Farmland phytoremediation in bibliometric analysis.

Phytoremediation is an environmentally friendly, economical, and sustainable technique for restoring farmland. It can remove heavy metals and organic pollutants from the soil through the implementation of hyperaccumulator plants. In recent years, it has garnered significant interest from academic and industrial sectors. This article screened 368 research papers from the Web of Science core collection database related to farmland phytoremediation and conducted a bibliometric analysis of the domain based on CiteSpace. The paper intuitively demonstrates the most influential countries, the most productive institutions, the most contributing groups of authors, and the primary sources of farmland phytoremediation research domain. The findings additionally indicate that the research hotspots include: (1) mechanisms and principles of phytoremediation, (2) the improvement of restoration efficiency, (3) the economic, ecological, and sustainable development of phytoremediation. The exploration of plants with potential to accumulate heavy metals and produce large amounts of biomass is the research frontier within the field of farmland phytoremediation. Additionally, this bibliometric analysis can help scholars willing to work in this research field by concisely understanding the overall research field and frontiers. With the continuous improvement of phytoremediation and its combination with other remediation technologies, the future of farmland remediation will have a promising prospect.

Cut-off values of haemoglobin and clinical outcomes in incident peritoneal dialysis: the PDTAP study.

BACKGROUND: To explore the cut-off values of haemoglobin (Hb) on adverse clinical outcomes in incident peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients based on a national-level database. METHODS: The observational cohort study was from the Peritoneal Dialysis Telemedicine-assisted Platform (PDTAP) dataset. The primary outcomes were all-cause mortality, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and modified MACE (MACE+). The secondary outcomes were the occurrences of hospitalization, first-episode peritonitis and permanent transfer to haemodialysis (HD). RESULTS: A total of 2591 PD patients were enrolled between June 2016 and April 2019 and followed up until December 2020. Baseline and time-averaged Hb <100 g/l were associated with all-cause mortality, MACE, MACE+ and hospitalizations. After multivariable adjustments, only time-averaged Hb <100 g/l significantly predicted a higher risk for all-cause mortality {hazard ratio [HR] 1.83 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.19-281], P = .006}, MACE [HR 1.99 (95% CI 1.16-3.40), P = .012] and MACE+ [HR 1.77 (95% CI 1.15-2.73), P = .010] in the total cohort. No associations between Hb and hospitalizations, transfer to HD and first-episode peritonitis were observed. Among patients with Hb ≥100 g/l at baseline, younger age, female, use of iron supplementation, lower values of serum albumin and renal Kt/V independently predicted the incidence of Hb <100 g/l during the follow-up. CONCLUSION: This study provided real-world evidence on the cut-off value of Hb for predicting poorer outcomes through a nation-level prospective PD cohort.

Identification of potential immunomodulators from Pulsatilla decoction that act on therapeutic targets for ulcerative colitis based on pharmacological activity, absorbed ingredients, and in-silico molecular docking.

BACKGROUND: Pulsatilla decoction (Bai-Tou-Weng-Tang, BTWT) is a classic formula prescription of a traditional Chinese medicine that is used to treat ulcerative colitis (UC). However, its active components and underlying mechanism of action remain unclear. In the present study, we aimed to identify potential immunomodulators from BTWT that act at therapeutic targets for UC. METHODS: The protective effects of BTWT granules were examined in mice with colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium. The absorbed components of BTWT were identified using LC-MS, and selected protein targets of these components in UC were investigated using molecular docking. RESULTS: Oral administration of BTWT granules significantly alleviated disease severity and colon shortening, and inhibited the inflammatory response in mice with chronic colitis. In these mice, 11 compounds from the BTWT granules were detected in the serum and/or colon. The molecular docking study demonstrated that compounds from Radix pulsatillae, such as anemoside A3, interacted with STAT3 and S1PR1; compounds from Rhizoma coptidis and/or Cortex phellodendri, such as palmatine, interacted with JAK3, PD-1, and PD-L1; and components of Cortex fraxini such as aesculin interacted with S1PR1, JAK3, STAT3 and PD-L1. Further in-vitro experiments showing that the compounds inhibited TNF-α and IL-6 production and STAT3 activation in RAW 264.7 cells suggested that these compounds have immunomodulatory activities. CONCLUSION: We revealed for the first time that 11 absorbed ingredients from BTWT were immunomodulators against therapeutic targets for UC. These findings suggest that the identified compounds are the active components of BTWT, and the identified protein targets underlie the mechanism of action of BTWT against UC.

