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Background: Metal nanoparticles are widely used in agricultural production. As a new type of molybdenum fertilizer, MoO 3 NPs have the properties of nanomaterials and the characteristics of molybdenum nutrition. Previous studies have focused on their role in promoting crop growth. However, it is unknown whether excessive MoO 3 NPs will affect crop quality and nutritional value. In this study, the effects of different concentrations of MoO 3 NPs (0, 0.15, 0.5, 1.0, 5.0, 10, 50, 100 mg kg -1 ) on the growth and quality of soybean were investigated by pot experiments to analyze the plant effects caused by MoO 3 NPs., Results: The results showed that the effects of MoO 3 NPs treatment on plant biomass and nodule number were promoted at low concentrations (0.15-5 mg kg -1 ) and inhibited at high concentrations (10-100 mg kg -1 ). According to the logistic distribution model, it was predicted that MoO 3 NPs would have the strongest toxic effect on soybean flowering stage. The contents of MoO 3 NPs which reduced the yield of soybean by 10% and 20% were 12.38 and 30.81 mg kg -1 . NP0.15 could significantly improve the total amount of amino acids in grains, while NP100 reduced the total amount of amino acids in grains, both of them significantly increasing the contents of linolenic acid and linoleic acid in soybean seeds., Conclusion: A change of MoO 3 NPs concentration had no negative effect on the nutritional value of soybean grains. The research could lead to a better understanding of the potential impact of nutritional changes caused by MoO 3 NPs on human health. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.)

Symbiotic nitrogen fixation can reduce the impact of agriculture on the environment by reducing fertilizer input. The rapid development of nanomaterials in agriculture provides a new prospect for us to improve the biological nitrogen fixation ability of leguminous crops. Molybdenum is an important component of nitrogenase, and the potential application of MoO 3 NPs in agriculture is largely unexplored. In this study, on the basis of verifying that MoO 3 NPs can improve the nitrogen fixation ability of soybean, the effects of MoO 3 NPs on the symbiotic nitrogen fixation process of soybean were investigated by using dynamic transcriptome and targeted metabolome techniques. Here we showed that compared with conventional molybdenum fertilizer, minute concentrations of MoO 3 NPs (0.01-0.1 mg kg -1 ) could promote soybean growth and nitrogen fixation efficiency. The nodules number, fresh nodule weight and nitrogenase activity of 0.1 mg kg -1 were increased by 17 %, 14 % and 27 %, and plant nitrogen accumulation increased by 17 %. Compared with conventional molybdenum fertilizer, MoO 3 NPs had a greater effect on apigenin, kaempferol and other flavonoid, and the expression of nodulation related genes such as ENOD93, F3'H. Based on WGCNA analysis, we identified a core gene GmCHS9 that was positively responsive to molybdenum and was highly expressed during MoO 3 NPs induced nodulation. MoO 3 NPs could improve the nitrogen fixation ability of soybean by promoting the secretion of flavonoids and the expression of key genes. This study provided a new perspective for the nano-strengthening strategy of nodules development and flavonoid biosynthesis by molybdenum., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Soluble sugars contribute to the taste and flavor of citrus fruit. Potassium (K), known as a quality element, plays key roles in improving sugar accumulation and fruit quality, but the mechanism is largely unknown. This study aims to elucidate how K improves sugar accumulation by regulating carbon flow from source leaves to fruit in Newhall navel orange. We found that optimal fruit K concentrations around 1.5% improved sugar accumulation and fruit quality in citrus. K application increased the strength of both sink and source, as indicated by the increased fruit growth rate, enzyme activities and expression levels of key genes involved in sucrose (Suc) metabolism in fruit and leaf. K application also facilitated Suc transport from source leaves to fruit, as confirmed by the enhanced 13 C-Suc level in fruit. Furthermore, we found that navel orange used the symplastic pathway for transporting Suc from source leaves to fruit, and K application enhanced symplastic loading, as demonstrated by the intensified carboxyfluorescein signal and increased plasmodesmata density in leaves. The findings reveal that K stimulates fruit sugar accumulation by increasing carbon flow from source leaves to fruit in Newhall navel orange., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Nanjing Agricultural University.)

