Arsenic effectively improves the degradation of fluorene by Rhodococcus sp. 2021 under the combined pollution of arsenic and fluorene

The performance of bacterial strains in executing degradative functions under the coexistence of heavy metals/heavy metal-like elements and organic contaminants is understudied. In this study, we isolated a fluorene-degrading bacterium, highly arsenic-resistant, designated as strain 2021, from contaminated soil at the abandoned site of an old coking plant. It was identified as a member of the genus Rhodococcus sp. strain 2021 exhibited efficient fluorene-degrading ability under optimal conditions of 400 mg/L fluorene, 30 °C, pH 7.0, and 250 mg/L trivalent arsenic. It was noted that the addition of arsenic could promote the growth of strain 2021 and improve the degradation of fluorene - a phenomenon that has not been described yet. The results further indicated that strain 2021 can oxidize As3+ to As5+; here, approximately 13.1% of As3+ was converted to As5+ after aerobic cultivation for 8 days at 30 °C. The addition of arsenic could greatly up-regulate the expression of arsR/A/B/C/D and pcaG/H gene clusters involved in arsenic resistance and aromatic hydrocarbon degradation; it also aided in maintaining the continuously high expression of cstA that codes for carbon starvation protein and prmA/B that codes for monooxygenase. These results suggest that strain 2021 holds great potential for the bioremediation of environments contaminated by a combination of arsenic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. This study provides new insights into the interactions among microbes, as well as inorganic and organic pollutants.

[Chemical constituents of Lindera aggregata and their bioactivities: a review]

The medicinal Lindera aggregata(Lindera, Lauraceae) boasts abundant resources, which is widely used in clinical settings. It has been found that the main chemical constituents of this medicinal species are sesquiterpenoids, alkaloids, sesquiterpenoid dimers, flavonoids, and phenolic acids. Some unreported novel structures, including lindenane-type sesquiterpene dimers and trimers, have been discovered from L. aggregata in recent years. The extracts and active components of L. aggregata have anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, antalgic, liver-protecting, antioxidant, lipid-lowering, and glucose-lowering activities, and their mechanisms of action have been comprehensively investigated. This study summarizes the research on the chemical constituents and bioactivities of L. aggregata over the past decade, which is expected to serve as a reference for the future research and utilization of L. aggregata.

[Clinical features and related factors of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease]

Objective: To study the clinical features and related factors of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). Methods: This retrospective study enrolled patients hospitalized for AECOPD in ten tertiary hospitals of China from September 2017 to July 2021. AECOPD patients with IPA were included as case group, AECOPD patients without IPA were randomly selected as control group from the same hospitals and same hospitalization period as the patients with IPA using the random function in the software of Microsoft Excel 2003, at a ratio of 2∶1. The clinical characteristics, treatment and outcome were compared between the two groups. Binary logistic regression model was used to analyze the factors associated with IPA in AECOPD patients. Results: A total of 14 007 inpatients with AECOPD were included in this study, and 300 patients were confirmed to have IPA, with an incidence rate of 2.14%. According to the above matching method, 600 AECOPD patients without aspergillus infection were enrolled as the control group. The age of the case group and the control group were (72.5±9.7) and (73.5±10.3) years old, with 78.0%(n=234) male and 76.8%(n=461) male, respectively. There were no significant differences in age and gender composition between the two groups (all P>0.05). The prognosis of case group was significantly worse than that of the control group, with longer hospital stay [M(Q₁,Q₃)], [14 (10-20) d vs 11 (8-15) d, P<0.001], higher ICU admission rate [16.3% (49 case) vs 10.0% (60 case), P=0.006], higher in-hospital mortality [4.0% (12 cases) vs 1.3% (8 cases), P=0.011], and higher hospitalization costs (28 000 ¥ vs 13 700 ¥, P<0.001). The smoking index of the case group and proportions of patients with diabetes mellitus, chronic pulmonary heart disease in the case group were significantly higher than those in control group (all P<0.05). In terms of clinical features, the proportions of patients with cough, expectoration, purulent sputum, hemoptysis and fever in the case group were higher than those in the control group, the serum albumin was significantly lower than that in the control group, and the proportions of patients with bronchiectasis and pulmonary bullae on imaging were significantly higher than those in the control group (all P<0.05). Diabetes (OR=1.559, 95%CI: 1.084-2.243), chronic pulmonary heart disease (OR=1.476, 95%CI: 1.075-2.028), bronchiectasis (OR=1.506, 95%CI: 1.092-2.078), pulmonary bullae (OR=1.988, 95%CI: 1.475-2.678) and serum albumin<35 g/L (OR=1.786, 95%CI: 1.325-2.406) were the related factors of IPA in patients with AECOPD. Conclusions: The incidence of IPA in AECOPD patients is relatively high and the prognosis of these patients is worse. Diabetes, chronic pulmonary heart disease, bronchiectasis, pulmonary bulla, hypoproteinemia are the related factors of IPA in patients with AECOPD.

Removal of Cd from contaminated farmland soil by washing with residues of traditional Chinese herbal medicine extracts

Soil washing is one of the effective methods for permanent removal of heavy metals from farmland soil, and selection of washing agents determines heavy metal removal efficiency. However, there is still a lack of cost-efficient and eco-friendly washing agents. In this study, three residues of traditional Chinese herbal medicine (RTCHM) extracts: residues of Prunus mume (Sieb.) Sieb. et Zucc. (RPM), residues of Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill. (RSC), and residues of Crataegus pinnatifida Bunge (RCP), were tested for their potential of Cd removal. The variations in amounts and compositions of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and citric acid were responsible for the difference in Cd removal efficiencies of RTCHM extracts. Fourier-transform infrared spectrophotometer (FTIR) analysis showed that hydroxyl, carboxyl, and amine were the main functional groups of RTCHM extracts to chelate with heavy metals. The optimum conditions for RTCHM extracts were 100 g L^-1 concentration, solid-liquid ratio 1:10, pH 2.50, and contact time of 1 h, and the highest Cd removal efficiencies of RPM, RSC, and RCP extracts reached 35%, 11%, and 15%, respectively. The ecological risk of Cd decreased significantly due to the decrease of exchangeable and reducible Cd fractions. RTCHM extracts washing alleviated soil alkalinity and had little effect on soil cation exchange capacity. Meanwhile, the concentrations of soil organic matter and nitrogen were enhanced significantly by RPM extracts and the activities of soil catalase and urease were also improved. Overall, among the tested extracts, RPM extracts was a much more feasible and environment-friendly washing agent for the remediation of Cd-contaminated farmland soil.