Telemedicine and Clinical Outcomes in Peritoneal Dialysis: A Propensity-Matched Study.

INTRODUCTION: Telemedicine (TM) has shown to provide potential benefits on clinical outcomes in patients with chronic kidney disease but limited evidences published in the peritoneal dialysis (PD) population. This study aimed to explore the long-term effects of TM on the mortality and technique failure. METHODS: The Peritoneal Dialysis Telemedicine-assisted Platform Cohort Study (PDTAP Study) was conducted prospectively in 27 hospitals in China since 2016. Patient and practice data were collected through the doctor-end of the TM app (Manburs) for all participants. TM including self-monitoring records, on-line education materials, and real-time physician-patient contact was only performed for the patient-end users of the Manburs. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. The secondary outcomes were cause-specific mortality and all-cause and cause-specific permanent transfer to hemodialysis. RESULTS: A total of 7,539 PD patients were enrolled between June 2016 and April 2019, with follow-up till December 2020. Patients were divided into two cohorts: TM group (39.1%) and non-TM group (60.9%). A propensity score was used to create 2,160 matched pairs in which the baseline covariates were well-balanced. There were significantly lower risks of all-cause mortality (HR 0.59 [0.51, 0.67], p < 0.001), CVD mortality (HR 0.59 [0.49, 0.70], p < 0.001), all-cause transfer to hemodialysis (0.57 [0.48, 0.67], p < 0.001), transfer to hemodialysis from PD-related infection (0.67 [0.51, 0.88], p = 0.003), severe fluid overload (0.40 [0.30, 0.55], p < 0.001), inadequate solute clearance (0.49 [0.26, 0.92], p = 0.026), and catheter-related noninfectious complications (0.41 [0.17, 0.97], p = 0.041) in the TM group compared with the non-TM group. CONCLUSION: This study indicated real-world associations between TM usage and reduction in patient survival and technique survival through a multicenter prospective cohort.

Anemoside B4 protects against chronic relapsing colitis in mice by modulating inflammatory response, colonic transcriptome and the gut microbiota.

BACKGROUND: Anemoside B4 (AB4) is reported to prevent acute colitis when given via intraperitoneal injection by two recent studies. However, whether oral AB4 protects against chronic colitis which resembles the clinical phenotype of ulcerative colitis (UC) and its mechanism of action are largely unknown. PURPOSE: To systemically investigate the effects of oral AB4 against chronic colitis and illustrate the underlying mechanism of action. METHODS: The preventive, therapeutic, and dose-dependent effects of AB4 against UC were examined in mice with acute or chronic relapsing colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). The inflammatory responses, colonic transcriptome, and 16S rDNA sequencing of the intestinal content of mice were analyzed. RESULTS: Oral administration of AB4 alleviated disease severity and colon shortening in mice with chronic relapsing colitis in a dose-dependent manner. The effects of AB4 were comparable to those of two positive-control compounds: tofacitinib and berberine. Unlike tofacitinib, AB4 did not have a deleterious effect on DSS-induced splenic swelling and anemia. Furthermore, AB4 inhibited the inflammatory responses of colitis, as evidenced by in-vivo, ex-vivo, and in-vitro studies. Transcriptomics revealed that AB4 treatment reversed the DSS-mediated decrease in the expression of colonic Pelo, B3gat2 and Mir8010. In addition, AB4 reversed DSS-induced alterations in the intestinal microbiome in mice. Through fecal microbiota transplantation, we proved that AB4 partially exerted its anti-colitis effects by modulating the gut microbiota. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated for the first time that AB4 has dose-dependent therapeutic effects against chronic relapsing colitis by modulating the inflammatory response, colonic gene expression, and intestinal microbiota.

Anemoside B4 ameliorates experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in mice by modulating inflammatory responses and the gut microbiota.

