[Effects of CO2 fertilization on photosynthesis and growth of cut Anthurium andraeanum in solar greenhouse in winter]. / æ—¥å ‰æ¸©å®¤å†¬å­£å¢žæ–½CO2å¯¹åˆ‡èŠ±çº¢æŽŒå ‰åˆä½œç”¨åŠç”Ÿé•¿å‘è‚²çš„å½±å“.

Aiming at the problem of the acute shortage of CO2 in winter production of cut Anthurium andraeanum in solar greenhouse, the effect of CO2 fertilization on photosynthetic characteristics and growth performance of A. andraeanum 'Fire' was investigated. Three treatments with different concentrations of CO2 were designed, i.e., 700, 1000 and 1300 Μmol·mol-1, with receiving no extra CO2 as the control. The results showed that for the CO2-fertilized plants, the photosynthetic rate, intercellular CO2 concentration and water use efficiency were significantly greater than those in the control plants after CO2 fertilization for 60 days, and the largest increase range was observed in the 1000 Μmol·mol-1 CO2 treatment, whereas the stomata conductance was significantly reduced compared with the control. Meanwhile, the contents of soluble sugar, starch and soluble protein in CO2-fertilized plants were significantly higher than those in control plants. Moreover, the quality of cut flowers with CO2 fertilization was remarkably superior to control flowers in term of the parameters including spathe size, spathe color, peduncle length, leaf growth performance and peduncle growth rate. The most superior improvement was observed in the 1000 Μmol·mol-1 CO2 treatment. It was therefore concluded that CO2 fertilization of 1000 Μmol·mol-1 could effectively improve the winter production of cut A. andraeanum in solar greenhouse.

[Case control study of interbody fusion with simple decompression bone block in treating degenerative lumbar instability and spinal stenosis].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the value of the self-decompression bone block in interbody fusion. METHODS: From April 2014 to May 2015, 42 patients with degenerative lumbar instability and spinal stenosis were treated by posterior vertebral lamina decompression and pedicle nail-rod fixation and unilateral modified transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion, including 18 males and 24 females. The treatment group had 24 cases with autologous pure decompression bone block as single interbody fusion material and the control group had 18 cases with cage and autologous bone as interbody fusion material. Clinical data, bone healing time, interbody fusion rate, intervertebral height and curative effect were analyzed in two groups. RESULTS: All the patients were followed up for 12 to 24 months with an average of 16 months. There was no significant difference in age, sex ratio, degree of lumbar instability, or follow-up time between two groups(P>0.05); and there was no significant difference in curative effect, intervertebral height loss, or interbody fusion rate between two groups(P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Using self-decompression bone block fusion can get high fusion rate, maintain good intervertebral height, obtain satisfactory curative effect. Its design was scientific and reasonable with less complication, which provide an effective, economic, and practical method for degenerative lumbar instability and spinal stenosis.

BMP2-encapsulated chitosan coatings on functionalized Ti surfaces and their performance in vitro and in vivo.

Bone morphogenic protein-2 (BMP2)-encapsulated chitosan (CS) coatings were prepared to immobilize BMP2 on titanium (Ti) surfaces. The Ti substrates were functionalized through a three-step process: alkali treatment, silanization with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane and aldehydation with glutaraldehyde (GA). BMP2-encapsulated CS coatings (BMP2-CS) were bonded to Ti surfaces through reactions between the aldehyde groups of GA and the amine groups of CS. Direct BMP2 immobilization on aldehyde-treated Ti (BMP2-Ti) and pure CS coatings (CS-Ti) were used as controls. The release rate of BMP2-CS-Ti was half of that of BMP2-Ti at initial stage, which indicates that the CS coatings are suitable carriers for sustained BMP2 release. The osteoinductivities of BMP2-CS-Ti, BMP2-Ti, CS-Ti and pristine Ti were examined by both in vitro cell tests and in vivo experiments. Bone marrow stem cell (BMSC) culture indicated that BMP2-CS-Ti is more potent in stimulating the differentiation of the adhering BMSC than the three other groups. Rabbit femur implantation revealed the excellent osteoinductivity of BMP2-CS-coated Ti implants. These results demonstrate that the BMP2-encapsulated CS coatings are stable osteoinductive coatings that realize the sustained release of BMP2 and maintain the activity of the protein.

Silver nanoparticles and growth factors incorporated hydroxyapatite coatings on metallic implant surfaces for enhancement of osteoinductivity and antibacterial properties.

Research on incorporation of both growth factors and silver (Ag) into hydroxyapatite (HA) coatings on metallic implant surfaces for enhancing osteoinductivity and antibacterial properties is a challenging work. Generally, Ag nanoparticles are easy to agglomerate and lead to a large increase in local Ag concentration, which could potentially affect cell activity. On the other hand, growth factors immobilization requires mild processing conditions so as to maintain their activities. In this study, bone morphology protein-2 (BMP-2) and Ag nanoparticle contained HA coatings were prepared on Ti surfaces by combining electrochemical deposition (ED) of Ag and electrostatic immobilization of BMP-2. During the ED process, chitosan (CS) was selected as the stabilizing agent to chelate Ag ions and generate Ag nanoparticles that are uniformly distributed in the coatings. CS also reduces Ag toxicity while retaining its antibacterial activity. Afterwards, a BMP/heparin solution was absorbed on the CS/Ag/HA coatings. Consequently, BMP-2 was immobilized on the coatings by the electrostatic attraction between CS, heparin, and BMP-2. Sustained release of BMP-2 and Ag ions from HA coatings was successfully demonstrated for a long period. Results of antibacterial tests indicate that the CS/Ag/HA coatings have high antibacterial properties against both Staphylococcus epidermidis and Escherichia coli. Osteoblasts (OB) culture reveals that the CS/Ag/HA coatings exhibit good biocompatibility. Bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) culture indicates that the BMP/CS/Ag/HA coatings have good osteoinductivity and promote the differentiation of BMSCs. Ti bars with BMP/CS/Ag/HA coatings were implanted into the femur of rabbits to evaluate the osteoinductivity of the coatings. Results indicate that BMP/CS/Ag/HA coatings favor bone formation in vivo. In summary, this study presents a convenient and effective method for the incorporation of growth factors and antibacterial agents into HA coatings. This method can be utilized to modify a variety of metallic implant surfaces.

Efficient PdNi and PdNi@Pd-catalyzed hydrogen generation via formic acid decomposition at room temperature.

Formic acid (FA) holds great potential as a convenient source of hydrogen for sustainable chemical synthesis and renewable energy storage. Herein, the non-noble metal nickel (Ni) exhibits superior promoting effect in improving the catalytic activity of Pd toward high activity and selectivity for FA decomposition at room temperature.