstrual cycle and menstrual period in the study group was significantly superior to that in the control group after treatment(P＜0.05).(3)After treatment,the transvaginal color Doppler sonography parameters of uterine blood flow index(FI),pulsatility index(PI),resistance index(RI),uterine cavity volume,and endometrial thickness in the two groups were significantly improved compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05).And the study group had significantly higher FI,uterine cavity volume,and endometrial thickness and had lower PI and RI than the control group(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).(4)After treatment,the scores of uterine adhesion and the scores of kidney deficiency and blood stasis syndrome in the two groups were significantly decreased compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the above scores in the study group were significantly lower than those of the control group after treatment(P＜0.01).(5)After treatment,the levels of VEGF,TGF-β1,PDGF,and CTGF in the two groups were significantly decreased compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the levels of the above cytokines in the study group were significantly lower than those in the control group after treatment(P＜0.01).(6)After treatment,the relative mRNA expression levels of MMP-9 and PI3K in the menstrual blood of the two groups were significantly higher and the mRNA expression level of COL1A1 was significantly lower than that before treatment(P＜0.05).And the study group had higher mRNA expression levels of MMP-9 and PI3K in the menstrual blood than the control group after treatment(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).(7)The total incidence of adverse reactions in the control group was 25.81%(16/62)and that in the study group was 16.13%(10/62).The intergroup comparison showed that the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant(P＞0.05).The symptoms of adverse reactions in the two groups disappeared after symptomatic treatment,and there were no adverse reactions related to the medication of Chinese medicine during the study.Conclusion The combination of Bushen Quyu formula combined with western medicine is more effective than western medicine alone for the treatment of patients with uterine adhesions after TCRA.The application of Bushen Quyu formula can further promote the recovery of menstruation in the patients,improve the circulation of blood flow in the endometrium,increase the endometrial thickness,regulate the expression of fibrosis factors,up-regulate the mRNA expressions of PI3K and MMP-9,restore the balance of the extracellular matrix(ECM),and prevent the reoccurrence of intrauterine adhesions.And its clinical medication is safe.

Surgical reconstruction for injury to the distal radius: progress in clinical application / 中华创伤骨科杂志

The distal radius and the proximal row of carpal joints are important components of the carpal joint. Injury to the distal radius may result in decreased range of motion and strength of the wrist, and changes in the wrist appearance can hurt the patients. Developing microsurgical techniques, and updating orthopedic metal instruments and bone biological products provide more possible means for surgical reconstruction. Currently, reconstruction of the distal radius with autologous bone grafting is the mainstream surgical method, and the fibula and ilium are the main options for grafting. Moreover, other repair methods have also been reported, such as prosthetic repair and repair using the ulna to replace the radial function. This article reviews the main forms of surgical repair and reconstruction after distal radius injury reported in recent years, compares the clinical effects of different surgical methods, and summarizes the advantages and disadvantages of each surgical method, hoping to provide useful information for the treatment of distal radius injury.

Self-assembly of biological networks via adaptive patterning revealed by avian intradermal muscle network formation.

Networked structures integrate numerous elements into one functional unit, while providing a balance between efficiency, robustness, and flexibility. Understanding how biological networks self-assemble will provide insights into how these features arise. Here, we demonstrate how nature forms exquisite muscle networks that can repair, regenerate, and adapt to external perturbations using the feather muscle network in chicken embryos as a paradigm. The self-assembled muscle networks arise through the implementation of a few simple rules. Muscle fibers extend outward from feather buds in every direction, but only those muscle fibers able to connect to neighboring buds are eventually stabilized. After forming such a nearest-neighbor configuration, the network can be reconfigured, adapting to perturbed bud arrangement or mechanical cues. Our computational model provides a bioinspired algorithm for network self-assembly, with intrinsic or extrinsic cues necessary and sufficient to guide the formation of these regenerative networks. These robust principles may serve as a useful guide for assembling adaptive networks in other contexts.

