Influencing factors and risk assessment of phthalate ester pollution in the agricultural soil on a tropical island.

Phthalate esters (PAEs) are widely prevalent in agricultural soil and pose potential risks to crop growth and food safety. However, the current understanding of factors influencing the behavior and fate of PAEs is limited. This study conducted a large-scale investigation (106 sites in 18 counties with 44 crop types) of 16 types of PAEs on a tropical island. Special attention was given to the impacts of land use type, soil environmental conditions, agricultural activity intensity, and urbanization level. The health risks to adults and children from soil PAEs via multiple routes of exposure were also evaluated. The results showed that the mean concentration of PAEs was 451.87 ± 284.08 µg kg-1 in the agricultural soil. Elevated agricultural and urbanization activities contributed to more pronounced contamination by PAEs in the northern and southern regions. Land use type strongly affected the concentration and composition of PAEs in agricultural soils, and the soil PAE concentration decreased in the order of vegetable fields, orchards, paddy fields, and woodlands. In paddy fields, di-isobutyl phthalate and di-n-butyl phthalate made more substantial contributions to the process through which the overlying water inhibited volatilization. Soil microplastic abundance, pesticide usage, crop yield, gross domestic product, and distance to the nearest city were calculated to be the major factors influencing the concentration and distribution of PAEs. Soil pH, organic matter content, microplastic abundance and the fertilizer application rate can affect the adsorption of PAEs by changing the soil environment. A greater risk was detected in the northern region and paddy fields due to the higher soil PAE concentrations and the dietary structure of the population. This study reveals important pathways influencing the sources and fate of PAE pollution in agricultural soils, providing fundamental data for controlling PAE contamination.

Farmland Microhabitat Mediated by a Residual Microplastic Film: Microbial Communities and Function.

How the plastisphere mediated by the residual microplastic film in farmlands affects microhabitat systems is unclear. Here, microbial structure, assembly, and biogeochemical cycling in the plastisphere and soil in 33 typical farmland sites were analyzed by amplicon sequencing of 16S rRNA genes and ITS and metagenome analysis. The results indicated that residual microplastic film was colonized by microbes, forming a unique niche called the plastisphere. Notable differences in the microbial community structure and function were observed between soil and plastisphere. Residual microplastic film altered the microbial symbiosis and assembly processes. Stochastic processes significantly dominated the assembly of the bacterial community in the plastisphere and soil but only in the plastisphere for the fungal community. Deterministic processes significantly dominated the assembly of fungal communities only in soil. Moreover, the plastisphere mediated by the residual microplastic film acted as a preferred vector for pathogens and microorganisms associated with plastic degradation and the nitrogen and sulfur cycle. The abundance of genes associated with denitrification and sulfate reduction activity in the plastisphere was pronouncedly higher than that of soil, which increase the potential risk of nitrogen and sulfur loss. The results will offer a scientific understanding of the harm caused by the residual microplastic film in farmlands.

Identification of factors influencing the microplastic distribution in agricultural soil on Hainan Island.

Microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitous in agricultural soils, but to what extent and how environmental factors determine the source and fate of MPs in agricultural soils is not clear. In this study, Hainan Island, which has different climatic conditions, altitudes, and land uses across the island, was selected to investigate the MPs abundance and the shape, size, color, and polymer type of the MPs in agricultural soils. The main focus was on the role of land use type and the identification of environmental influencing factors. The results showed that MPs were detected in all the soil samples across the island, with an abundance range of 20 to 6790 items kg-1 and an average of 417 items kg-1. Fragments (46.8 %), MPs smaller than 0.5 mm (37.8 %), black MPs (48.3 %), and polypropylene MPs (56.8 %) were observed as the dominant MPs species. Significantly higher MPs abundance was found in mulched arable land, and higher contents of fibers and fragments were observed in woodland and paddy lands, respectively. With correlation and redundancy analyses, soil pH, soil organic matter content, and average annual temperature were found to be the main factors influencing the biotic/abiotic fragmentation of MPs. The regional population density, including tourism represented by the night light index, affects the input process of MPs. MPs transport and deposition were found to be affected by altitude, annual precipitation, and soil moisture content. This study represents the first large-scale study of MPs contamination in island agricultural soils and provides important data on the distribution, transport, and fate of MPs.

Flexible and Stretchable Elastomer Composites Based on Lightweight Liquid Metal Foam Spheres with Pod-like Contacts.