[The clinical characteristics of nuclear dense fine speckled pattern in 95 289 patients]

To investigate the distribution and clinical significance of nuclear dense fine speckled (DFS) pattern in various diseases. A total of 95 289 patients who received DFS tests at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2019 to December 2020 were included in this study. The results of indirect immunofluorescence assay (IIF) for detection of antinuclear antibody (ANA) were evaluated. The positive rates of ANA and DFS were 39.60% (37 733/95 289) and 1.19% (1 139/95 289) respectively. The positive rate of DFS in ANA-positive patients was 3.02% (1 139/37 733). DFS and ANA positivity were significantly different among different age groups rather than gender. The positivity rate of DFS reached the peak (55.57%, 633/1 139) in young patients between 21-40 years, while positive ANA with negative DFS was mainly observed in patients between 41-60 years (37.26%, 13 636/36 594). Additionally, single ANA-positivity were mainly detected in rheumatology department (59.23%, 18 402/31 066), whereas positive DFS was more common in obstetrics and gynecology department (3.08%, 49/1 593). There were 82.88% (944/1 139) patients with positive DFS diagnosed with non-autoimmune disease (non-AID), and 19.49%(222/1 139) with dermatosis. Positive DFS with higher titer (≥1∶320) was detected more frequently in autoimmune disease (AID) patients (5.13%, 10/195) than in non-AID patients (1.69%, 16/944) (P<0.05). The DFS pattern is rare in ANA positive patients, which is mainly observed in women between 21-49 years. High titer of DFS is prevalent in AID patients, but positive DFS is detected more in non-AID patients, especially those with dermatosis.

Sequential washing and eluent regeneration with agricultural waste extracts and residues for facile remediation of meta-contaminated agricultural soils

Washing with organic acids and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) is a promising technique for effective removal of potentially toxic metals from agricultural soils and the two key factors are the screening of inexpensive, high-efficiency, and environmentally friendly washing agents and the safe treatment of waste eluent. We used extracts from agro-forestry wastes (pineapple peel, lemon peel, grapefruit peel and gardening crabapple fruit) to develop a facile two-stage sequential washing method (extracts and/or citric acid (CA) and coupled with extracts) and regenerated waste eluent. The washing efficiencies of Cd and Cu were significantly increased by pineapple peel (PP) using two-stage sequential washing with the sequence of PP + CA-PP > CA-PP > PP-PP. The potential pollution risk from soil Cd was lowered by 33.0% from moderate to low risk, and soil nutrient contents increased. 80.9% of Cd and 81.3% of Cu in waste eluent were efficiently removed by the PP residues. The removal mechanisms of metals in soils and eluents by PP washing agents and residues can be attributed to acid activation, cation exchange and complexation between metal ions and carboxyl groups. Therefore, the PP extracts and residues are potentially suitable for the removal of Cd and Cu from polluted agricultural soils and washing waste eluents.

[Occurrence of Atmospheric (Micro)plastics and the Characteristics of the Plastic Associated Biofilms in the Coastal Zone of Dalian in Summer and Autumn]

Microplastics have been considered emerging pollutants that are widely distributed in the water, soil, and atmospheric environment. Compared with the research breadth and depth of microplastics in marine and terrestrial environments, the study of atmospheric microplastics is still in its infancy. At present, there are few studies on microplastics in the atmospheric environment, and the understanding of their pollution characteristics and potential risks remains insufficient. In this study, the occurrence characteristics of atmospheric (micro)plastics were investigated in the coastal zone of Dalian in summer and autumn. The bacterial community structures and functions of plastic-associated biofilms in the coastal zone of Dalian in summer and autumn were also studied. The results of this study showed that the dominant type of atmospheric microplastics in Dalian was fiber, and the main colors of atmospheric microplastics were transparent, blue, and black. The dominant particle size range of the atmospheric microplastics was less than 1 mm, and the polymer compositions were mainly polyethylene terephthalate, cellophane, and ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer (>90%). Obvious weathering characteristics and biofilm formation could be observed on the surface of atmospheric microplastics. Proteobacteria, Cyanobacteria, and Actinobacteria were the dominant bacterial phyla that colonized on the surface of atmospheric plastic debris in the coastal zone of Dalian in summer and autumn. The results from the prediction of gene function showed that several functional genes that are closely related to human diseases exist in the epiphytic biofilms of atmospheric plastic debris. The results of this study can provide a scientific basis for the environmental and health risk assessment of atmospheric microplastics and their associated biofilms.

[Research progress on chemical constituents and biological activities of Sarcandra glabra]

Sarcandra glabra, a medicinal plant in family Chloranthaceae, has been taken as an important raw material for multiple Chinese patent drugs due to its diverse indications. Considering the diversified chemical constituents and rich biological activities of S. glabra, numerous phytochemical and pharmacodynamic investigations were conducted to explore the material basis for its medicinal use. It has been found that its main chemical constituents were sesquiterpenoids, sesquiterpenoid polymers, phenolic acids, coumarins, and flavonoids. As revealed by pharmacological research, it possesses multiple biological activities like anti-inflammation, anti-bacteria, anti-tumor, anti-oxidation, and neuroprotection. Some unreported novel structures, including polymers of lindenane sesquiterpenes and monoterpenes, sesquiterpene trimers, and adducts of flavonoids and monoterpenes, have been identified from S. glabra in recent years. Moreover, biological studies relating to its anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidant activities have been deepened. This paper reviewed the chemical constituents and bioactivities of S. glabra explored over the past ten years, so as to provide a scientific basis for further development and utilization of this plant.

[Evaluation of vestibular-evoked myogenic potential for functional integrity of the brain stem in Kennedy's disease]

Objective: To investigate whether vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials(VEMPs) can be used to assess brainstem involvement in patients with Kennedy's disease (KD). Method: This was a case-control study.Twenty consecutive patients with genetically confirmed KD and 20 age-and sex-matched healthy subjects were enrolled from November 2018 to September 2020.All subjects were tested for three types of VEMPs, including cervical VEMP (c-VEMP) recorded by the sternocleidomastoid muscle (parameter:p13, n23), masseter VEMP (m-VEMP) recorded by the masseter muscle(parameter: p11), and ocular VEMP (o-VEMP) recorded by the inferior oblique muscle (parameter n10, p15).The latency of each wave, interside peak latency and interpeak latency of c-VEMP, the corrected amplitude and amplitude asymmetry ratio were recorded. Bilateral sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCMM) electromyography (EMG) was performed. The spinal cord and bulbous muscular atrophy functional rating scale (SBMAFRS) was used for assessment. Results: The mean p13 latency of c-VEMP was (15.5±1.4)ms, which was longer than that of the control group[(13.3±0.9)ms](P<0.05); the mean n23 latency was(25.5±1.4)ms, which was also longer than that of the control group[(22.5±1.0)ms] (P<0.05); the difference of bilateral p13[(2.3±0.6)ms] was significantly higher than that of the control group(P<0.05). The abnormal rates of c-, m-, o-VEMP in KD patients were 75%(15/20), 30%(6/20) and 20%(4/20), respectively. There was a significant positive correlation between c-VEMP latency and course of disease in KD patients(left: r=0.715, 0.695, right: r= 0.708, 0.715, both P<0.05). However, c-VEMP latency was negatively correlated with SBMAFRS score (left: r=-0.701, -0.694, right: r=-0.644, -0.685, both P<0.05). Abnormal rates of SCMM EMG in KD group were as follows: 15%(3/20)of patients showed spontaneous potential in resting state and 45% (9/20) of patients exhibited simple recruitment. Conclusions: The c-VEMP latency is a sensitive tool for detecting lower brainstem involvement in patients with KD, and the degree of damage increases with prolongation of disease course. The o-and m-VEMP abnormalities indicate that some KD patients develop upper brainstem damage.

