Cadmium biosorption and mechanism investigation using two cadmium-tolerant microorganisms isolated from rhizosphere soil of rice.

Microbial remediation of cadmium-contaminated soil offers advantages like environmental friendliness, cost-effectiveness, and simple operation. However, the efficacy of this remediation process relies on obtaining dominant strains and a comprehensive understanding of their Cd adsorption mechanisms. This study identified two Cd-resistant bacteria, Burkholderia sp. 1-22 and Bacillus sp. 6-6, with significant growth-promoting effects from rice rhizosphere soil. The strains showed remarkable Cd resistance up to ∼200 mg/L and alleviated Cd toxicity by regulating pH and facilitating bacterial adsorption of Cd. FTIR analysis showed crucial surface functional groups, like carboxyl and amino groups, on bacteria played significant roles in Cd adsorption. The strains could induce CdCO3 formation via a microbially induced calcium precipitation (MICP) mechanism, confirmed by SEM-EDS, X-ray analysis, and elemental mapping. Pot experiments showed these strains significantly increased organic matter and enzyme activity (e.g., urease, sucrase, peroxidase) in the rhizosphere soil versus the control group. These changes are crucial for restricting Cd mobility. Furthermore, strains 6-6 and 1-22 significantly enhance plant root detoxification of Cd, alleviating toxicity. Notably, increased pH likely plays a vital role in enhancing Cd precipitation and adsorption by strains, converting free Cd into non-bioavailable forms.

Characterization and Antioxidant Activity of the Polysaccharide Hydrolysate from Lactobacillus plantarum LPC-1 and Their Effect on Spinach (Spinach oleracea L.) Growth.

This study presents a comparison between two hydrolysis systems (MnO2/H2O2 and ascorbic acid (VC)/H2O2) for the depolymerization of exopolysaccharide (EPS) from Lactobacillus plantarum LPC-1. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize these two degradation systems, resulting in two H2O2-free degradation products, MEPS (MnO2/H2O2-treated EPS) and VEPS (VC/H2O2-treated EPS), where H2O2 residues in the final products and their antioxidant activity were considered vital points. The relationship between the structural variations of two degraded polysaccharides and their antioxidant activity was characterized. Physicochemical tests showed that H2O2 had a notable impact on determining the total and reducing sugars in the polysaccharides, and both degradation systems efficiently eliminated this effect. After optimization, the average molecular weight of EPS was reduced from 265.75 kDa to 135.41 kDa (MEPS) and 113.11 kDa (VEPS), improving its antioxidant properties. Characterization results showed that the two hydrolysis products had similar major functional groups and monosaccharide composition as EPS. The crystal structure, main chain length, and branched chain number were crucial factors affecting the biological activity of polysaccharides. In pot testing, two degraded polysaccharides improved spinach quality more than EPS due to their lower molecular weights, suggesting the advantages of low-molecular-weight polysaccharides. In summary, these two degradation techniques offer valuable insights for further expanding the utilization of microbial resources.

Preparation of polysaccharide-conjugated selenium nanoparticles from spent mushroom substrates and their growth-promoting effect on rice seedlings.

Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) have gained significant attention in the agricultural field due to their favorable bioavailability and low toxicity, making them a highly researched subject. In this study, crude polysaccharides from spent mushroom substrate of Agrocybe aegerita (AaPs) were extracted for preparing the polysaccharide­selenium-nanoparticles (AaPs-SeNPs) by ascorbic acid reduction method. The structure of AaPs-SeNPs was analyzed and their growth-promoting effects on rice seedlings were studied by adopting different application methods. The results revealed that AaPs-SeNPs exhibited improved free radical scavenging ability, with a lower half-maximal inhibitory concentrations compared to AaPs. Rice seedlings treated with AaPs-SeNPs showed significant enhancements in growth characteristics when compared to AaPs treatment, and foliar application exhibited a better growth-promoting effect compared to root application. Moreover, the growth performance and antioxidant enzyme activities of rice seedlings were enhanced by the addition of AaPs-SeNPs, and the absorption efficiency of essential nutrients such as N/P/K and Fe/Zn/Mn was also improved at appropriate concentrations, which could be one of the key factors contributing to the improved growth performance of plants. This study provides new aspects for the utilization of SMS, and also offers new insights from the perspective of nutrient absorption on how polysaccharide-conjugated selenium nanoparticles enhance crop growth.