Liquid metal (LM) is increasingly employed as a conductive filler in soft and flexible elastomer composites owing to its favorable conductivity and liquid fluidity. However, the high density of LM inevitably increases the weight of composites, which brings limitations in large-area and weight-sensitive applications. This work reports a flexible and stretchable elastomer composite composed of pod-like contacting lightweight LM foam spheres and polydimethylsiloxane matrix (LMS/PDMS). The lightweight LMS reduces the amount of LM used in the preparation process while imparting good electrical conductivity and deformability to the composite. The different contact modes of LMS endow the final composites with diverse strain sensitivity. The mechanism of interfacial contact conduction between the LMS with different melting points has been systematically studied, and the result shows that the liquid-solid contact mode of LMS further improves the strain sensitivity of the composite. Moreover, the composite also has satisfactory electrothermal properties and the temperature can quickly reach 70 °C within 30 s, showing good applicability in electric heating. Finally, the composites containing LMS with different contact modes can be developed as multifunctional sensors to detect human activities, temperature variation, and even underwater vibration, demonstrating the great potential in next-generation sensors and electronics.

A review of freshwater benthic clams (Corbicula fluminea): Accumulation capacity, underlying physiological mechanisms and environmental applications.

Asian clams (Corbicula fluminea) have been extensively applied in biomonitoring and other environmental fields based on their high enrichment capacity and rapid response to pollutants. This review first summarizes the kinetic process of metals and organic pollutants enriched by C. fluminea and discusses the environmental behavior and application. The accumulation ability of Cu, Zn, and Mn were significantly higher than that of other metals, which were attributed to their high uptake rate constant and low elimination rate constant. The visceral mass was found to be the major burden tissue. However, large knowledge gaps existed regarding the accumulation capacity of C. fluminea for organic pollutants and nanoparticles. Moreover, physiological mechanisms underlying the accumulation of environmental pollutants were proposed. C. fluminea can improve the niche of benthic algae by ingesting pelagic algae, mitigating water eutrophication. It can also remove pathogens and parasites based on the biological assimilation of nonspecific immunity, interrupting disease transmission. The novel insight into the application of C. fluminea in wastewater treatment further broadens the range of pest management strategies and offers the feasibility of blocking the spread of invasive bivalves.

Knocking Out of CEACAM1 Can Reduce Oxidative Stress and Promote Cell Proliferation in the HPMVECs under Hypoxia.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) induced by hypoxia is common in clinical practice and often suggests a poor prognosis. The oxidative stress and proliferation of pulmonary vascular endothelial cells caused by hypoxia are the major mechanisms involved in the pathophysiology of PH. It has been reported in recent years that the carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 1 (CEACAM1) promotes angiogenesis. In this study, normal human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (HPMVECs) and HPMVECs with stable knockout of CEACAM1 by CRISPR-Cas9 were subjected to oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R) to induce hypoxic conditions. JC-1, ROS, and cell cycle profile were analyzed for each cell line and controls, using flow cytometry. A tube formation assay was used to detect angiogenesis, along with expression levels of CEACAM1, TNF-α, VEGF, VEGFR-2, p-P38/P38, and CyclinD1 proteins (to distinguish profiles of angiogenic growth and cell proliferation). We observed increased expression of CEACAM1 in HPMVECs after OGD/R, while ROS production was reduced and mitochondrial membrane potential was increased after OGD/R in CEACAM1-/- HPMVECs. Furthermore, we observed increased cell division in CEACAM-/- HPMVECs, accompanied by enhanced angiogenesis and reduced TNF-α protein expression and increased VEGF, VEGFR-2, and CyclinD1 expression. Together, these data suggest that upregulation of CEACAM1 in HPMVECs under hypoxic conditions may damage cells by increasing oxidative stress and inhibiting cell proliferation.

Microplastic bioaccumulation in estuary-caught fishery resource.