The prolonged utilization of copper (Cu)-containing fungicides results in Cu accumulation and affects soil ecological health. Thus, a pot experiment was conducted using Citrus reticulata cv. Shatangju with five Cu levels (38, 108, 178, 318, and 388 mg kg -1 ) to evaluate the impacts of the soil microbial processes, chemistry properties, and citrus growth. These results revealed that, with the soil Cu levels increased, the soil total Cu (TCu), available Cu (ACu), organic matter (SOM), available potassium (AK), and pH increased while the soil available phosphorus (AP) and alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen (AN) decreased. Moreover, the soil extracellular enzyme activities related to C and P metabolism decreased while the enzymes related to N metabolism increased, and the expression of soil genes involved in C, N, and P cycling was regulated. Moreover, it was observed that tolerant microorganisms (e.g., p_Proteobacteria , p_Actinobacteria , g_Lysobacter , g_Sphingobium , f_Aspergillaceae , and g_Penicillium ) were enriched but sensitive taxa ( p_Myxococcota ) were suppressed in the citrus rhizosphere. The citrus biomass was mainly positively correlated with soil AN and AP; plant N and P were mainly positively correlated with soil AP, AN, and acid phosphatase (ACP); and plant K was mainly negatively related with soil β-glucosidase (βG) and positively related with the soil fungal Shannon index. The dominant bacterial taxa p_Actinobacteriota presented positively correlated with the plant biomass and plant N, P, and K and was negatively correlated with plant Cu. The dominant fungal taxa p_Ascomycota was positively related to plant Cu but negatively with the plant biomass and plant N, P, and K. Notably, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi ( p_Glomeromycota ) were positively related with plant P below soil Cu 108 mg kg -1 , and pathogenic fungi ( p_Mortierellomycota ) was negatively correlated with plant K above soil Cu 178 mg kg -1 . These findings provided a new perspective on soil microbes and chemistry properties and the healthy development of the citrus industry at increasing soil Cu levels.

Molybdenum (Mo) plays a pivotal role in the growth and nitrogen-fixing process of plants mediated by rhizobia. However, the influence of nano‑molybdenum trioxide (MoO 3 NPs) on soybean growth, rhizosphere bioavailable Mo, and nitrogen-fixing microorganisms remains underexplored. Here, we report that compared with that of ionic Mo and bulk MoO 3 , the utilization of MoO 3 NPs (specifically NPs0.05 and NPs0.15) significantly boosted the available Mo content in the rhizosphere soil throughout the seedling (by 21.64 %-101.38 %), podding (by 54.44 %-68.89 %), and mature stage (by 34.41 %-to 45.71 %) of soybean growth. Furthermore, both NPs0.05 and NPs0.15 treatments maintained consistently higher levels of acid-extractable Mo, reducible Mo, and oxidizable Mo across these stages, which facilitated stable conversion and supply of bioavailable Mo. Within the rhizosphere soil, NPs0.05 and NPs0.15 treatments resulted in the highest relative abundance of Rhizobiales and Bradyrhizobium genera, and significantly promoted the colonization of nitrogen-fixing microorganisms, thereby increasing the content of nitrate nitrogen (NO 3 - -N) by 8.69 % and 7.72 % and ammonium nitrogen (NH 4 + -N) by 44.75 % and 17.55 %, respectively. Ultimately, these effects together contributed to 107.17 % and 84.00 % increment in soybean yield by NPs0.05 and NPs0.15 treatments, respectively. In summary, our findings underscore the potential of employing MoO 3 NPs to promote plant growth and maintain soil nitrogen cycling, indicating distinct advantages of MoO 3 NPs over ionic Mo and bulk MoO 3 ., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Neuropathic pain (NP) is a common type of chronic pain caused by a lesion or disease of the somatosensory nervous system. This condition imposes a considerable economic burden on society and patients. Daphnetin (DAP) is a natural product isolated from a Chinese medicinal herb with various pharmacological activities, such as anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. However, the underlying mechanisms of these effects are not fully understood. In the present study, we aimed to investigate DAP's anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects and explore the underlying mechanisms of action. The NP model was established as chronic constrictive injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve, and pain sensitivity was evaluated by measuring the mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT) and thermal withdrawal threshold (TWT). The activation of microglia in the spinal dorsal horn was measured via immunofluorescence staining. Protein levels were measured using a western blot assay. Using a mass-spectrometry proteomics platform and an LC-MS/MS-based metabolomics platform, proteins and metabolites in spinal cord tissues were extracted and analyzed. DAP treatment ameliorated the MWT and TWT in CCI rats. The expression of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α was inhibited by DAP treatment in the spinal cords of CCI rats. Moreover, the activation of microglia was suppressed after DAP treatment. The elevation in the levels of P2X 4 , IRF8, IRF5, BDNF, and p-P38/P38 in the spinal cord caused by CCI was inhibited by DAP. Proteomics and metabolomics results indicated that DAP ameliorated the imbalance of glycerophospholipid metabolism in the spinal cords of CCI rats. DAP can potentially ameliorate NP by regulating microglial responses and glycerophospholipid metabolism in the CCI model. This study provides a pharmacological justification for using DAP in the management of NP.