Chlomultiols A-L, sesquiterpenoids from Chloranthus multistachys and their anti-inflammatory activities

Twelve undescribed sesquiterpenoids, named chlomultiols A-L, involving three lindenane sesquiterpenoid dimers, three eudesmane sesquiterpenoids, three guaiane sesquiterpenoids, and three cadinane sesquiterpenoids, along with four known compounds, were obtained from the whole plant of Chloranthus multistachys. Their structures were determined through spectroscopic techniques (HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR). In addition, the absolute and relative configurations of the undescribed compounds were established by using single crystal X-ray crystallography, NOESY and CD spectroscopy. The inhibitory effects of chlomultiols A-M on the production of nitric oxide in RAW 264.7 cells induced by lipopolysaccharide were evaluated. Chlomultiols A-C, and chlomultiols K-L showed moderate anti-inflammatory activities with IC₅₀ values of 3.34 ± 0.73, 15.06 ± 1.08, 13.13 ± 3.99, 6.63 ± 1.11, and 16.16 ± 1.88 μM, respectively.

[A new cembranoid diterpene from Olibanum]

Five compounds were isolated from the alcohol extract of Olibanum by MCI, silica gel, ODS, and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatographies and preparative high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC). On the basis of spectral data and literature data, the compounds were identified as:(1S,3R,4S,7R,11S,12R)-1:12,4:7-diepoxisonane-8(19)-ene-3,11-diol(1), boscartin A(2),(+)-resinolin(3),(+)-5-hydroxy-3,4-dimethyl-5-pentylfuran-2(5H)-one(4), and acerogenin A(5). Compound 1 is a new compound, and compounds 3-5 were isolated from Olibanum for the first time. The structure of compound 1 was determined by spectroscopic analysis and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compounds 1 and 2 were tested for PC12 neurotoxicity, and the results showed that they were both safe compounds.

[Application of a standard communication system-based continuous home remote visit mode in the management of visits to severely burned patients in the post-pandemic era of coronavirus disease 2019]

Objective: To observe the application effects of a standard communication system-based continuous home remote visit mode in the management of visits to severely burned patients in the post-pandemic era of coronavirus disease 2019 (hereinafter referred to as post-pandemic era). Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted. A total of 69 severely burned patients who met the inclusion criteria and were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University (the Third Military Medical University) from February to December, 2020 and their 69 family members were recruited into this study. According to the difference of visit model, 33 severely burned patients who were admitted into burn intensive care unit (BICU) from February to June, 2020 and received completely restricted visits according to the requirements for epidemic prevention and control and their corresponding 33 family members were included into conventional visit group; 36 severely burned patients who were admitted into BICU from July to December, 2020 and received the standard communication system-based continuous home remote visits and their 36 corresponding family members were recruited into remote visit group. The family members in conventional visit group could only communicate with the primary nurses by telephone, while the patients and family members in remote visit group could communicate with the primary nurses, responsible doctors, rehabilitation therapists, and nutrition therapists through WeChat video call. The survey results of general information questionnaire and Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) scores of two groups of patients and their family members at BICU admission of patients, HAMA scores of the two groups of patients and their family members in the second week of BICU admission and at discharge from BICU of patients, the scores of the Visiting Effect Evaluation Scale of the two groups of patients and their family members and the scores of Chinese version of Critical Care Family Satisfaction Survey (C-CCFSS) of the two groups of family members at discharge from BICU, and the scores of Satisfaction Survey and Evaluation Scale During Hospitalization of patients within the first week after the discharge of patients from BICU were compared. Data were statistically analyzed with chi-square test, Fisher's exact probability test, and Mann-Whitney U test. Results: In remote visit group, there were 29 males and 7 females in patients, aged 48 (34, 53) years, and 15 males and 21 females in family members, aged 45 (30, 48) years. In conventional visit group, there were 24 males and 9 females in patients, aged 49 (38, 54) years, and 9 males and 24 females in family members, aged 44 (35, 48) years. At BICU admission of patients, the HAMA scores of the two groups of patients and family members were both similar (P>0.05). The total HAMA scores of patients and family members in remote visit group were significantly lower than those in conventional visit group in the second week when the patients were admitted to BICU (Z=-3.195, -3.018, P<0.01) and discharged from BICU (Z=-2.118, -2.380, P<0.05). At discharge from BICU of patients, the scores of each dimension in Visiting Effect Evaluation Scale of the patients in the two groups were similar (P>0.05); while scores of 3 dimensions including patient safety information, diagnosis and treatment quality information, and psychological support information in Visiting Effect Evaluation Scale of family members in remote visit group were significantly higher than those in conventional visit group (Z=-2.372, -2.209, -2.174, P<0.05), and only the scores of visit perception of family members were close to those in conventional visit group (P>0.05). At discharge from BICU of patients, the C-CCFSS scores of the family members in remote visit group was 99 (98, 108), which were significantly higher than 98 (97, 100) in conventional visit group (Z=-2.545, P<0.05). Within the first week after the discharge of patients from BICU, the scores of Satisfaction Survey and Evaluation Scale During Hospitalization of patients in remote visit group were 99 (98, 100), which were significantly higher than 96 (94, 98) in conventional visit group (Z=-5.213, P<0.01). Conclusions: In the management of visits to severely burned patients in the post-pandemic era, application of the standard communication system-based continuous home remote visit mode can improve the visit effect and satisfaction, and effectively alleviate the anxiety of patients and their family members.

[Research progress on chemical constituents from Chloranthus plants and their biological activities]

The genus Chloranthus has 13 species and 5 varieties in China, which can be found in the southwest and northeast regions. Phytochemical studies on Chloranthus plants have reported a large amount of terpenoids, such as diterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids, and sesquiterpenoid dimers. Their anti-inflammation, anti-tumor, antifungal, antivirus, and neuroprotection activities have been confirmed by previous pharmacological research. Herein, research on the chemical constituents from Chloranthus plants and their biological activities over the five years was summarized to provide scientific basis for the further development and utilization of Chloranthus plants.

[Chemical constituents of sesquiterpenes from Chloranthus multistachys]

With repeated silica gel, octadecyl silica(ODS), and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography, normal-phase and reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC), etc., a pair of new enantiomers and 5 known compounds were separated from the 95% ethanol extract of Chloranthus multistachys. These compounds were identified by the nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy(including 1 D-NMR and 2 D-NMR), single-crystal X-ray diffraction, circular dichroism(CD) spectroscopy, mass spectrometry(MS), and some other methods as(1R,4R,5R,8S,10R)-chloraeudolide H(1 a),(1S,4S,5S,8R,10S)-chloraeudolide H(1 b), hydroxyisogermafurenolide(2), 4α-hydroxy-5α,8β(H)-eudesm-7(11)-en-8,12-olide(3), chloraniolide A(4), chlorantene D(5), 4α,8β-dihydroxy-5α(H)-eudesm-7(11)-en-8,12-olide(6). Compounds 1 a and 1 b are a pair of new eudesmane-type sesquiterpene enantiomers, and compounds 2-4 were isolated from C. multistachys for the first time.