Effect of Biling Qutong Prescription on SIRT3 Protein Expression and URAT1 mRNA in Skeletal Muscle of Diabetic Gout Rats / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective: To observe the effect of phlegm and blood stasis on the expressions of sirtuin 3(SIRT3)protein and urate transporter 1(URAT1) mRNA in skeletal muscle of diabetic rats with gout. Method: The 40 healthy rats, excepting the normal group, the remaining groups were fed with high-fat diet combined with low-dose streptozotocin solution (40 mg·kg-1) once a day, with blood glucose "16.7 mmol·L-1" as the criterion for the diabetes model. After 4 days, the 5% sodium urate solution was injected into the joint cavity once to induce the gout model. After the successful modeling, the Biling group (10 g·kg-1), the indomethacin group (5 mg·kg-1) and the pioglitazone group (10 mg·kg-1) continued to be administered for 21 days. The normal group and the model group were given the same amount of normal saline. The expression of SIRT3 protein in skeletal muscle tissue was determined by Western blot, URAT1 mRNA expression in bone tissue was detected by quantitative real-time fluorescence polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR),and blood was collected to measure blood glucose (GLU), blood uric acid (UA) and C-reactive protein (CRP). Result: Compared with the normal group, GLU, UA and CRP in the model group were significantly increased (PPPPPPPPConclusion: Biling Qutong prescription with effects in purging turbidity, detoxifying and dredging collaterals can significantly reduce the content of serum inflammatory factor CRP, significantly increase the protein expression of SIRT3 in skeletal muscle tissue of model rats, lower the content of URAT1 mRNA, reduce the blood glucose and blood uric acid levels in diabetic gout rats, and protect joints.

Evaluation of the performance of a minimally invasive thoracic drainage tube in a rabbit model of hemothorax / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the performance of a minimally invasive thoracic drainage tube (14 F) made of polyurethane (PU) in a rabbit model of hemothorax in comparison with the conventional 28 F chest tube (CCT).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty New Zealand rabbits were divided into experimental chest tube (ECT) group (n=9), CCT group (n=6), and blood provider group (n=15). Blood samples (20 mL) collected from the blood providing rabbits were injected into the chest cavity of the rabbits in the other two groups, and the time taken for closed drainage of the thoracic cavity was recorded. The rabbits in ECT and CCT groups were subjected to blood injections (20 mL for each injection) into the chest cavity every 20 min for 5 times, and the volumes of blood drained by ECT and CCT were measured. Two hours later, the rabbits were sacrificed and the residual blood and blood clots in the chest cavities were observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with CCT, the use of ECT significantly shortened the operation time (P<0.05) and produced more effective blood drainage at 20 min and 40 min after the placement of the drainage tube (P<0.05). No significant difference was found in the total blood volume drained between ECT and CCT groups, but the volume of residual blood in the thoracic cavity was significantly smaller in ECT group than in CCT group. No post-operative complications were found in the rabbits in ECT group while all the rabbits in CCT group had abutment pressure to the lung.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Compared to CCT, ECT is less invasive and allows more effective thoracic drainage with more convenient operation and reduced postoperative complications, suggesting its potential for use in closed thoracic drainage in single-port video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) or in pediatric patients.</p>

[Inhibition of decomposing leaf litter of Cinnamomum camphora on growth of Capsicum annu- um and the alleviation effect of nitrogen application].

Effects of decomposing leaf litter of Cinnamomum camphora on growth, physiological and phenological traits of Capsicum annuum, and modification of these effects by nitrogen application were investigated using a pot experiment. C. camphora leaf litter was applied at rate of 0, 25, 50 100 g per pot, resulting into four treatments, i.e., CK (the control), L25, L50, and L100. Nitrogen application was firstly performed on the 39th d of decomposition (3.0 g urea was added to each pot six times). Leaf area, plant height, basal diameter and biomass production of C. annuum were all inhibited sharply by exposure to the leaf litter, and the inhibition effect increased with the increasing leaf litter in terms of both the intensity and the stability. Treated with L25, budding number reduced by 88.7% averagely during 55th-75th d, and the rate of fructification plant decreased by 40% on the 96th d of decomposition, while neither buds nor fruits were observed when exposed to L50 and L100 at that time. Pigment contents and net photosynthetic rate (Pn) were impacted due to leaf litter addition, and malonaldehyde (MDA) was only markedly promoted by L100. Inhibition on growth and development of C. annuum caused by leaf litter decomposition could be alleviated by nitrogen application. Leaf area treated with leaf litter recovered to the control level on the 52nd d after nitrogen application, and similar results appeared on the 83rd d after nitrogen application for other growth traits. Budding and fructification status were also visibly improved.