Effect of polydimethylsiloxane matrix elasticity on osteogenic differentiation of rat marrow stromal cells / 中华口腔医学杂志

Objective@#To investigate the effect of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) matrix elasticity on osteogenic differentiation of rat marrow stromal cells (rBMSC).@*Methods@#A series of PDMS composite substrates with different elastic modulus were constructed by adjusting the relative concentrations of cross-linking agent. The Young's modulus was used to describe the elasticity of PDMS after measurement by atomic force microscope (AFM). After surface modification, rBMSC was seeded on PDMS matrix, and 7 days after rBMSC was cultured on the five different Young's moduli matrix, the differences of osteogenic differentiation of rBMSC were observed by the method of real-time PCR, Western blotting, and alkaline phosphatase assay.@*Results@#The PDMS was suitable for cell culture after surface modification, and by altering the concentration of cross-linking agent, PDMS could mimic the majority of the tissues' elasticity in vivo. The related osteogenic differentiation markers expression showed significant difference between the five matrixes (P<0.05), including type Ⅰ collagen (Col-Ⅰ), osteocalcin (OCN), osteopontin (OPN) and bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2). The expression of osteogenic markers was up-regulated in the group that the Young's modulus was (354.1±40.9) kPa (P<0.05).@*Conclusions@#PDMS is a tunable elasticity matrix which could be used in the investigation of inducing rBMSCs into osteoblastic lineages. PDMS substrate stiffness has an obvious influence on rBMSC osteogenic differentiation.

Therapeutic Observation of Scalp Cluster Needling plus Acupuncture at Conception Vessel Points for Generalized Anxiety Disorder / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of scalp cluster needling plus acupuncture at Conception Vessel points in treating generalized anxiety disorder.Method Sixty eligible subjects were divided into a treatment group and a control group by the random number table, 30 cases each. The treatment group was intervened by scalp cluster needling plus acupuncture at Conception Vessel points including Tiantu (CV22), Danzhong (CV17), Zhongwan (CV12) and Xiawan (CV10); in the control group, Shenmen (HT7), Daling (PC7), Neiguan (PC6), Qimen (LR14), Xinshu (BL15), Hegu (LI4) and Taichong (LR3) were selected. The treatments were given once a day, 6 sessions followed by 1-day interval as a treatment course, for successive 8 courses in total. The Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) scores of the two groups were compared before and after the treatment and in the follow-up study; the clinical efficacies were also compared.Result The treatment protocols in the two groups were both effective in treating generalized anxiety disorder, while the markedly effective rate was significantly higher in the treatment group than in the control group (P<0.05). The HAMA scores after treatment and in the 1-month follow-up study were significantly different from the score before the treatment in both groups (P<0.01). There were significant differences in comparing the HAMA score between the two groups respectively after treatment and in the 1-month follow-up study (P<0.05). Conclusion Scalp cluster needling plus acupuncture at Conception Vessel points shows significant advantage in treating generalized anxiety disorder compared to the ordinary acupuncture method.

Therapeutic Observation of Scalp Cluster Needling in Treating Essential Tremor / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of scalp cluster needling in treating essential tremor.Method Sixty patients with essential tremor were randomized into two groups, 30 cases each. The treatment group was intervened by scalp cluster needling plus acupuncture at the bilateral dancing tremor control zone; the control group was intervened by acupuncture at the dancing tremor control zone alone. The total effective rate and tremor score were observed after 30-day treatment, and the relapse rate was investigated 3 months after the intervention via telephone. Result The total effective rate was 96.7% in the treatment group, significantly higher than 73.3% in the control group (P<0.05); the tremor score of the treatment group was significantly lower than that of the control group at the end of the intervention (P<0.01); the 3-month telephone follow-up study showed that the relapse rate of the treatment group was significantly lower than that of the control group (P<0.05).Conclusion Scalp cluster needling plus acupuncture at bilateral dancing tremor control zone can produce a more notable efficacy in treating essential tremor compared to acupuncture at the dancing tremor control zone alone.