Three pairs of sesquiterpene enantiomers from Chloranthus multistachys pei

Phytochemical investigation on the whole plant of Chloranthus multistachys pei (Chloranthaceae) afforded three pairs of new sesquiterpene enantiomers (+)/(-)-chlorantene M [(+)/(-)-1], (+)/(-)-chlorantene M1 [(+)/(-)-2] and (+)/(-)-chlorantene N [(+)/(-)-3]. The structures of new compounds were determined through spectroscopic techniques (HR-ESI-MS, 1 D and 2 D NMR), besides, their absolute and relative configurations were established by using Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and CD spectrum. The anti-inflammatory potential of all compounds was evaluated by applying LPS induced RAW 264.7 macrophage inflammatory model, and the results were that none of these compounds showed activity (IC₅₀ > 100 μM).

[A new sesquiterpene from Chloranthus henryi]

Eight sesquiterpenes were isolated and purified from the ethanol extract of Chloranthus henryi by column chromatographies over silica gel, ODS and Sephadex LH-20,and preparative HPLC. Their chemical structures were established by spectral data and physiochemical properties as(1S,6S,8S,10R)-8-ethoxy-10-methoxychlomultin C(1),tianmushanol(2),multistalide A(3),myrrhterpenoid N(4),1α,9α-dihydroxy-8,12-expoxy-eudesma-4,7,11-trien-6-one(5),4β,10α-aromadendranediol(6),oplopanone(7),10α-hydroxycadinan-4-en-3-one(8). Among them, compound(1) was a new compound, and compounds 2-8 were isolated from Chloranthus henryi for the first time.

Sesquiterpenoids with neuroprotective activities from the Chloranthaceae plant Chloranthus henryi

A rare sesquiterpenoid possessing a 6/6 bicyclic system fused with two clustered furan units and a pair of guaiane-type sesquiterpenoids were acquired from the roots of Chloranthus henryi. Their structures with absolute configurations were characterized with spectroscopic data, ECD, and X-ray diffraction analysis. All three sesquiterpenoids showed moderate neuroprotective activities on PC12 cells damaged with hydrogen peroxide.

Cadmium Isotopic Fractionation in the Soil-Plant System during Repeated Phytoextraction with a Cadmium Hyperaccumulating Plant Species

Analysis of stable metal isotopes can provide important information on biogeochemical processes in the soil-plant system. Here, we conducted a repeated phytoextraction experiment using the cadmium (Cd) hyperaccumulator Sedum plumbizincicola X. H. Guo et S. B. Zhou ex L. H. Wu (Crassulaceae) in four different Cd-contaminated agricultural soils over five consecutive crops. Isotope composition of Cd was determined in the four soils before and after the fifth crop, in the plant shoots harvested in all soils in the first crop, and in the NH₄OAc extracts of two contrasting soils with large differences in soil pH (5.73 and 7.32) and clay content (20.4 and 31.3%) before and after repeated phytoextraction. Before phytoextraction NH₄OAc-extractable Cd showed a slight but significant negative isotope fractionation or no fractionation compared with total Cd (Δ^114/110Cd_extract-soil = -0.15 ± 0.05 (mean ± standard error) and 0.01 ± 0.01‰), and the extent of fractionation varied with soil pH and clay content. S. plumbizincicola preferentially took up heavy Cd from soils (Δ^114/110Cd_shoot-soil = 0.02-0.14‰), and heavy isotopes were significantly depleted in two soils after repeated phytoextraction (Δ^114/110Cd_{soil:P5-soil:P0} = -0.15 ± 0.02 and -0.12 ± 0.01‰). This provides evidence for the existence of specific Cd transporters in S. plumbizincicola, leading to positive isotope fractionation during uptake. After phytoextraction by five sequential crops, the NH₄OAc-extractable Cd pool was significantly enriched in heavy isotopes (Δ^114/110Cd_{extract:P5-extract:P0} = 0.07 ± 0.02 and 0.18 ± 0.05‰) despite the preferential uptake of heavy isotopes, indicating the occurrence of root-induced Cd mobilization in soils, which is supposed to favor heavy Cd in the organo-complexes with root exudates. Our results demonstrate that Cd is taken up by S. plumbizincicola via specific transporters, partly after active mobilization from the more strongly bound soil pool such as iron/manganese (hydr)oxide-bound Cd during repeated phytoextraction. This renders S. plumbizincicola a suitable plant for large-scale field phytoremediation.

[Clinical application effect of modified nasopharyngeal swab sampling for 2019 novel coronavirus nucleic acid detection]

Objective: To study the clinical application effect of modified nasopharyngeal swab sampling for 2019 novel coronavirus nucleic acid detection. Methods: This study covered the period from January 14 to March 1, 2020.The supine position method and the protective face screen were used to collect nasopharyngeal swabs from February 24 onwards, before which, the nasopharyngeal swabs were collected by sitting position method. All the patients who were diagnosed with suspected/confirmed 2019 novel coronavirus infection were admitted from February 19 with the nasopharyngeal swabs collected outside the hospital before admission. (1) Thirty-four swabbing operators meeting the inclusion criteria of the study were recruited in this retrospective cohort study. They were grouped according to the collection method of nasopharyngeal swabs. Sixteen operators of Wuhan Taikang Tongji Hospital who applied the supine position method and the protective face screen were included in supine position method+ protective face screen group (15 males and 1 female, aged 34-49 years); 18 operators (12 from the First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University (the Third Military Medical University), 1 from Wuhan Jiangxia Mobile Cabin Hospital, 5 from the East District of People's Hospital of Wuhan University) who applied the traditional sitting position method were included in sitting position method group (2 males and 16 females, aged 25-49 years). In supine position method+ protective face screen group, when collecting sample, the patient lay flat and wore a special protective face screen for nasopharyngeal swab sampling, with neck slightly extending and face turning to the opposite side of the operator about 10°. The self-designed questionnaire was used to investigate the cooperation, the incidence of nausea, coughing, sneezing, and struggling of patients evaluated by the operators, the operation time for a single swab sample, the fear of operation and the perceived exposure risk of operators in the two groups. (2) Sixty-five patients (22 males and 43 females, aged 25-91 years) admitted to Wuhan Taikang Tongji Hospital who successively received the sitting position method and supine position method+ protective face screen for nasopharyngeal swabs sampling and with complete nucleic acid detection results were included. The positive rates of nucleic acid detection by the two sampling methods of nasopharyngeal swabs of the patients were statistically analyzed. (3) Forty-one patients who could express their feelings accurately were selected out of those 65 patients (12 males and 29 females, aged 27-83 years). The comfort of patients in the process of sampling by the two methods was investigated. (4) Thirty-four patients (10 males and 24 females, aged 25-83 years) with two or more consecutive negative results of nucleic acid detection of nasopharyngeal swabs by sitting position method were selected from the above 65 patients. The positive rate of nucleic acid detection of nasopharyngeal swab of patients by supine position method+ protective face screen, i. e. negative to positive rate was statistically analyzed. Data were statistically analyzed with t test, Wilcoxon signed rank test, and chi-square test. Results: (1) Compared with those of sitting position method group, the cooperation score of patients evaluated by the operators in supine position method+ protective face screen group was significantly higher (Z=-4.928, P<0.01), the incidence of nausea, choking cough, sneezing, and struggling of patients evaluated by the operators, and the fear of operation score and the perceived exposure risk score of operators in supine position method+ protective face screen group were significantly lower (Z=-5.071, -5.046, -4.095, -4.397, -4.174, -5.049, P<0.01), and the operation time for a single swab sample in supine position method+ protective face screen group was significantly longer (t=223.17, P<0.01). (2) The positive rate of nucleic acid detection of nasopharyngeal swabs by supine position method+ protective face screen was 60.00% (39/65), which was obviously higher than 41.54% (27/65) by sitting position method (χ(2)=4.432, P<0.05). (3) The comfort score of the 41 patients during nasopharyngeal swabs sampling by supine position method+ protective face screen was significantly higher than that by sitting position method (Z=-5.319, P<0.01). (4) Of the 34 patients with two or more consecutive negative results of nucleic acid detection of nasopharyngeal swabs by sitting position method, the rate of negative to positive of nucleic acid detection was 26.47% (9/34) after sampling by supine position method+ protective face screen. Conclusions: Compared with the traditional sitting position method, detection of 2019 novel coronavirus nucleic acids of nasopharyngeal swabs collected by supine method combined with protective face screen is worth promoting, because of its better comfort of patients, low exposure risk for operators, in addition to reducing in the false negative result to some extent, which may help reduce false recurrence of discharged patients.