[Response of fine root decomposition to simulated nitrogen deposition in Pleioblastus amarus plantation, rainy area of West China].

As an important contributor to carbon (C) flux in the global C cycle, fine root litter decomposition in forests has the potential to be affected by the elevated nitrogen (N) deposition observed globally. From November 2007 to January 2013, a field experiment involving monthly simulated deposition of N in a Pleioblastus amarus plantation was conducted in the Rainy Area of West China. Four levels of nitrogen deposition were included as control (0 g N x m(-2) x a(-1)), low nitrogen (5 g N x m(-2) x a(-1)), medium nitrogen (15 g N x m(-2) x a(-1)) and high nitrogen (30 g N x m(-2) x a(-1)). After 3 years of simulated N deposition experiment (January 2011) , a two-year fine root decomposition experiment was conducted in the simulated N deposition plots using litterbag method, under monthly experimental N deposition. The decomposition rates of fine roots were fast first and then slow. Mass loss of fine roots in the first year of decomposition was up to 60%, and the change of the remaining mass was very slow in the second year. The time of 50% and 95% mass loss of fine roots was 1.20 and 5.17 years, respectively, under the conditions of no addition N input. In general, decomposition rates were underestimated using negative exponential model. Simulated N deposition significantly inhibited the decomposition of fine roots. The remaining mass in the high nitrogen treatment was 51.0% higher than that in the control, after two years of decomposition. Simulated N deposition increased C, P and K contents in the remaining mass of litter. Compared with the control, soil pH decreased significantly in the medium and high nitrogen treatments, soil organic C, total N, ammonium and nitrate contents and fine root biomass of P. amarus increased significantly in the high nitrogen treatment after simulated N deposition for 4. 5 years. Key words: nitrogen deposition; fine root decomposition; Pleioblastus amarus.

Soil biochemical responses to nitrogen addition in a bamboo forest.

Many vital ecosystem processes take place in the soils and are greatly affected by the increasing active nitrogen (N) deposition observed globally. Nitrogen deposition generally affects ecosystem processes through the changes in soil biochemical properties such as soil nutrient availability, microbial properties and enzyme activities. In order to evaluate the soil biochemical responses to elevated atmospheric N deposition in bamboo forest ecosystems, a two-year field N addition experiment in a hybrid bamboo (Bambusa pervariabilis × Dendrocalamopsis daii) plantation was conducted. Four levels of N treatment were applied: (1) control (CK, without N added), (2) low-nitrogen (LN, 50 kg N ha(-1) year(-1)), (3) medium-nitrogen (MN, 150 kg N ha(-1) year(-1)), and (4) high-nitrogen (HN, 300 kg N ha(-1) year(-1)). Results indicated that N addition significantly increased the concentrations of NH4(+), NO3(-), microbial biomass carbon, microbial biomass N, the rates of nitrification and denitrification; significantly decreased soil pH and the concentration of available phosphorus, and had no effect on the total organic carbon and total N concentration in the 0-20 cm soil depth. Nitrogen addition significantly stimulated activities of hydrolytic enzyme that acquiring N (urease) and phosphorus (acid phosphatase) and depressed the oxidative enzymes (phenol oxidase, peroxidase and catalase) activities. Results suggest that (1) this bamboo forest ecosystem is moving towards being limited by P or co-limited by P under elevated N deposition, (2) the expected progressive increases in N deposition may have a potential important effect on forest litter decomposition due to the interaction of inorganic N and oxidative enzyme activities, in such bamboo forests under high levels of ambient N deposition.

Nitrogen addition significantly affects forest litter decomposition under high levels of ambient nitrogen deposition.

BACKGROUND: Forest litter decomposition is a major component of the global carbon (C) budget, and is greatly affected by the atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition observed globally. However, the effects of N addition on forest litter decomposition, in ecosystems receiving increasingly higher levels of ambient N deposition, are poorly understood. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We conducted a two-year field experiment in five forests along the western edge of the Sichuan Basin in China, where atmospheric N deposition was up to 82-114 kg N ha(-1) in the study sites. Four levels of N treatments were applied: (1) control (no N added), (2) low-N (50 kg N ha(-1) year(-1)), (3) medium-N (150 kg N ha(-1) year(-1)), and (4) high-N (300 kg N ha(-1) year(-1)), N additions ranging from 40% to 370% of ambient N deposition. The decomposition processes of ten types of forest litters were then studied. Nitrogen additions significantly decreased the decomposition rates of six types of forest litters. N additions decreased forest litter decomposition, and the mass of residual litter was closely correlated to residual lignin during the decomposition process over the study period. The inhibitory effect of N addition on litter decomposition can be primarily explained by the inhibition of lignin decomposition by exogenous inorganic N. The overall decomposition rate of ten investigated substrates exhibited a significant negative linear relationship with initial tissue C/N and lignin/N, and significant positive relationships with initial tissue K and N concentrations; these relationships exhibited linear and logarithmic curves, respectively. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: This study suggests that the expected progressive increases in N deposition may have a potential important impact on forest litter decomposition in the study area in the presence of high levels of ambient N deposition.