BACKGROUND: Anemoside B4 (AB4) is a representative component of Pulsatilla decoction that is used in traditional Chinese medicine for treating inflammatory conditions. It is not known whether AB4 has beneficial effects on multiple sclerosis (MS). METHODS: In the present study, we examined the preventative and therapeutic effects of AB4, and the possible mechanism by which it protects female mice against experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). RESULTS: Preventative treatment with AB4 (given orally at 100 and 200 mg/kg for 18 days) reduced the clinical severity of EAE significantly (from 3.6 ± 1.3 to 1.8 ± 1.5 and 1.6 ± 0.6, respectively), and inhibited demyelination and inflammatory infiltration of the spinal cord. In the therapeutic protocol, oral administration of 200 mg/kg AB4 for 21 days after initiation of EAE significantly alleviated disease severity (from 2.6 ± 1.3 to 0.9 ± 0.6) and was as effective as the clinically used drug fingolimod (0.3 ± 0.6). Furthermore, both doses of AB4 significantly inhibited mRNA expression of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-17, and STAT3 activation, in the spinal cord; and the ex vivo and iv vitro AB4 treatment markedly inhibited secretion of the three cytokines from lymphocytes of EAE mice upon in vitro restimulation. In addition, AB4 reversed the changes in the composition of the intestinal microbiome observed in EAE mice. CONCLUSION: We reveal for the first time that AB4 protects against EAE by modulating inflammatory responses and the gut microbiota, demonstrating that AB4 may have potential as a therapeutic agent for treating MS in humans.

MiR-139 inhibits proliferation, migration and invasion of osteosarcoma cell line MG63 via down-regulating integrin subunit alpha V(ITGAV).

OBJECTIVES: Osteosarcoma is a relatively common primary malignant bone tumor in clinic, which frequently occurs in children and adolescents. It is essential to clarify the molecular mechanism of osteosarcoma to provide better diagnosis and treatment. Abnormal expression of miRNAs is closely related to the pathogenesis and progression of osteosarcoma. MiRNAs play a regulatory role in tumorigenesis and development of osteosarcoma. The purpose of this study is to reveal the working mechanism of miR-139/ITGAV axis in osteosarcoma progression. METHODS: ITGAV and miR-139 expression was detected in osteosarcoma tissues or paracancerous normal tissues. TargetScan and Double luciferase reporter gene assay were adopted to verify weather ITGAV was the target gene of miR-139. Western blot and qRT-PCR were used to evaluate the effects of miR-139 on ITGAV. CCK8, Flow cytometry, Transwell and Cell wound scratch assay were used to measure the effects of miR-139 and ITGAV on cell cycle, proliferation, migration and invasion of MG63, respectively. A nude mouse xenograft model of cervical cancer was constructed to observe the effects of miR-139 on the tumor growth. RESULTS: We found that the expression of miR-139 in osteosarcoma tissue was significantly reduced, while the expression of ITGAV was significantly increased. MiR-139 could specifically bind to the 3'-UTR of ITGAV and negatively regulate its expression. Transfection of miR-139 mimic could inhibit the proliferation, S-phase arrest, invasion and migration of MG63 cells, and up-regulating the expression of ITGAV could reverse such inhibitory effect. In nude mouse xenograft model of osteosarcoma, overexpression of miR-139 could inhibit tumor growth, while down-regulation of miR-139 produced the opposite effect. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that miR-139/ITGAV axis was related to osteosarcoma initiation. MiR-139 could inhibit the biological behavior of osteosarcoma cells and the tumor growth in nude mouse model via targeting ITGAV, and miR-139/ITGAV axis may impede the progression of osteosarcoma.

The Peritoneal Dialysis Telemedicine-assisted Platform Cohort (PDTAP) Study: Design and methods.

OBJECTIVES: The primary objective of the Peritoneal Dialysis Telemedicine-assisted Platform Cohort (PDTAP) Study is to explore potential predictors and their effects on patient survival, technique survival, and the occurrence of infectious and noninfectious complications. DESIGN: The PDTAP study is a national-level cohort study in China. A newly developed PD telemedicine application provided a unique and convenient way to collect multicenter, structured data across units. SETTING: The PDTAP study was underway in 27 hospitals from 14 provinces located at 7 geographical regions (northwest, northeast, north, central, southwest, southeast, and south) in China. PARTICIPANTS: Our study aims to enroll at least 7000 adult patients with end-stage renal disease receiving PD. METHODS: Approval has been obtained through the ethics committees of all hospitals. All participants signed the informed consent form after the center had received ethics board approval in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patient survival, technique survival, hospitalization, and the occurrence of infectious and noninfectious complications. CONCLUSIONS: The PDTAP study aims to explore potential predictors and their effects on patient survival, technique survival, and infectious and noninfectious complications using a newly developed PD telemedicine system to collect multicenter, structured data in real-world practice. Substantial and transformable findings in relation to PD practices were expected. This study also developed a national-level infrastructure for further collaboration and ancillary investigation.

