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The distribution of and prediction models for heavy metals in wheat were evaluated in Tianjin, China. The results indicated that there were high heavy metal concentrations (Zn, Cd, Cu, Pb, Cr, and Ni) in the wheat and that the Cd concentration (0.062mg kg-1) in the seeds actually exceeded the national safety standard. The accumulation factors for the wheat's seeds were of a decreasing order: Zn>Cd>Cu>Pb>Cr>Ni. The Cd concentration in the wheat's seeds corresponded closely with the Cd concentration in the soil (r = 0.74). The predicting model was appropriate for predicting the concentration of Cd and Zn in wheat, and the r was 0.735 and 0.625, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because high temperatures impair rice production, it is desirable to elucidate the regulatory mechanisms involved in rice response to heat stress. The objectives of this study were to identify candidate genes and characterize their response patterns during rice adaptation to high temperatures at the seedling stage. Ten heat-associated quantitative-trait loci were identified in a genome-wide association study. Comparison of transcript abundances in heat-sensitive and heat-tolerant rice pools under heat stress revealed approximately 400 differentially expressed genes. The expression of genes from heatsensitive accessions changed more than those from heat-tolerant accessions under heat stress. Alternative splicing (AS) events responded to heat stress in rice. The types of AS variants significant different between the heat-sensitive and heat-tolerant accessions. Expression patterns differing between the heat-sensitive and heat-tolerant accessions were identified for genes known to be involved in heat stress. We identified eleven genes associated with rice heat stress response. These genes could be pyramided to breed heat-tolerant rice accessions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The optimal treatment for chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH)-induced cardiovascular injuries has yet to be determined. The aim of the current study was to explore the potential protective effect and mechanism of a C1 inhibitor in CIH in the myocardium. The present study used a rat model of CIH in which complement regulatory protein, known as C1 inhibitor (C1INH), was administered to the rats in the intervention groups. Cardiomyocyte apoptosis was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling. The expression of proteins associated with the apoptotic pathway, such as B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), Bax and caspase-3 were detected by western blot analysis. The expression of complement C3 protein and RNA were also analyzed. C1INH was observed to improve the cardiac function in rats with CIH. Myocardial myeloperoxidase activity, a marker of neutrophil infiltration, was significantly decreased in the C1INH intervention group compared with the CIH control group, and cardiomyocyte apoptosis was significantly attenuated (P<0.05). Western blotting and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis indicated that the protein expression levels of Bcl-2 were decreased and those of Bax were increased in the CIH group compared with the normal control group, but the protein expression levels of Bcl-2 were increased and those of Bax were decreased in the C1INH intervention group, as compared with the CIH group. Furthermore, the CIH-induced expression and synthesis of complement C3 in the myocardium were also reduced in the C1INH intervention group. C1INH, in addition to inhibiting complement activation and inflammation, preserved cardiac function in CIH-mediated myocardial cell injury through an anti-apoptotic mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecological risks of heavy metal toxicity such as Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn, Cr, As, and Hg through crops (wheat and rice) grown in the Tianjin sewage irrigation area in northern China were studied in this paper. Wheat and rice samples as well as related soil samples from 77 select blocks were collected. The second grade of standards for Tianjin soil environmental quality was used for soil risk assessment. Chinese National Food Safe Criterion was used for health risk assessment of wheat and rice grains. Daily intake rate and Target hazard quotient were used for the potential health risk assessment of local population through the intake of wheat and rice grown in the sewage-irrigated site. The results showed that continuous application of wastewater has led to accumulation of heavy metals in the soil, and Cd, Zn, and Hg were the main pollutants. Zn and Cd were more mobile than other metals. Pb in wheat and rice had an ecological risk to human health. As and Hg in some rice samples as well as Cd, Zn, and As in some wheat samples had potential risk. Target hazard quotient (THQ) of individual metal was below 1.0, meaning the relative absence of health risks associated with intake of a single heavy metal through intake of either wheat or rice. THQs of As for wheat and rice would sum up to above 1.0, indicating As may pose a risk to the local population by intake of wheat and rice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]