Therapeutic Observation of Scalp Cluster Needling plus Acupuncture at Conception Vessel Points for Generalized Anxiety Disorder / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of scalp cluster needling plus acupuncture at Conception Vessel points in treating generalized anxiety disorder.Method Sixty eligible subjects were divided into a treatment group and a control group by the random number table, 30 cases each. The treatment group was intervened by scalp cluster needling plus acupuncture at Conception Vessel points including Tiantu (CV22), Danzhong (CV17), Zhongwan (CV12) and Xiawan (CV10); in the control group, Shenmen (HT7), Daling (PC7), Neiguan (PC6), Qimen (LR14), Xinshu (BL15), Hegu (LI4) and Taichong (LR3) were selected. The treatments were given once a day, 6 sessions followed by 1-day interval as a treatment course, for successive 8 courses in total. The Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) scores of the two groups were compared before and after the treatment and in the follow-up study; the clinical efficacies were also compared.Result The treatment protocols in the two groups were both effective in treating generalized anxiety disorder, while the markedly effective rate was significantly higher in the treatment group than in the control group (P<0.05). The HAMA scores after treatment and in the 1-month follow-up study were significantly different from the score before the treatment in both groups (P<0.01). There were significant differences in comparing the HAMA score between the two groups respectively after treatment and in the 1-month follow-up study (P<0.05). Conclusion Scalp cluster needling plus acupuncture at Conception Vessel points shows significant advantage in treating generalized anxiety disorder compared to the ordinary acupuncture method.

Therapeutic Observation of Scalp Cluster Needling in Treating Essential Tremor / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of scalp cluster needling in treating essential tremor.Method Sixty patients with essential tremor were randomized into two groups, 30 cases each. The treatment group was intervened by scalp cluster needling plus acupuncture at the bilateral dancing tremor control zone; the control group was intervened by acupuncture at the dancing tremor control zone alone. The total effective rate and tremor score were observed after 30-day treatment, and the relapse rate was investigated 3 months after the intervention via telephone. Result The total effective rate was 96.7% in the treatment group, significantly higher than 73.3% in the control group (P<0.05); the tremor score of the treatment group was significantly lower than that of the control group at the end of the intervention (P<0.01); the 3-month telephone follow-up study showed that the relapse rate of the treatment group was significantly lower than that of the control group (P<0.05).Conclusion Scalp cluster needling plus acupuncture at bilateral dancing tremor control zone can produce a more notable efficacy in treating essential tremor compared to acupuncture at the dancing tremor control zone alone.

[Correlation of homocysteine with diabetic microangiopathy and the change after drug intervention].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the correlation of homocysteine with diabetic microangiopathy and the change after drug intervention. METHODS: A total of 200 patients with type 2 diabetes were selected between January and December 2013. The patients were divide into group of no microvascular disease and group of microvascular lesion according to the complications. Blood lipid, blood glucose, renal function and serum homocysteine were deteced pre-treatment and after 6 months treatment.A total of 100 cases of healthy subjects with physical examination over the same period were selected as control group according to the principle of age and gender matching. RESULTS: SBP, DBP, TG, TC, LDL, FBG, 2 hPBG, HbA1, SUN, SCr and HCY in group of no microvascular disease and group of microvascular lesion were significantly higher than that in control group(P<0.01), while HDL were significantly lower(P<0.01); SBPDBP,SUN,SCr and HCY in group of microvascular lesion were significantly higher than that in group of no microvascular disease(P<0.01); Multi factor Logistic regression analysis showed blood pressure, urea nitrogen, serum creatinine and homocysteine levels are risk factors for microvascular complications in patients with diabetes mellitus; HCY after treatment were significantly lower than that before treatment in group of no microvascular disease and group of microvascular lesion than(P<0.01). CONCLUSION: High homocysteine levels are risk factor of diabetic microvascular disease, and the homocysteine levels can be reduced after treatment.