[Effects of Eucalyptus grandis leaf litter at its early stage of decomposition on the growth and photosynthetic characteristics of Cichorium intybus].

From March to May, 2010, a pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of Eucalyptus grandis leaf litter at its early stage of decomposition on the growth and photosynthetic characteristics of Cichorium intybus. Four treatments with different application rate of the leaf litter, i.e., 0 g x pot(-1) (CK), 30 g x pot(-1) (A1), 60 g x pot(-1) (A2), and 90 g x pot(-1) (A3), were installed. Each pot contained 12 kg soil mixed with the leaf litter, and then, C. intybus was sown. The growth indicators of the C. intybus were measured at the 30, 45, 60, and 75 d after sowing, and the photosynthetic characteristics of the C. intybus in treatment A3 were studied after the seedlings third leaf fully expanded. At each measured time, the biomass accumulation and leaf area growth of C. intybus in treatments A1, A2, and A3 were inhibited significantly. At the early stage of the leaf litter decomposition, the synthesis of photosynthetic pigments of the C. intybus seedlings was inhibited significantly, and the inhibition effect was getting stronger with the increasing amount of the leaf litter addition. The diurnal change of the seedlings photosynthetic rate in all treatments showed a bimodal curve with midday depression, the stomatal conductance and water use efficiency had the same variation trend with the net photosynthetic rate, and the total diurnal photosynthesis decreased in the order of CK > A1 > A2 > A3. The GC-MS analysis showed there were 33 kinds of small molecule compounds released gradually with the decomposition of the leaf litter, among which, allelopathic substance terpenoid dominated.

Nitrogen distribution and cycling through water flows in a subtropical bamboo forest under high level of atmospheric deposition.

BACKGROUND: The hydrological cycle is an important way of transportation and reallocation of reactive nitrogen (N) in forest ecosystems. However, under a high level of atmospheric N deposition, the N distribution and cycling through water flows in forest ecosystems especially in bamboo ecosystems are not well understood. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: In order to investigate N fluxes through water flows in a Pleioblastus amarus bamboo forest, event rainfall/snowfall (precipitation, PP), throughfall (TF), stemflow (SF), surface runoff (SR), forest floor leachate (FFL), soil water at the depth of 40 cm (SW1) and 100 cm (SW2) were collected and measured through the whole year of 2009. Nitrogen distribution in different pools in this ecosystem was also measured. Mean N pools in vegetation and soil (0-1 m) were 351.7 and 7752.8 kg ha(-1). Open field nitrogen deposition at the study site was 113.8 kg N ha(-1) yr(-1), which was one of the highest in the world. N-NH4(+), N-NO3(-) and dissolved organic N (DON) accounted for 54%, 22% and 24% of total wet N deposition. Net canopy accumulated of N occurred with N-NO3(-) and DON but not N-NH4(+). The flux of total dissolved N (TDN) to the forest floor was greater than that in open field precipitation by 17.7 kg N ha(-1) yr(-1), due to capture of dry and cloudwater deposition net of canopy uptake. There were significant negative exponential relationships between monthly water flow depths and monthly mean TDN concentrations in PP, TF, SR, FFL and SW1. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: The open field nitrogen deposition through precipitation is very high over the world, which is the main way of reactive N input in this bamboo ecosystem. The water exchange and N consume mainly occurred in the litter floor layer and topsoil layer, where most of fine roots of bamboo distributed.