Fast and deterministic switching of a vortex core induced by an out-of-plane current in notch disks

The magnetic vortex, as one of the most interesting magnetic solitons, has attracted great interest over the past two decades. A fast and reliable method to switch vortex polarity and chirality is one of the key issues for various applications. Based on micromagnetic simulation, here we report a fast, low energy cost and deterministic switching of a vortex core, by the designing of a notch structure in disks and the use of out-of-plane current geometry. We demonstrate that with such a design, the multiple switching problems found in notch disk systems can be avoided. Furthermore, the switching time can be reduced by more than 50% compared with disks without notches.

Neuroprotective racemic germacranolides from the roots of Chloranthus henryi

Three pairs of new germacranolides, (+)/(-)-chlogermacrones A-C, along with two known analogues were obtained from the roots of Chloranthus henryi. Spectroscopic techniques and single-crystal X-ray crystallographic analyses were used for the structure elucidation of the compounds. All of the isolated compounds were tested for their neuroprotective effects on H₂O₂ damaged PC12 cells, compounds 3 and 5 increased cell viability from 43.4 ± 1.3% to 99.6 ± 8.7 and 68.1 ± 4.8% at 10 μM, respectively.

Oral Bioavailability of As, Pb, and Cd in Contaminated Soils, Dust, and Foods based on Animal Bioassays: A Review

Metal contamination in soil, dust, and food matrices impacts the health of millions of people worldwide. During the past decades, various animal bioassays have been developed to determine the relative bioavailability (RBA) of As, Pb, and Cd in contaminated soils, dust, and foods, which vary in operational approaches. This review discusses the strengths and weaknesses of different animal models (swine and mice), dosing schemes (single gavage dose, repeated gavage dose, daily repeated feeding, and free access to diet), and end points (blood, urine, and tissue) in metal-RBA measurement; compares metal-RBA obtained using mouse and swine bioassays, different dosing schemes, and different end points; and summarizes key findings on As-, Pb-, and Cd-RBA values in contaminated soils, dust, and foods. Future directions related to metal-RBA research are highlighted, including (1) comparison of metal-RBA determinations between different bioassays and different laboratories to ensure robust bioavailability data, (2) enhancing the metal-RBA database for contaminated dust and foods, (3) identification of physiological and physicochemical mechanisms responsible for variability in metal-RBA values, (4) formulation of strategies to decrease metal-RBA values in contaminated soils, dust, and foods, and (5) assessing the impacts of cocontaminants on metal-RBA measurement.

As, Cd, and Pb relative bioavailability in contaminated soils: Coupling mouse bioassay with UBM assay

The robustness of in vitro bioaccessibility assays to predict oral relative bioavailability (RBA) of multiple metals in contaminated soils requires validation using additional soil samples. In this study, 11 contaminated soils from mining/smelting areas were analyzed for As-, Cd-, and Pb-RBA using a mouse bioassay and metal bioaccessibility via the UBM gastric phase assay. Metal-RBA varied considerably among soils, with As-RBA (2.5-23%, mean 12%) being generally lower than Cd-and Pb-RBA (3.4-88 and 3.3-59%, mean 42 and 28%), due to higher proportions of As in the residual fractions. Metal-RBA generally decreased with increasing metal concentrations probably due to reduced labile metal fractions. In addition, strong negative correlations were observed between total Fe with As-, Cd-, and Pb-RBA (R² = 0.46-0.77), suggesting the role of Fe in controlling metal-RBA in soils. Like RBA, metal bioaccessibility by the UBM assay also varied among samples. However, strong in vivo-in vitro correlations (IVIVCs) were observed between metal-RBA and bioaccessibility (R² = 0.52-0.81). Further, there were little differences when As-, Cd-, and Pb-IVIVCs established using soils from this study and soils pooled from literature were compared, suggesting the robustness of the UBM assay to predict metal-RBA in contaminated soils.

Dihydroagarofuran sesquiterpenoids esterified with organic acids from the leaves of Tripterygium wilfordii

Six new and one known dihydroagarofuran sesquiterpenoids esterified with organic acids were obtained from the leaves of Tripterygium wilfordii. Spectroscopic techniques (UV, IR, MS, NMR, ORD and CD) were used for the structure elucidation of the compounds. The structures of compounds 1 and 2 were confirmed by X-ray single crystallographic analyses. The inhibitory effects on NO production in LPS-induced macrophages of 1-7 were conducted. At 10 μmol/L, compounds 1, 2 and 7 showed moderate inhibitory effects on NO production in LPS-induced macrophages with inhibitory rate at 31.2 ± 3.6, 40.9 ± 4.3, and 66.79 ± 3.1%, respectively.

[Research progress on chemical constituents and biological activities from Turpinia species]

Turpinia species have been used as local Chinese medicines. It has been widely concerned about their antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. Modern studies showed that the chemical constituents of Turpina species include flavonoids, triterpenoids, megastigans and phenoli acids. Its pharmacological research mainly focused on antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, analgesic, and immuneregulation effect. In this paper, the chemical compositions and pharmacological activities of Turpinia species were summarized, in order to provide scientific basis for the further development and utilization of Turpinia species.