In Situ Growth Behavior of SiC Whiskers with High Aspect Ratio in the Synthesis of ZrB2-SiC Composite Powders.

Aiming to provide key materials in order to improve the fracture toughness of ZrB2 ceramics, ZrB2-SiC composite powders with in situ grown SiC whiskers were successfully synthesized via a simple molten-salt-assisted ferrous-catalyzed carbothermal reduction method. Thermodynamic calculations on the ZrO2-SiO2-B2O3-C-Fe system were carried out. The effects of heating temperature and ferrous catalyst amount on the growth behavior of SiC whiskers in ZrB2-SiC composite powders were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results showed that the aspect ratio of SiC whiskers and the relative content of ZrB2 particles increased with increasing heating temperature (1523-1723 K) and a molar ratio of Fe to ZrSiO4 from 0:1 to 0.2:1. Phase-pure ZrB2-SiC composite powders were obtained at 1723 K when the molar ratio of raw materials was 0.2:0.5:1:1.5:8.4 (Fe:NaCl:ZrSiO4:B2O3:C). Single crystalline ß-SiC whiskers with a mean diameter of 0.15 µm and an aspect ratio of 70-120 were homogeneously distributed in the final composite powders. A molten-salt-assisted iron-catalyzed vapor-solid mechanism was promoted for the growth mechanism of in situ grown SiC whiskers.

Therapeutic potential of triterpenoid saponin anemoside B4 from Pulsatilla chinensis.

Pulsatilla Decoction (Bai-Tou-Weng-Tang) has been used medically in China for thousands of years for the treatment of diseases caused by bacteria. In recent decades, Pulsatilla Decoction is becoming a well-known formula prescription used for the treatment of ulcerative colitis in traditional Chinese medicine. Pulsatilla chinensis is the chief herbal source of Pulsatilla Decoction, and it is rich in triterpenoid saponins, such as anemoside B4, anemoside A3, and 23-hydroxybetulinic acid. Anemoside B4 is the most abundant of that group and has been used as a quality control marker for Pulsatilla chinensis. As the major active component of Pulsatilla chinensis, anemoside B4 has also received attention as a pure compound for its therapeutic potential. In this review, we systematically analyze the findings on triterpenoid saponins, especially anemoside B4, anemoside A3 and 23-hydroxybetulinic acid, included in Pulsatilla chinensis and Pulsatilla Decoction. We discuss the pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of these triterpenoid saponins as well as their biological activities. We also summarize the pharmacological effects of anemoside B4 and its two possible metabolites, anemoside A3 and 23-hydroxybetulinic acid, as pure compounds. In summary, this review sketches a profile of the state of existing knowledge with regard to the pharmacological effects of anemoside B4, especially its anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. These findings point to the possibility that anemoside B4 has potential to be studied further as a natural compound-originated immunomodulatory agent for the treatment of inflammatory diseases such as ulcerative colitis and thus, may represent one of the most important active components of Pulsatilla Decoction responsible for its anti-ulcerative colitis efficacy.

Wearable breath monitoring via a hot-film/calorimetric airflow sensing system.

Monitoring the breath information from two nostrils can detect breath-related health problems. In this work, we introduce a wearable hot-film/calorimetric breath sensing system composed of a hot-film senor in the center and two calorimetric sensors on two sides. This design has the advantages of low power consumption of 60 mW and good sensitivity to simultaneously measure the mix breath velocity and individual breath airflow signals from the two nostrils. In prototype demonstrations, abnormal breath conditions (apnea, hypopnea, polypnea) and the asymmetric breath conditions between the right and left nostril have been recorded and analyzed for potential usages in the diagnosis of specific breath-related diseases.

Cloning, identification and functional characterization of a pi-class glutathione-S-transferase from the freshwater mussel Cristaria plicata.