Metformin reduces vascular endothelial dysfunction caused by an acute glucose load in patients with hypertension.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the effects of a single dose of metformin (MF) on endothelium-dependent vasodilatation and serum antioxidant and free fatty acid levels in patients with primary hypertension (PH) after an acute glucose load. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with untreated PH were randomized to a no-metformin group (PH, n = 34) and a metformin group (PH+ MF, n = 28) who received a single dose of 500 mg metformin before testing. Healthy volunteers (n = 31) served as a control group. Brachial artery endothelium-dependent flow-mediated vasodilatation (FMD) was determined at 0, 1, 2 and 3 h after glucose load. Levels of serum superoxide dismutase (SOD), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), anti-superoxide anion free radical (AntiO2) and free fatty acids (FFA) were measured. RESULTS: The FMD in the PH group decreased significantly 1 h after glucose load (PH: 10.9 ± 2.9% vs 13.67 ± 3.42% before glucose load). Metformin inhibited the effects of glucose load on FMD. At 1 h after acute glucose load, the concentrations of SOD, T-AOC and AntiO2 in the PH group decreased significantly compared with their fasting levels, and metformin inhibited the acute glucose load-induced decline in SOD and T-AOC levels. CONCLUSIONS: Metformin can prevent transient endothelial dysfunction caused by acute glucose load in patients with PH.

Effect of panax notoginseng powder on pathological features and expressions of VEGF and its receptors of chronic subdural hematoma rabbits: an experimental study / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of Panax notoginseng (PN) on pathological features in chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) rabbits and its mechanisms.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A stable pathological animal model similar to CSDH in humans could be established using subdural injections of small number of blood through a subdural pre-catheter in rabbits. After successful modeling, 18 rabbits were randomly divided into the model group, the low dose PN group (0.125 g/kg), and the high dose PN group (0.250 g/kg), 6 in each group. Normal saline was given to rabbits in the model group, while PN power was given to those in the PN groups by gastrogavage for 6 successive days. Pathologic features of the hematoma outer membrane were observed by HE staining. The activity of SOD and the content of MDA in the hematoma outer membrane were examined by the colorimetric method. Expressions of CD31, CD34, and VEGF in the hematoma outer membrane were observed by immunohistochemical assay. Expressions of VEGF in the peripheral blood and the subdural hematoma were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Expressions of VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2 in the hematoma outer membrane were detected by Western blot.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the model group, the inflammatory reaction was comparatively lessen and the proliferation of the fibrous tissue was relatively mature in the low and high dose PN groups. The activity of SOD increased (P < 0.05); expressions of CD31 and CD34 were reduced (P < 0.01); VEGF expression in the residual hematoma fluid decreased (P < 0.05) in the high dose PN group. Expressions of VEGF and VEGFR-2 were all reduced in the high and low dose PN groups (P < 0. 05, P < 0.01). Compared with the low dose PN group, expressions of CD31 and CD34 were reduced (P < 0.01), and the VEGFR-2 expression was also reduced (P < 0.05) in the high dose PN group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>PN could promote the fibrous repairing of subdural hematoma in CSDH rabbits. It also lessened inflammation and oxidative injury of the hematoma outer membrane and reduced expressions of VEGF. The pathological angiogenesis could be reduced through influencing VEGFR-2 receptor pathways, which might be an important mechanism.</p>

[Effects of simulated nitrogen deposition on soil enzyme activities in a Betula luminifera plantation in Rainy Area of West China].

From January 2008 to January 2009, a field experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of simulated nitrogen (N) deposition (0, 5, 15, and 30 g N x m(-2) x a(-1)) on the soil enzyme activities in a Betula luminifera plantation in Rainy Area of West China. As compared with the control (0 g N x m(-2) x a(-1)), simulated N deposition stimulated the activities of soil hydrolases (beta-fructofuranosidase, cellulase, acid phosphatase, and urease) significantly, but depressed the activities of soil oxidases (polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase). These results suggested that the increased exogenous inorganic N could stimulate soil microbial activity and increase the demands of both B. luminifera and soil microbes for C and P, whereas the depress of soil polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase activities under N addition could inhibit the degradation of litter and promote its accumulation in soil, leading to the increase of soil C storage in the B. luminifera plantation ecosystem.

[Effects of drought stress and nitrogen fertilization rate on the accumulation of osmolytes in Jatropha curcas seedlings].