The environmental behavior of microplastics (MPs) in estuaries with saline and freshwater intersections is extremely complex. This increases the chance of MP ingestion by fishery resources, posing potentially tremendous health risks for humans. Herein, a total of 105 fishes from 14 different species, and 86 crustaceans (including shrimps and crabs) from five different species were sampled in the Yangtze River estuary and offshore, and MP bioaccumulation, accumulative organ, and the influencing factors were comprehensively studied. The results elucidated that MP accumulation in benthos was significantly higher than that in pelagic animals due to the lower acceptance threshold, assimilation efficiency and egestion rate for benthos. The MP content in crustaceans with the burrowing favoring the MP retention was significantly higher than that in fishes. MPs ingested by fish can accumulate in skin, gills and viscera rather than muscles. Most MPs accumulated in fishery resources were cellulose and polyethylene terephthalate characterized by black and gray fibrous and lengths ranging from 0.1 mm to 1 mm. The gill retention capacity of pelagic fish to smaller-size (<0.1 mm) MPs was pronouncedly stronger than that of benthic fish. It was more accurate to assess the ecological risk of MPs in terms of the maximum size of MPs accumulated in organisms. Compared with the offshore area, the incidence of MP uptake was higher in the estuary owing to anthropogenic impacts. This study helps understand the transfer of MPs in aquatic food webs and offers a foundation for assessing the risk of human exposure to MPs.

Stretchable and Recyclable Liquid Metal Droplets Embedded Elastomer Composite with High Mechanically Sensitive Conductivity.

Liquid metal (LM)-based elastomers have received growing interest for a wide range of applications such as soft robotics and flexible electronics. This work reports a stretchable and bendable liquid metal droplets embedded elastomer (LMDE) composite, which consists of liquid metal droplets (LMDs) filler and carbonyl iron particles (CIPs)/polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) hybrid matrix. The reversible switching of the composite from an insulator to a conductor can be realized through the contact and noncontact process between the LMDs. The mechanism of constructing the controllable conductive path between the droplets under external deformations has been systematically studied, and this result also provides a basis model for analyzing the conductive networks in traditional LM-based flexible composites. The composites exhibit stable mechanical and electrical performance under different tensile strains and bending angles. Moreover, the fluidic nature of LM endows the composite with good electrically healing capability. The valuable LM can be easily recycled at a high recovery rate of 98%. Finally, the composite can be developed as a sensor for the detection of both compressive force and magnetic field, demonstrating a broad promising in flexible electronics, actuators, and wearable devices.

The poor prognosis and influencing factors of high D-dimer levels for COVID-19 patients.

To explore the value, and influencing factors, of D-dimer on the prognosis of patients with COVID-19. A total of 1,114 patients with confirmed COVID-19 who were admitted to three designated COVID-19 hospitals in Wuhan, China from January 18, 2020, to March 24, 2020, were included in this study. We examined the relationship between peripheral blood levels of D-dimer, and clinical classification and prognosis, as well as its related influencing factors. D-dimer levels were found to be related to the clinical classification and the prognosis of clinical outcome. D-dimer levels were more likely to be abnormal in severely and critically ill patients compared with mild and ordinary cases, while D-dimer levels of patients who had died were significantly higher than those of surviving patients according to the results of the first and last lab tests. The results from ROC analyses for mortality risk showed that the AUCs of D-dimer were 0.909, YI was 0.765 at the last lab test, and a D-dimer value of 2.025 mg/L was regarded to be the optimal probability cutoff for a prognosis of death. In addition, we found that patients with advanced age, male gender, dyspnea symptoms, and some underlying diseases have a higher D-dimer value (p < 0.05). In short, D-dimer is related to the clinical classification and can be used to evaluate the prognosis of COVID-19 patients. The D-dimer value of 2.025 mg/L was the optimal probability cutoff for judging an outcome of death. Advanced age, male gender, dyspnea symptoms, and some underlying diseases are influencing factors for D-dimer levels, which impacts the prognosis of patients.

Trapped Hg+ ion crystal generated by isotope-selective photoionization.

We present studies on monoisotopic Hg+ ions generation and trapping at room temperature. An ultraviolet laser system, including a frequency-controlled 194 nm laser and a 254 nm laser, is constructed. Mercury atoms are isotope-selectively excited by the 254 nm laser. The spectrum of the 6s2-6s6p transition lines for natural mercury isotopes is measured, and the uncertainty is less than 100 MHz. Then, the selected mercury isotopes are ionized by the 194 nm laser and trapped in a linear Paul trap. The fluorescence of the ion crystal at 194 nm is detected, and the temperature of the ions is estimated to be less than 10 mK.

Magneto-thermochromic coupling Janus sphere for dual response display.