Correlation of homocysteine with diabetic microangiopathy and the change after drug intervention / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the correlation of homocysteine with diabetic microangiopathy and the change after drug intervention.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 200 patients with type 2 diabetes were selected between January and December 2013. The patients were divide into group of no microvascular disease and group of microvascular lesion according to the complications. Blood lipid, blood glucose, renal function and serum homocysteine were deteced pre-treatment and after 6 months treatment.A total of 100 cases of healthy subjects with physical examination over the same period were selected as control group according to the principle of age and gender matching.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>SBP, DBP, TG, TC, LDL, FBG, 2 hPBG, HbA1, SUN, SCr and HCY in group of no microvascular disease and group of microvascular lesion were significantly higher than that in control group(P<0.01), while HDL were significantly lower(P<0.01); SBPDBP,SUN,SCr and HCY in group of microvascular lesion were significantly higher than that in group of no microvascular disease(P<0.01); Multi factor Logistic regression analysis showed blood pressure, urea nitrogen, serum creatinine and homocysteine levels are risk factors for microvascular complications in patients with diabetes mellitus; HCY after treatment were significantly lower than that before treatment in group of no microvascular disease and group of microvascular lesion than(P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>High homocysteine levels are risk factor of diabetic microvascular disease, and the homocysteine levels can be reduced after treatment.</p>

[Hoxc13 and the development of hair follicle].

Hoxc13 belongs to the Abd-B class of Hox gene family, which participated in the hair follicle formation and hair growth regulation process. The structural protein of hair KP (keratin) and KAP (keratin-associated protein) expression is under regulation of Hoxc13, and then changes the characteristics of hair by regulating the composition of these two types of hair proteins and maintaining the normal morphology of hair follicle. In this review, we summarized that the relationship between the expression level of Hoxc13 and hair follicle development/hair growth and the mechanisim under the controling of Hoxc13 and relevant genes.

Anthocyanins extracted from Chinese blueberry (Vaccinium uliginosum L.) and its anticancer effects on DLD-1 and COLO205 cells / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Vaccinium uliginosum L. is a type of blueberry found in the Chinese Changbai Mountains. We extracted Vaccinium uliginosum Anthocyanins (A(V.uli)) to investigate its bioactivity on suppressing cancer cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A(V.uli) was extracted under different conditions of temperature (10°C - 35°C), pH 1.0 - 3.0, and diatomaceous earth (1.0 g - 3.0 g), followed by a HPLC analysis for the determination of the ingredients. Its anticancer bioactivities on human colon and colorectal cancer cells (DLD-1 and COLO205) were compared with those on Lonicera caerulea Anthocyanins (A(L.cae)) and Vaccinium myrtillus Anthocyanins (A(V.myr)), using cell viability assays, DNA electrophoresis and nuclear morphology assays.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The optimum process of A(V.uli) extraction involved conditions of temperature 20°C, pH 2.0, and diatomaceous earth 1.0 g/50 g of fruit weight. A(V.uli) contained 5 main components: delphinidin (40.70 ± 1.72)%, cyanidin (3.40 ± 0.68)%, petunidin (17.70 ± 0.54)%, peonidin (2.90 ± 0.63)% and malvidin (35.50 ± 1.11)%. The malvidin percentage was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than it in A(V.myr). A(V.uli) complied with a dose-dependent repression of cancer cell proliferation with an IC(50) (50% inhibitory concentration) value of 50 µg/ml, and showed greater anticancer efficiency than A(L.cae) and A(V.myr) under the same cell treatment conditions. These observations were further supported by the results of nuclear assays.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The extraction protocol and conditions we used were effective for anthocyanin extraction. A(V.uli) could be a feasible practical research tool and a promising therapeutic source to suppress human colon or colorectal cancers.</p>

[Examination of urogenital tract microorganism infection and antibiotic susceptibility test].

OBJECTIVE: To isolate bacteria, mycoplasma and chlamydia from the urogenital tract, and to determine their antibiotic susceptibility. METHODS: Bacteria, mycoplasma and chlamydia were isolated from the urogenital tract secretion by artifical culture, and their antibiotic susceptibility was detected by disk diffusion. RESULTS: The common microorganisms were S. epidermidis and corynebacberium, and the minority microorganisms were G- bacteria or E. coli. Bacteria were susceptible to amikacin, cephazolin V, rifampin, gentamycin, and docycyclin. CONCLUSION: S. epidermidis and corynebacterium are important pathogens of the urogenital tract infection. Disk susceptibility test can be used to screen the susceptible antibiotic.