A pot experiment with controlled water supply was conducted to study the effects of different drought stress degree (80% FC, 60% FC, 40% FC, and 20% FC) and nitrogen fertilization rate (0 g x pot(-1), 1.2 g x pot(-1), 3.6 g x pot(-1), and 6.0 g x pot(-1)) on the accumulation of osmolytes in different organs of Jatropha curcas seedlings. Under drought stress, the soluble protei and free proline in seedling shoots and roots and the soluble sugar in seedling shoots had a great accumulation, and the free proline content in seedling leaves had a great increase with increasing drought stress degree. Also under drought stress, the Na+, Ca2+, and Mg2+ all highly accumulated in seedling various organs, while K only accumulated greatly in shoots but slightly in leaves and roots. The effects of nitrogen fertilization on the accumulation of osmolytes in seedlings depended on drought stress degree and nitrogen fertilization rate. At 80% FC and 60% FC, increasing nitrogen fertilization rate could markedly promote the accumulation of osmolytes in the organs of J. curcas seedlings; at 40% FC, applying 6.0 g x pot(-1) weakened the promotion effect on the osmolytes accumulation; whereas at 20%, applying 1.2 g x pot(-1) made the plants have a higher capability in osmoregulation, but applying 3.6 g x pot(-1) and 6.0 g x pot(-1) had less promotion effect, and even, inhibited osmolytes accumulation.

[Characteristics of soil respiration components and their temperature sensitivity in a Pleioblastus amarus plantation in rainy area of West China].

To understand the characteristics of soil respiration components and their temperature sensitivity in a Pleioblastus amarus plantation in the Rainy Area of West China, a one-year periodic monitoring was conducted in a fixed plot of the plantation from February 2010 to January 2011. In the plantation, the mean annual soil respiration rate was 1.13 micromol x m(-2) x s(-1), and the soil respiration presented a clear seasonal pattern, with the maximum rate in mid-summer and the minimum rate in late winter. The contribution rates of the respiration of litter layer, root-free soil, and root to the total soil respiration of the plantation accounted for 30.9%, 20.8% and 48.3%, respectively, and the respiration of the components had a similar seasonal pattern to the total soil respiration, being related to temperature and litterfall. The annual CO2 efflux from the total soil respiration, litter layer CO2 release, root-free soil CO2 release, and root respiration was 4.27, 1.32, 0.87 and 2.08 Mg C x hm(-2) x a(-1), respectively. The total soil respiration and its components had significant positive linear correlations with litterfall, and significant positive exponential correlations with air temperature and the soil temperature at depth 10 cm. The Q10 values of total soil respiration, litter layer CO2 release, root-free soil CO2 release, and root respiration calculated based on the soil temperature were 2.90, 2.28, 3.09 and 3.19, respectively, suggesting that the temperature sensitivity of litter layer CO2 release was significantly lower than that of the total soil respiration and of its other components.

[Effects of Eucalyptus grandis leaf litter decomposition on the growth and photosynthetic characteristics of Cichorium intybus].

A pot experiment was conducted to study the effects of Eucalyptus grandis leaf litter during its early stage decomposition on the growth and the photosynthesis of Cichorium intybus. Each pot contained 12 kg soil mixed with different amounts of E. grandis leaf litter (30 g x pot(-1), A1; 60 g x pot(-1), A2; 90 g x pot(-1), A3; and 0 g x pot(-1), CK), and sowed with C. intybus. The growth indicators and the photosynthetic characteristics of C. intybus were measured after the third leaf of C. intybus seedlings fully expanded in treatment A3. At the early stage of leaf litter decomposition, the C. intybus biomass accumulation, leaf area growth, and synthesis of photosynthetic pigments were inhibited significantly, and the inhibition effect was getting stronger with the increasing amount of the leaf litter addition. The intercellular CO2 concentration of C. intybus was increased by litter addition, while the net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, and transpiration rate were significantly lower than those of the control. With the increase of leaf litter addition, all the parameters of C. intybus light response and CO2 response except CO2 compensation point showed an obvious downward trend, and there existed significant differences between the treatments of litter additions and the control. It was suggested that during the decomposition of E. grandis leaf litter, its allelopathic substances released gradually and acted on receptor plants, inhibited the synthesis of photosynthetic pigments and the photosynthesis of the receptors, decreased the receptors environmental adaptation ability, and accordingly, inhibited the growth of C. intybus.

Effects of combined glucose and fat load on endothelium-dependent brachial artery vasodilatation in hypertensive patients.