To investigate the incidence and explore the risk factors of venous thromboembolism (VTE) within 6 months after kidney transplantation. Total of 331 kidney transplant recipients were assessed by venous ultrasonography for VTE at 14 days, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months post-transplantation. Cox forward regression were used to identify the independent risk factors of VTE. This study registration number is ChiCTR1900020567 and the date of registration was 2019/01/08. The cumulative incidence of VTE was 2.72% (9/331) within 6 months after transplant. 77.8% (7/9) of VTEs occurred in the first 3 months post-transplantation. 88.9% (1/9) of VTEs were asymptomatic, 66.7% (6/9) of VTEs were mural thromboses and in the right lower extremity. Central vena catheterization (HR = 6.94) and severe pulmonary disease (including pneumonia) (HR = 57.35) were the risk factors for VTE in kidney transplantation recipients. KT patients are the high risk population of VTE. Future interventions should be strengthen for KT patients to receive a minimum of 3-month of precautionary measures for VTE, including infection prevention, and strengthening thromboprophylaxis on the CVC or transplanted side of lower extremity., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Molybdenum application holds the potential to enhance agricultural productivity. However, the precise impact on soil microbial diversity and mineral nutrient availability remains uncertain. In this study, we collected rhizosphere soil samples from different growth stages of broad beans. By analyzing mineral element contents, soil phosphorus and zinc fractions, as well as fungal and bacterial diversity, we observed that Mo application resulted in a reduction of soil Citrate‒P and HCl‒P content. This reduction led to an increase in available P content at different stages. Moreover, Mo application elevated root P concentration, but concurrently impeded the translocation of P to the shoots. Mo application also decreased the soil Exc‒Zn (exchangeable Zn) content while increasing the Res‒Zn (residual Zn) content, ultimately causing a decrease in available Zn content at different stages. Consequently, the Zn concentration within broad beans correspondingly decreased. Mo application fostered an augmentation in fungal richness and Shannon indices at the branching and podding stages. The analysis of microbial co-occurrence networks indicated that Mo application bolstered positive connectivity among fungal taxa. Remarkably, Mo significantly increased the abundance of Chaetomium, Leucosporidium, and Thielavia fungi. Spearman correlation analysis demonstrated a significant positive correlation between fungal diversity and soil available P content, as well as a notable negative correlation with soil available Zn content. These findings suggest that Mo application may modify the availability of soil P and Zn by influencing fungal diversity in the rhizosphere of crop soil, ultimately impacting nutrient accumulation within the grains., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

This study aims to further examine the effect of Magnesium (Mg) application on fruit quality and carotenoid metabolism in Satsuma mandarin pulp. For this, a field experiment was using 20-year-old Satsuma mandarin (C. unshiu Marc.) for two treatment; (1) CK treatment (without Mg), (2) Mg fertilizer treatment (200 g MgO plant -1 ). Compared with CK, Mg treatment substantially raised the Mg content in pulp at 90 to 150 DAF (the fruit expansion period), increasing by 15.69%-21.74%. Mg treatment also increased fruit TSS content by 15.84% and 9.88%, decreased fruit TA content in by 34.25% and 33.26% at 195 DAF and 210 DAF (the fruit ripening period). Moreover, at 120 to 195 DAF, Mg treatment significantly increased the levels of lutein, β-cryptoxanthin, zeaxanthin and violaxanthin in the pulp. This can be explained by the increased expression of important biosynthetic genes, including CitPSY, CitPDS, CitLCYb1, CitLCYb2, CitLCYe, CitHYb, and CitZEP, that played a role in altering the carotenoid composition. The findings of this research offer a novel approach for augmenting both the economic and nutritional worth of citrus fruits., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