This work demonstrates a simple microfluidic device to synthesize a magneto-thermochromic sphere with Janus inner structure. The Janus sphere is composed of Fe3O4 microspheres, thermochromic particles, and polyacrylamide matrix. Because the Fe3O4 microspheres are assembled together in one pole, the Janus sphere can turn around by varying the direction of the external magnetic field. Originating from the temperature-dependent property of the thermochromic particles, the final Janus sphere can change its color from red to pale blue when the temperature is increased from 5 to 45 °C. The detailed formation process and the magneto-thermochromic mechanism are carefully investigated. Due to the magnetic switch and thermochromism, these Janus spheres can be applied as colorful displays by controlling the magnetic field and temperature. The results demonstrate that the dual responsive Janus spheres possess broad application potential in temperature sensors and displays.

A novel technique for the treatment of stages III to IV hemorrhoids: Homemade anal cushion suspension clamp combined with harmonic scalpel.

To compare the efficacy of homemade anal cushion suspension clamp combined with harmonic scalpel (ACS) and Milligan-Morgan hemorrhoidectomy combined with electric knife (MMH) in the treatment of stages III to IV hemorrhoids. We conducted a retrospective study of 99 patients with stages III to IV hemorrhoids hospitalized from January to December in 2013. Among them, 51 patients were treated with ACS, while 48 patients received MMH. Data from clinical recording and follow-up included operative time, intraoperative blood loss, hospitalization information, postoperative pain, and postoperative complications. Operative time, intraoperative blood loss and hospitalization time in ACS group were significantly less than those in MMH group (P < .05). Compared with MMH group, ACS group had a lower postoperative static pain score from days 1 to 14 (P < .01). The patients in ACS group exhibited less postoperative defecation pain scores from days 3 to 20 than those of MMH group (P < .05). The incidence of postoperative anal edema and delayed wound healing in ACS group was lower than that in MMH group (P < .05). Compared with MMH, our novel technique ACS was more effective and had fewer postoperative complications in the treatment of stages III to IV hemorrhoids.

The effect of total hip replacement on employment in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

Although total hip replacement (THR) has been proven to be effective, the effect of THR on employment in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in Chinese population is still unknown. We aimed to demonstrate whether or not patients with AS returned to work following THR and factors associated with the work ability after THR. We performed a retrospective study including a total number of 128 AS patients undergoing THR between 2009 and 2013. Presurgery and postsurgery data including disease state, work status, type of job, and time of resuming work were collected. Factors associated with early return to work were assessed through ordinal regression. Eighty-seven of 128 patients (68 %) were employed within 1 year before THR and 98 returned to work after surgery. Among them, 21, 46, and 31 resumed work by 3, 6, and 12 months postoperation, respectively. Multivariate ordinal regression showed that patients with unilateral THR, younger age, lower BASFI score, employed presurgery, and low or moderate physical demand were more likely to resume work earlier. Most individuals working presurgery returned to work after THR. For young AS patients with hip involvement, THR is an effective treatment for improving and maintaining work ability.

Translation and validation of the simplified Chinese new Knee Society Scoring System.

BACKGROUND: The NKSS has recently been translated into Dutch version. The reliability and validity were also assessed. However, there is no Simplified Chinese version of New Society Knee Scoring System (SC-NKSS) for Chinese population. METHODS: The SC-NKSS was translated from the original English version following international guidelines. All patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) between September 2012 and September 2013 were invited to participate in this study. Finally, a total of 105 did so. Patients (preoperative and postoperative) completed the Chinese version of NKSS, Oxford Knee Score (OKS), the Medical Outcomes General Health Survey (SF-36) and Visual analog scale (VAS). Psychometric testing of reliability, construct validity, content validity were conducted. RESULTS: All the 105 participants completed the questionnaires and no floor or ceiling effects were checked. Internal consistency was excellent with Cronbach's alpha coefficient ranging from 0.71 to 0.85. Test-retest reliability was satisfactory with an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.92 (95%confidence interval, 0.86-0.95). Construct validity was demonstrated to correlate well with the Chinese version of OKS (r = -0.78; p < 0.01), VAS (r = -0.70; p < 0.01), Physical Function (PF) (r = 0.74; p < 0.01), Body Pain (BP) (r = 0.63; p < 0.01) and General Health (GH) (r = 0.51; p < 0.01) of SF-36 domains. CONCLUSION: The SC-NKSS was well accepted and demonstrated acceptable psychometric properties in mainland China.