INTRODUCTION: This study investigated the effects of combined glucose and fat load on glucose and lipid metabolism, as well as on vascular endothelial function, in hypertensive patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 98 hypertensive patients were randomly divided into 3 groups that received an oral fat tolerance test (OFTT), an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) or a combined oral glucose and fat tolerance test (OGFTT). Endothelium-dependent flow-mediated brachial artery dilation (FMD) was measured by vascular ultrasound and was used as an indicator of vascular endothelial function. There were no significant differences in demographics or clinical characteristics among the 3 groups before the study. Immediately after the OGFTT, the serum triglyceride levels and the area under the curve for serum glucose in the OGFTT group were not significantly different from those in the other 2 groups. However, the 1-hour FMD in the OGFTT group was significantly reduced compared with that of the OGTT group (5.45 ± 0.75 versus 9.46 ± 1.32, P < 0.05), and the 4-hour FMD in the OGFTT group was also significantly reduced compared with the OFTT group (8.56 ± 1.09 versus 9.76 ± 2.00, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: A combined glucose and fat load has a cumulative effect on vascular endothelial dysfunction in hypertensive patients.

[Effects of simulated nitrogen deposition on soil respiration in a Bambusa pervariabilis x Dendrocala mopsi plantation in rainy area of West China].

From January 2008 to February 2009, a field experiment was conducted in Rainy Area of West China to understand the effects of nitrogen (N) deposition on the soil respiration in a Bambusa pervariabilis x Dendrocala mopsi plantation. Four treatments were installed, i. e., no N added (control), 5 g N m(-2) a(-1) (low-N), 15 g N m(-2) a(-1) (medium-N), and 30 g N m(-2) a(-1) (high-N), and soil respiration rate was determined by infra-red CO2 analyzer. In the plantation, soil respiration rate had an obvious seasonal change, with the maximum in July and the minimum in January. In control plot, the annual cumulative soil respiration was (389 +/- 34) g m(-2) a(-1). Soil respiration rate had significant positive exponential relationships with soil temperature at 10 cm depth and air temperature, and significant positive linear relationships with soil microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and nitrogen (MBN). Simulated N deposition promoted soil respiration significantly, with significant differences between the low- and medium-N and the control but no significant difference between high-N and the control. In control plot, surface soil (0-20 cm) MBC and MBN were 0.460 and 0.020 mg g(-1), respectively. In N-added plots, both the MBC and the MBN had significant increase. The fine root density in surface soil was 388 g m(-2), which was less affected by simulated N deposition. The soil respiration Q10 value calculated from soil temperature at 10 cm depth and air temperature was 2.66 and 1.87, respectively, and short-term N deposition had lesser effects on the Q10 value. The variation of soil respiration in the plantation was mainly controlled by temperature and soil microbial biomass, and simulated N deposition could increase the CO2 emission via increasing soil microbial biomass.

[Effects of simulated nitrogen deposition on soil respiration in a Neosinocalamus affinis plantation in rainy area of west China].

From December 2007 to November 2008, an in situ experiment was conducted to study the effects of simulated nitrogen deposition on the soil respiration in a Neosinocalamus affinis plantation in Rainy Area of West China. Four treatments were installed, i.e., 0 (CK), 50, 150, and 300 kg N x hm(-2) x a(-1), and soil respiration rate was measured by infrared gas analyzer. In the test plantation, soil respiration rate had a distinct seasonal fluctuation, with the highest (3.36 +/- 0.20 micromol x m(-2) x s(-1)) by the end of July and the lowest by the end of February (0.33 +/- 0.07 micromol x m(-2) x s(-1)). There was a significant exponential relationship (P<0.001) between soil respiration rate and soil temperature, and the temperature at 10 cm soil depth explained 91.6% of the seasonal change of soil respiration. However, less relationship was observed between soil respiration rate and soil moisture content (R2 = 0.0758). From June to November 2008, the contribution of root respiration to total soil respiration ranged from 46% to 59%. The annual release amount of CO2 in treatments 50, 150, and 300 kg x hm(-2) x a(-1) was 23.6% , 46.7%, and 50.5% lower than that in CK (2.17 x 10(4) kg x hm(-2)), and the Q10 value of soil respiration rate in treatments 0, 50, 150, and 300 kg x hm(-2) x a(-1) was 3.72, 3.51, 2.95, and 2.71, respectively.