[Reliability and validity of the Occupational Stress Scale for Chinese offshore oil platform workers].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the validity and reliability of the Occupational Stress Scale (OSS) for Chinese offshore oil platform workers. METHODS: A 51-item self-administered questionnaire developed in the light of Cooper's questionnaire and company's special situation was used to investigate 561 subjects. RESULTS: 51 occupational stress items relating to offshore oil production were subjected to factor analysis, and nine latent factors were identified, which explained 62.5% of the total variance. According to the contents described by the items included in each factor, they were respectively defined as: "the interface between job and family/social life (factor 1)", "career and achievement (factor 2)", "safety (factor 3)", "management problem and relationship with others at work (factor 4)", "physical factors of workplace (factor 5)", "platform living environment (factor 6)", "role in management (factor 7)", "ergonomics (factor 8)" and "organization structure (factor 9)". Significant difference in the score of five factors was observed among 12 different job categories by analysis of variance. After adjusting for potential confounding factors (age, educational level), hierarchical multiple regression analysis indicated that the score of the OSS was significantly and positively correlated with the poor mental health of the workers (P < 0.01). The consistent test between OSS and each factor showed that Cronbach's alpha were 0.72 - 0.91. CONCLUSION: The OSS is a valid and reliable tool for measuring occupational stress, and can be used to explore occupational stress and its influence on health and safety problems in offshore oil workers.

Reliability and validity of the Occupational Stress Scale for Chinese offshore oil platform workers / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the validity and reliability of the Occupational Stress Scale (OSS) for Chinese offshore oil platform workers.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A 51-item self-administered questionnaire developed in the light of Cooper's questionnaire and company's special situation was used to investigate 561 subjects.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>51 occupational stress items relating to offshore oil production were subjected to factor analysis, and nine latent factors were identified, which explained 62.5% of the total variance. According to the contents described by the items included in each factor, they were respectively defined as: "the interface between job and family/social life (factor 1)", "career and achievement (factor 2)", "safety (factor 3)", "management problem and relationship with others at work (factor 4)", "physical factors of workplace (factor 5)", "platform living environment (factor 6)", "role in management (factor 7)", "ergonomics (factor 8)" and "organization structure (factor 9)". Significant difference in the score of five factors was observed among 12 different job categories by analysis of variance. After adjusting for potential confounding factors (age, educational level), hierarchical multiple regression analysis indicated that the score of the OSS was significantly and positively correlated with the poor mental health of the workers (P < 0.01). The consistent test between OSS and each factor showed that Cronbach's alpha were 0.72 - 0.91.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The OSS is a valid and reliable tool for measuring occupational stress, and can be used to explore occupational stress and its influence on health and safety problems in offshore oil workers.</p>

[Experimental study on the viricidal effect of rough extracts of camptothecine fruit on herpes simplex virus-2 in vitro].

OBJECTIVE: To study the viricidal effect of rough extracts of camptothecine fruit on herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2). METHODS: Rough extracts with different concentrations were mixed with HSV-2. The mixture was incubated at 37 degrees C for 4 h or at 4 degrees C overnight, adsorbed on monolayer cells of BGM for 1.5 h, and cultured at 37 degrees C for 7 d. RESULTS: The BGM of the test group did not reveal cytopathic effects (CPE), while the control group showed CPE under microscope observation. CONCLUSION: Camptothecine has a strong viricidal effect on HSV-2.

The early diagnostic and differential diagnostic value of auditory P_(300) to vascular dementia / 临床神经病学杂志

Objective To explore the value of P_ 300 in early diagnosis of vascular dementia (VD) and possibility of P_ 300 in the differential diagnosis between VD and Alzheimer's disease (AD).Methods Hasegawa Dementia Scale (HDS) and P_ 300 of oddball auditory evoked model were performed in 20 normal controls,20 patients with VD,24 patients with cerebral infarction without dementia (CI) and 20 patients with AD.Results The peak latency (PL) of target N_2 and P_3 in VD group was obviously longer than those in CI and NC groups,the difference was dramatic(all P