[Chemical constituents from fruits of Vitex trifolia var. simplicifolia]

The present study is to investigate the chemical constituents from the dried ripe fruits of Vitex trifolia var. simplicifolia The compounds were isolated by using a variety of chromatographic methods including silicagel, ODS, Sephadex LH-20, reversed-phase HPLC, and other methods. Their structures were identified by NMR, and MS date. As a result, 18 compounds were isolated and identified as ent-2-oxo15,16,19-trihydroxypimar-8(14)-ene (1), chrysosplenol D (2), casticin (3), luteolin (4), eupatrin (5), apigenin (6), 5,4'-dihydroxy-3,6,7-trimethoxyflavone (7), luteolin-4'-O-glucoside (8), hypolaetin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (9), swertisin (10), agestricin D (11), 5,3'-dihydroxy-6,7,4'-trimethoxyflavanone (12), tomentic acid (13), 2α,3β,23-trihydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid (14), 3'-acetoxy-4'-angeloyloxy-3',4'-dihydroseselin (15), dihydrodehydrodiconiferyl alcohol (16), 3,5'-dimethoxy-4',7-epoxy-8,3'-neolignane-5,9,9'-triol (17) and salicifoliol (18). Among them, compounds 1, 2, 5-15, 17 and 18 were obtained from V. trifolia var. simplicifolia Cham for the first time and compounds 1, 5, 7-11, 15, 17 and 18 were isolated from thegenus Vitex for the first time.

[Sesquiterpenes with anti-metastasis breast cancer activity from Chloranthus henryi]

To study sesquiterpenes with anti-metastasis breast cancer activity from Chloranthus henryi, ten sesquiterpenes ,zedoarofuran (1), chlorajapolide D (2), 4β, 8β-dihydroxy-5α(H)-eudesm-7(11)-en-8, 12-olide (3), curcolonol (4), lasianthuslactone A (5), chlomultin C (6), (1E,4Z)-8-hydroxy-6-oxogermacra-1(10), 4, 7(11) -trieno-12, 8-lactone (7), shizukanolide E (8) , shizukanolide F (9) , 9α-hydroxycurcolonol (10), and five bis-sesquiterpenes, shizukaol B (11), shizukaol C (12) , cycloshizukaol A (13) , sarcandrolide B (14) , henriol A(15), were isolated by using different kinds of column chromatography methods from the ethyl acetate part of Ch.henryi and their structures were identified based on spectroscopic methods. Compounds 2, 8, 9, and 10 were obtained from the genus Chloranthus for the first time. Compounds 2, 5, 8-10, 12,and 14 were obtained from this plant for the first time. Some isolated compounds were subjected to evaluate the anti-metastasis breast cancer activity by using pharmacological methods, and only compounds 4, 11, and 12 were potent active.

Enhanced phytoremediation of soils contaminated with PAHs by arbuscular mycorrhiza and rhizobium

Greenhouse experiment was conducted to evaluate the potential effectiveness of a legume (Sesbania cannabina), arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) (Glomus mosseae), and rhizobia (Ensifer sp.) symbiosis for remediation of Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in spiked soil. AMF and rhizobia had a beneficial impact on each other in the triple symbiosis. AMF and/or rhizobia significantly increased plant biomass and PAHs accumulation in plants. The highest PAHs dissipation was observed in plant + AMF + rhizobia treated soil, in which >97 and 85-87% of phenanthrene and pyrene, respectively, had been degraded, whereas 81-85 and 72-75% had been degraded in plant-treated soil. During the experiment, a relatively large amount of water-soluble phenolic compounds was detected in soils of AMF and/or rhizobia treatment. It matches well with the high microbial activity and soil enzymes activity. These results suggest that the mutual interactions in the triple symbiosis enhanced PAHs degradation via stimulating both microbial development and soil enzyme activity. The mutual interactions between rhizobia and AMF help to improve phytoremediation efficiency of PAHs by S. cannabina.

Elucidation of the molecular responses to waterlogging in Sesbania cannabina roots by transcriptome profiling

Sesbania cannabina, a multipurpose leguminous crop, is highly resistant to waterlogging stress. However, the scant genomic resources in the genus Sesbania have greatly hindered further exploration of the mechanisms underlying its waterlogging tolerance. Here, the genetic basis of flooding tolerance in S. cannabina was examined by transcriptome-wide gene expression changes using RNA-Seq in seedlings exposed to short-term (3 h) and long-term (27 h) waterlogging. After de- novo assembly, 213990 unigenes were identified, of which 145162 (79.6%) were annotated. Gene Ontology and pathway enrichment analyses revealed that the glycolysis and fermentation pathways were stimulated to produce ATP under hypoxic stress conditions. Energy-consuming biosynthetic processes were dramatically repressed by short and long term waterlogging, while amino acid metabolism was greatly induced to maintain ATP levels. The expression pattern of 10 unigenes involved in phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, glycolysis, and amino acid metabolism revealed by qRT-PCR confirmed the RNA-Seq data. The present study is a large-scale assessment of genomic resources of Sesbania and provides guidelines for probing the molecular mechanisms underlying S. cannabina waterlogging tolerance.

Pathways of root uptake and membrane transport of Cd2+ in the zinc/cadmium hyperaccumulating plant Sedum plumbizincicola

Uptake and membrane transport of cadmium (Cd) in roots of the hyperaccumulator Sedum plumbizincicola X.H. Guo et S.B. Zhou ex L.H. Wu was characterized by assessing the impact of various inhibitors and ion channel blockers on Cd accumulation as well as the real-time net Cd²⁺ flux at the roots with application of the scanning ion-selective electrode technique. The uncouplers 2,4-dinitrophenol and P-type adenosine triphosphatase inhibitor Na₃ VO₄ significantly limited Cd²⁺ uptake and transport kinetics in the root of S. plumbizincicola. These findings indicate that Cd is actively taken up into the roots. The Cd content in plant was significantly decreased with pretreatments of the Ca²⁺ channel blocker La³⁺ or Gd³⁺ and the K⁺ channel blocker tetraethylammonium, as well as in the presence of higher concentration of Ca²⁺ and K⁺ . These findings indicated that uptake of Cd²⁺ into the root of S. plumbizincicola proceeds through ion channels that are permeable to both Ca²⁺ and K⁺ as confirmed by the direct evidence of real-time net Cd²⁺ fluxes at the root surface in the treatments with ion channel inhibitors, as well as in the presence of elevated concentrations of Ca²⁺ and K⁺ . In addition, the results suggested a role for phytochelatin and protein synthesis in mediating Cd²⁺ uptake by S. plumbizincicola. These findings increase the understanding of Cd²⁺ uptake and membrane transport pathways in roots of the Zn/Cd hyperaccumulator S. plumbizincicola. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:1038-1046. © 2016 SETAC.