The effect of phosphorus (P) speciation in biochar on soil available Cd and its mechanism to alleviate plant Cd stress remain largely unknown. Here, ammonium polyphosphate (PABC)-, phosphoric acid (PHBC)-, potassium dihydrogen phosphate (PKBC)-, and ammonium dihydrogen phosphate (PNBC)-modified biochar were used to investigate P speciation. The Cd immobilization mechanism of biochar was analyzed by XPS and 31 P NMR, and the soil quality and the mechanism for the biochar to alleviate Cd stress were also determined. The results demonstrated that PBC (pristine biochar), PABC, PHBC, PKBC, and PNBC reduced the content of soil DTPA-Cd by 14.96 % - 32.19 %, 40.44 % - 47.26 %, 17.52 % - 41.78 %, and 21.90 % - 36.64 %, respectively. The XPS and 31 P NMR results demonstrated that the orthophosphate on the surface of PABC, PHBC, PKBC, and PNBC accounted for 82.06 %, 62.77 %, 33.1 %, and 54.46 %, respectively, indicating that PABC has the highest passivation efficiency on soil Cd, which was ascribed to the highest orthophosphate content on the biochar surface. Pot experiments revealed that PABC could reduce the Cd content by 4.18, 4.41, 4.43, 2.94, and 2.57 folds in roots, stems, leaves, pods, and grains, respectively, and at the same time increase the dry and fresh weight of soybean and decrease Cd toxicity to soybean by improving the antioxidant system. In addition, application of the P-modified biochars improved the enzyme activity and physicochemical properties of the soil. This study provides a new perspective for studying the effect of P-modified biochars on soil Cd immobilization., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

While molybdenum (Mo) application can improve phosphorus (P) availability to plants by changing P speciation in the rhizosphere, the mechanistic basis of this process remains unclear. This work investigated the impact of various combinations of Mo and P treatments on root morphology, P and Mo uptake, and root transcriptome and metabolome. Mo application significantly increased soybean biomass and the number of lateral roots at both low (5 μmol) or normal (500 μmol) P levels and significantly improved P concentration and accumulation in Normal P treatment. Compared with the Normal P treatment, Low P significantly increased the number of roots, root surface area, and root acid phosphatase secretion. A total of 6811 Mo-responsive differentially expressed genes and 135 differential metabolites were identified at two P levels. At Low P, transcriptional changes significantly increased root synthesis and secretion of succinic acid, methylmalonic acid, and other organic acids as well as acid phosphatase, thereby increasing the conversion of soil aluminum-bound P and organic P into available P. At Normal P, Mo application increased P uptake mainly by increasing the number of lateral roots. Thus, Mo helps crops adapt to different P levels by regulating root anatomy and transcriptional and metabolic profiles of their roots.

Nutritional enhancement has been reported to effectively relieve infected symptoms of Huanglongbing, one of the most destructive diseases of citrus. However, few studies focused on the role of plant nutrition in citrus plant-vector (Asian citrus psyllid; Diaphorina citri Kuwayama) interactions, which is regarded as an important part to develop an effective management strategy., Method: In the present study, a hydroponic culture was carried out to evaluate the effects of boron deficiency on psyllid feeding process to decode the molecular/biochemical basis of host-psyllid interaction., Results: Boron deficiency was observed to play a major role in accelerating the release of volatile organic compounds, especially methyl salicylate, affecting the shikimic acid pathway through an elevated synthesis of shikimic acid, l-phenylalanine, 3-phenylpyruvic acid and salicylic acid. These changes made citrus leaf more attractive to psyllid adults. Meanwhile, boron deficiency evidently decreased the boron concentration of leaf cell wall fractions, thereby, weakened the structural stability by affecting pectin and cellulose formations. A significant decrease of cell wall mechanical strength was observed in boron-deficiency leaf, which could be the critical reasons to reduce piercing and to increase phloem ingestion during psyllid feeding., Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that boron deficiency facilitated the feeding behavior of psyllid adults through elevated release of methyl salicylate, coupled with weakened mechanical properties of cell wall., (© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Exploration of the mechanisms of cadmium (Cd) activation mediated by the rhizosphere process is important to advance our understanding of Cd accumulation in plants. In this study, two oilseed rape cultivars (L338, L351) with varied Cd accumulation traits were applied and the responses of their rhizosphere ecology to Cd stress were investigated by metabolome and microbiome. The results showed that shoot Cd accumulations in L338 accounted for 54.16% and 64.76% of those in L351 under low and high Cd contamination, respectively. Moreover, the cultivars response of rhizosphere process reflected that the lower pH and higher Cd mobility were assigned to the characters of L351, which were induced by the secretion of carboxylic acid (e.g. Acetaminophen cysteine, N-Fructosyl alliin) and the enrichment of bacterial taxa with the capacities of Cd resistant and activation (e.g. Sphingomonas, Flavobacterium, Neorhizobium, Altererythrobacter). Conclusively, the varied Cd accumulation traits of two oilseed rape cultivars were not only derived from the Cd transfer ability, it would be ascribed to Cd mobility regulated by rhizosphere processes as well. The results provide baseline data and a new perspective on the cultivar response of Cd accumulation, thus maintaining cleaner production of oilseed rape., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The effects of the increased soil copper (Cu) on fruit quality due to the overuse of Cu agents have been a hot social issue. Seven representative citrus orchards in Guangxi province, China, were investigated to explore the fruit quality characteristics under different soil Cu levels and the relationship between soil-tree Cu and fruit quality. These results showed that pericarp color a value, titratable acid (TA), and vitamin C (Vc) were higher by 90.0, 166.6, and 22.4% in high Cu orchards and by 50.5, 204.2, and 55.3% in excess Cu orchards, compared with optimum Cu orchards. However, the ratio of total soluble solids (TSS)/TA was lower by 68.7% in high Cu orchards and by 61.6% in excess Cu orchards. With the increase of soil Cu concentrations, pericarp color a value and Vc were improved, TA with a trend of rising first then falling, and TSS/TA with a trend of falling first then rising were recorded. As fruit Cu increased, pericarp color a value and TSS reduced and as leaf Cu increased, TSS/TA decreased while Vc was improved. Moreover, a rise in soil Cu enhanced leaf Cu accumulation, and a rise in leaf Cu improved fruit Cu accumulation. Fruit Cu accumulation reduced fruit quality by direct effects, leaf Cu improved fruit quality by direct and indirect effects. Soil Cu affected fruit quality by indirect effects by regulating leaf Cu and fruit Cu. Therefore, reasonable regulation and control of soil Cu concentrations can effectively increase pericarp color, sugar, and acid accumulation in citrus fruit.