Glutathione-S-transferases (GSTs) are multifunctional phase II detoxification enzymes that catalyze the attachment of electrophilic substrates to glutathione and play an important role in protecting organisms against the toxicity of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The piGST cDNA was cloned and sequenced after rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) from the freshwater mussel Cristaria plicata. The comparison of the deduced amino acid sequences with GSTs from other species showed that the enzymes belonged to the pi-class and the amino acids defining the binding sites of glutathione (G-site) and for xenobiotic substrates (H-site) were highly conserved. The Cp-piGST cDNA is 816 nucleotides (nt) in length and contained a 615 nt open reading frame (ORF) encoding 205 amino acid residues, and has 19 nt of 5' untranslated region (UTR) and a 3' UTR of 182 nt including a tailing signal (AATAAA) and a poly (A) tail. The molecular weight of the predicted piGST is 23.4 kDa, with the calculated PI being 5.2. The mRNA transcript of Cp-piGST could be detected in all the examined tissues with highest expression level in hepatopancreas. The expression level of Cp-piGST in hepatopancreas and gill showed similar trend that were significantly increased after bacterial challenge compared to the control group at 12 h. Furthermore, the recombinant Cp-piGST with high enzyme activity was induced to be expressed as a soluble form by IPTG at 20°C for 8 h, and then was purified by using the native Ni(2+) affinity chromatography. The specific activity of the purified soluble Cp-piGST enzyme into pET30 was 2.396 µmol/min/mg, and which into pET32 was 1.706 µmol/min/mg. The recombinant Cp-piGST had a maximum activity at approximately pH 8.0, and its optimum temperature was 37°C. The recombinant Cp-piGST enzyme activity became lower gradually with the denaturant concentration increasing.

Effects of polysaccharides extracted from zhu zi shen (rhizoma panacis majoris) on oxidative stress and hemodynamics in rats with adriamycin-induced chronic heart failure.

OBJECTIVE: To probe into the intervening action of polysaccharides of Zhu Zi Shen (Rhizoma Panacis Majoris) (PZZS) on oxidative stress and hemodynamics in rats with adriamycin-induced chronic congestive heart failure (CHF). METHODS: After SD rats were successfully modeled with adriamycin, they were randomly divided into a normal control group, a model group, a PZZS group, and a captopril group, and were administrated respectively. At the end of experiment, the hemodynamic function, whole heart weight index, and the blood CK, SOD, MDA, NO, NOS were detected; and the myocardial morphological examinations were carried out. RESULTS: Compared with the normal control group, the arterial systolic pressure (SBP), diastolic pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), left ventricular systolic peak (LVSP), and left ventricular pressure change rate (dp/dt(max)) significantly decreased, and left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP), whole heart weight index, the blood CK, MDA, NO, NOS significantly increased in the model group. PZZS significantly improved the hemodynamic function, lowered the MDA and NO levels, and decreased the CK and NOS activities in the CHF rats. CONCLUSION: PZZS can improve the hemodynamic function, and alleviate the oxidative stress reaction in the CHF rat.

A catalase from the freshwater mussel Cristaria plicata with cloning, identification and protein characterization.

Catalase is an important antioxidant protein which can protect organisms against various oxidative stresses by eliminating hydrogen peroxide. The catalase cDNA of Cristaria plicata (cpCAT) was cloned from the haemocytes using degenerate primers by the method of 3' and 5' rapid amplification of cDNA ends PCR. The gene is 4863 bp long and has a total of two introns and three exons. The precise size and location of the introns and exons have been determined. In addition the full-length cDNA of cpCAT contained 2618 bp, The cDNA contained a 5' untranslated region (UTR) of 136 nucleotides, the 3' UTR of 979 bp with a canonical polyadenylation signal sequence AATAAA and a polyA tail, and an open reading frame (ORF) of 1503 bp, encoding 501 amino acid residues with 56.86 kDa predicted molecular weight. The theoretical isoelectric point was 6.77. BLAST analysis showed that the deduced amino acid sequence of cpCAT had significant homology to catalases from animals, plants and bacteria. The deduced amino acid sequence of cpCAT had characteristic features of catalase family such as catalytic site motif (61FNRERIPERVVHAKGAG77), heme-ligand signature motif (351RLYSYSDTH359), two glycosylation sites (N145, N436), NADPH binding site and the three catalytic amino acid residues (His72, Asn145 and Tyr355). It had no signal peptide. The phylogenetic tree indicated that cpCAT gene was very close to the gene of scallops, Chlamys farreri. The enzymatic activity of purified recombinant cpCAT was 11194.4 ± 40.4 U/mg, it might resist against H(2)O(2). The recombinant enzyme held higher thermal stability, the optimum temperature was 25 °C, it retained more than 82% activity between 25 and 60 °C. The stability of the recombinant enzyme were higher between pH 5 and 10, and the optimal pH value was 7.0. When cpCAT was treated with 2-4 moL/L urea and 1%-3% SDS, the activity was also stable, it kept more than 80% activity.