Characteristics of cadmium uptake and membrane transport in roots of intact wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seedlings

Wheat is one of several cereals that is capable of accumulating higher amounts of Cd in plant tissues. It is important to understand the Cd²⁺ transport processes in roots that result in excess Cd accumulation. Traditional destructive technologies have limited capabilities in analyzing root samples due to methodological limitations, and sometimes may result in false conclusions. The mechanisms of Cd²⁺ uptake into the roots of wheat seedlings (Triticum aestivum L.) were investigated by assessing the impact of various inhibitors and channel blockers on Cd accumulation as well as the real-time net Cd²⁺ flux at roots with the non-destructive scanning ion-selective electrode technique. The P-type ATPase inhibitor Na₃VO₄ (500 μM) had little effect on Cd uptake (p < 0.05) and the kinetics of transport in the root of wheat, suggesting that Cd²⁺ uptake into wheat root cells is not directly dependent on H⁺ gradients. While, the uncoupler 2,4-dinitrophenol significantly limited Cd²⁺ uptake (p < 0.05) and transport kinetics in the root of wheat, suggesting the existence of metabolic mediation in the Cd²⁺ uptake process by wheat. The Cd content at the whole-plant level in wheat was significantly (p < 0.05) decreased upon pretreatment with the Ca²⁺ channel blockers La³⁺ or Gd³⁺ and Verapamil, but not in case of pretreatment with the K⁺ channel blocker tetraethylammonium (TEA). In addition, the inhibitors of the Ca²⁺ channel, as well as high concentrations of Ca²⁺, reduced the real-time net Cd²⁺ fluxes at the root surface in SIET experiments. These results indicate that Cd²⁺ moves across the plasma lemma of the wheat root via Ca²⁺ channels. In addition, our results suggested a role for protein synthesis in mediating Cd²⁺ uptake and transport by wheat.

Triterpenoids from Coluria longifolia

A new triterpenoid named 19-hydroxy swinhoeic acid, together with four known compounds were isolated from the whole plants of Coluria longifolia Maxim. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data analysis and comparison with previously reported data. Cytotoxicities of the five compounds against HepG2 cell lines were also evaluated, unfortunately, no obvious activities were observed.

[Study on chemical constituents from Chloranthus multistachys]

To investigate the chemical constituents from the shoots of Chloranthus multistachys.All compounds wereisolated by using a combination of various chromatographic techniques including silica gel, ODS, Sephadex LH-20, reversed-phase HPLC, and other methods.Their structures were elucidated by the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), mass spectrometry, and other modernspectroscopies.As a result, 19 compounds were isolated from the shoots of C.multistachys and identified as zederoneepoxide(1), chlomultin C(2), curcolonol(3), sarcaglaboside A(4), zedoarofuran(5), (1E,4Z)-8-hydroxy-6-oxogermacra-1(10), 4,7(11)-trieno-12,8-lactone(6), chloranoside A(7), istanbulin A(8), (8α)-6,8-dihydroxycadina-7(11),10(15)-dien-12-oicacid-γ-lactone(9), codonolactone(10), lasianthuslactone A(11), 12,15-epoxy-5αH,9βH-labda-8(17),13-dien-19-oicacid(12), 12R,15-dihydroxylabda-8(17),13E-dien-19-oicacid(13), N-transcinnamoyltyramine(14), trans-N-p-coumaroyltyramine(15), dibutyl phthalate (16), flavokawain A(17), bergenin(18), and enedione(19).Compounds 1, 2, 4, 7-10, 12-19 were isolated from C.multistachys for the first time and compounds 14-19 were obtained from the genus Chloranthus for the first time.

Diphenylarsinic acid contaminated soil remediation by titanium dioxide (P25) photocatalysis: Degradation pathway, optimization of operating parameters and effects of soil properties

Diphenylarsinic acid (DPAA) is formed during the leakage of arsenic chemical weapons in sites and poses a high risk to biota. However, remediation methods for DPAA contaminated soils are rare. Here, the photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) process by nano-sized titanium dioxide (TiO2) was applied to degrade DPAA in soil. The degradation pathway was firstly studied, and arsenate was identified as the final product. Then, an orthogonal array experimental design of L9(3)(4), only 9 experiments were needed, instead of 81 experiments in a conventional one-factor-at-a-time, was used to optimize the operational parameters soil:water ratio, TiO2 dosage, irradiation time and light intensity to increase DPAA removal efficiency. Soil:water ratio was found to have a more significant effect on DPAA removal efficiency than other properties. The optimum conditions to treat 4 g soil with a DPAA concentration of 20 mg kg(-1) were found to be a 1:10 soil: water ratio, 40 mW cm(-2) light intensity, 5% TiO2 in soil, and a 3-hour irradiation time, with a removal efficiency of up to 82.7%. Furthermore, this method (except for a change in irradiation time from 3 to 1.5h) was validated in nine different soils and the removal efficiencies ranged from 57.0 to 78.6%. Removal efficiencies were found to be negatively correlated with soil electrical conductivity, organic matter content, pH and total phosphorus content. Finally, coupled with electron spin resonance (ESR) measurement, these soil properties affected the generation of OH• by TiO2 in soil slurry. This study suggests that TiO2 photocatalytic oxidation is a promising treatment for removing DPAA from soil.

GC-MS analysis of two types of mixed oils, a comparison of composition and weathering patterns

In order to compare the effects of weathering on two types of mixed oil, simulated weathering experiments were performed. The first sample was a mixture of two fresh oils and the second sample was a mixture of one fresh oil and another oil sample that had undergone a serious weathering process. Comparative studies evaluated decay rates and changes in diagnostic ratios of some fingerprinting biomarkers. Results showed that the mixing process affected the weathering rate of some compounds in the oils and also that certain diagnostic ratios are more suitable for estimating mixing proportions. A Pr/n-C17 versus Ph/n-C18 plot can be used to identify the end-numbers of mixed oils and the (C13+C14)/(C25+C26) ratio is a useful diagnostic ratio to detect the degree of weathering. Finally, hopane, sterane, and alkylated PAH fingerprints were found to give useful insights about the sources of the mixed oils.

[Photo-catalytical degradation of diphenylarsinic acid by TiO2 (P25)]

Diphenylarsinic acid (DPAA) is the major contaminant in environment polluted by abandoned chemical weapons. DPAA poses high risks to biota but remediation methods for this contaminant are rare. Previous research showed DPAA could be degraded within a short time by TiO2 (P25). Here the kinetics of DPAA degradation catalyzed by P25 was studied. Results showed the photo-catalytical degradation of DPAA by P25 consisted of two processes: adsorption and photo-reaction. The whole reaction could be fitted by Langmuir-Hinshelwood kinetics. Variation in pH and ionic strength caused change in adsorption of DPAA onto the TiO2 catalyst, which led to the change of reaction rate, showing a decreasing trend with the decreasing adsorption amount of DPAA. Dissolved oxygen promoted the catalytical degradation of DPAA by TiO2, and the hydroxyl free radical played the most important role in the photodegradation of DPAA, which was testified through quenching experiments with free radical scanvengers.

[Environmental damages assessment: establishment of system framework in China]

Health injury, properties compensation and ecological and environmental destruction caused by environmental pollutions have become the focuses of the government, the public and the society at present in China. The experiences of developed countries have revealed that the environmental damage assessment system must be established through development of environmental damage assessment legislations, technologies and funding guarantee system suitable for the nation's conditions based on the specific environmental situation and main issues. China has some experience in marine ecological environment, fishery resources damage assessment, forest resources damage assessment and remediation management of contaminated sites; however, the managing function of environmental damage assessment is assigned to different governmental departments. There are also shortcomings such as few cases of environmental public compensation, insufficient environmental privacy determination and compensation, etc. Based on the methods of materials and information collections, questionnaires, visiting environmental court and government sectors, interviews to assessment organizations and professionals, launching practical assessments to related cases and participating in environmental public lawsuits, the situation of environmental pollution damages in China was analyzed, the related legislation and management mechanism were reviewed, the corresponding assessment organizations regarding environmental damages were sort out, and the funding sources of environmental damage assessment were explored. Aiming at the main issues in Chinese environmental damage management, a standard and unified system for environmental damage assessment based on current managing and technological systems is important to improve the practical work in determination, assessment and compensation of environmental pollution damage in China, and to further explore the feasible environmental damage quantitative management.

CTC1 increases the radioresistance of human melanoma cells by inhibiting telomere shortening and apoptosis

Melanoma has traditionally been viewed as a radioresistant cancer. However, recent studies suggest that under certain clinical circumstances, radiotherapy may play a significant role in the treatment of melanoma. Previous studies have demonstrated that telomere length is a hallmark of radiosensitivity. The newly discovered mammalian CTC1-STN1-TEN1 (CST) complex has been demonstrated to be an important telomere maintenance factor. In this study, by establishing a radiosensitive/radioresistant human melanoma cell model, MDA-MB-435/MDA-MB-435R, we aimed to investigate the association of CTC1 expression with radiosensitivity in human melanoma cell lines, and to elucidate the possible underlying mechanisms. We found that CTC1 mRNA and protein levels were markedly increased in the MDA-MB-435R cells compared with the MDA-MB-435 cells. Moreover, the downregulation of CTC1 enhanced radiosensitivity, induced DNA damage and promoted telomere shortening and apoptosis in both cell lines. Taken together, our findings suggest that CTC1 increases the radioresistance of human melanoma cells by inhibiting telomere shortening and apoptosis. Thus, CTC1 may be an attractive target gene for the treatment of human melanoma.

Three new phenolic glycosides from the Tibetan medicinal plant Aconitum tanguticum

Three new phenolic glycosides, such as (Z)-sinapic acid-4-O-β-d-allopyranoside (1), 3,4-dihydroxyphenethoxy-8-O-β-d-[6-O-(4-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-feruloyl]-glucopyranoside (2), and 4-dihydroxyphenethoxy-8-O-β-d-[6-O-(4-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-feruloyl]-glucopyranoside (3) were isolated from the EtOH extract of whole plant of Aconitum tanguticum (Maxim.) Stapf. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, and the total (1)H NMR and (13)C NMR chemical shifts were assigned.

[Assessment system for watershed ecological health in the United States: development and application]

To meet the water quality goals of the Clean Water Act, the environmental agencies in the United States (U.S.) have developed a comprehensive ecological assessment system of watershed health in the last two decades. The system employs a watershed approach, and includes a large set of hydrological, chemical, and biological indices, having become an essential part of the watershed water quality management system in the U.S. and provided strong support for the protection of water environment and the restoration of aquatic system. In this paper, the development and application of the ecological assessment system of watershed health by the U.S. environmental regulators, especially the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), were overviewed from the aspects of related laws and regulations, ecosystem function analysis, ecological health indicators, comprehensive assessment system, and monitoring and data management systems, and the health assessment systems for the rivers, lakes, estuaries, coasts, and wetlands adopted by the National$t1-1-1 Aquatic Resource Surveys (NARS) were introduced. Some suggestions for the future development of the scientific ecological assessment system of watershed health in China were put forward based on the understanding of the protection and remediation practices of our water environment.

Two new flavonol glycosides from the Tibetan medicinal plant Aconitum tanguticum

Two new flavonol glycosides characterized as quercetin 3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-[β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 3)-α-l-(4-O-trans-p-coumaroylrhamnopyranosyl)-(1 → 6)]-β-d-galactopyranoside-7-O-α-l-rhamnopyranoside (1) and kaempferol 3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-[β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 3)-α-l-(4-O-trans-p-coumaroyl rhamnopyranosyl)-(1 → 6)]-β-d-galactopyranoside-7-O-α-l-rhamnopyranoside (2), together with two known flavonol glycosides quercetin 3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)- [α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 6)]-β-d-galactopyranoside-7-O-α-l-rhamnopyranoside (3) and kaempferol 3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-[α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 6)]-β-d-galactopyranoside-7-O-α-l-rhamnopyranoside (4), were isolated from the whole plant of Aconitum tanguticum (Maxim.) Stapf. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, and the total (1)H and (13)C NMR chemical shifts were assigned.

[Ex-situ remediation of PAHs contaminated site by successive methyl-beta-cyclodextrin enhanced soil washing]

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) polluted sites caused by abandoned coking plants have attracted great attentions. This study investigated the feasibility of using methyl-beta-cyclodextrin (MCD) solution to enhance ex situ soil washing for extracting PAHs. Treatment with elevated temperature (50 degrees C) in combination with ultrasonication (35 kHz, 30 min) at 100 g x L(-1) was effective. It was found that 96.7% +/- 2.4% of 3-ring PAH, 89.7% +/- 3.2% of 4-ring PAH, 76.3% +/- 2.2% of 5 (+6)-ring PAH and 91.3% +/- 3.1% of total PAHs were removed from soil after five successive washing cycles. The desorption kinetics of PAHs from contaminated soil was determined before and after successive washings. The 400 h Tenax extraction of PAHs from soil was decreasing gradually with increasing washing times. Furthermore, the F(r), F(sl), k(r), k(sl) and k(vl) were significantly lower than those of CK (P < 0.01). Therefore, considering the removal efficiency and potential environmental risk after soil )ashing, successive washing three times was selected as a reasonable parameter. These results have practical implications for site risk assessment and cleanup strategies.

[Effects of intercropping Sedum plumbizincicola and Apium graceolens on the soil chemical and microbiological properties under the contamination of zinc and cadmium from sewage sludge application]

Taking the vegetable soil with zinc- and cadmium contamination from a long-term sewage sludge application as the object, a pot experiment was conducted to study the remediation effect of Sedum plumbizincicola and Apium graceolens under continuous monoculture and intercropping. With the remediation time increased, both S. plumbizincicola and A. graceolens under monoculture grew poorly, but S. plumbizincicola under intercropping grew well. Under intercropping, the soil organic matter, total N, extractable N, and total P contents decreased significantly while the soil extractable K content had a significant increase, the counts of soil bacteria and fungi increased by 7.9 and 18.4 times and 3.7 and 4.3 times, respectively, but the soil urease and catalase activities remained unchanged, as compared with those under A. graceolens and S. plumbizincicola monoculture. The BIOLOG ECO micro-plates also showed that the carbon sources utilization level and the functional diversity index of soil microbial communities were higher under intercropping than under monoculture, and the concentrations of soil zinc and cadmium under intercropping decreased by 5.8% and 50.0%, respectively, with the decrements being significantly higher than those under monoculture. It was suggested that soil microbial effect could be one of the important factors affecting plant growth.