Background: Although ABO-incompatible (ABOi) kidney transplantation (KT) has been performed successfully, a standard preconditioning regimen has not been established. Based on the initial antidonor ABO antibody titers, an individualized preconditioning regimen is developed, and this study explored the efficacy and safety of the regimen., Methods: From September 1, 2014, to September 1, 2020, we performed 1668 consecutive living-donor KTs, including 100 ABOi and 1568 ABO-compatible (ABOc) KTs. ABOi KT recipients (KTRs) with a lower antibody titer (≤1:8) were administered oral immunosuppressive drugs (OIs) before KT, while patients with a medium titer (1:16) received OIs plus antibody-removal therapy (plasma exchange/double-filtration plasmapheresis), patients with a higher titer (≥1:32) were in addition received rituximab (Rit). Competing risk analyses were conducted to estimate the cumulative incidence of infection, acute rejection (AR), graft loss, and patient death., Results: After propensity score analyses, 100 ABOi KTRs and 200 matched ABOc KTRs were selected. There were no significant differences in graft and patient survival between the ABOi and ABOc groups (P  = 0.787, P  = 0.386, respectively). After using the individualized preconditioning regimen, ABOi KTRs showed a similar cumulative incidence of AR (10.0% υs . 10.5%, P  = 0.346). Among the ABOi KTRs, the Rit-free group had a similar cumulative incidence of AR ( P  = 0.714) compared to that of the Rit-treated group. Multivariate competing risk analyses revealed that a Rit-free regimen reduced the risk of infection (HR: 0.31; 95% CI: 0.12-0.78, P  = 0.013). Notably, antibody titer rebound was more common in ABOi KTRs receiving a Rit-free preconditioning regimen ( P  = 0.013) than those receiving Rit. ABOi KTRs with antibody titer rebound had a 2.72-fold risk of AR (HR: 2.72, 95% CI: 1.01-7.31, P  = 0.048). ABOi KTRs had similar serum creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate compared to those of ABOc KTRs after the first year., Conclusions: An individualized preconditioning regimen can achieve comparable graft and patient survival rates in ABOi KT with ABOc KT. Rit-free preconditioning effectively prevented AR without increasing the risk of infectious events in those with lower initial titers; however, antibody titer rebound should be monitored., (Copyright © 2022 The Chinese Medical Association, produced by Wolters Kluwer, Inc. under the CC-BY-NC-ND license.)

Phosphorus-modified biochars are considered as good materials for the removal of heavy metals from wastewater. However, the efficacy of ammonium polyphosphate-modified biochar in cadmium (Cd(II)) adsorption remains largely unknown. In this work, the biochar was respectively modified with ammonium polyphosphate (PABC), phosphoric acid (PHBC) and ammonium dihydrogen phosphate (PNBC) to enhance its adsorption performance for heavy metals from wastewater. The properties of biochar before and after modification and P speciation on the surface of the modified biochar were investigated with FTIR, SEM-EDS, XPS, XRD and 31 P NMR, and the adsorption capacity was evaluated by batch adsorption experiments. The results demonstrated that the optimal adsorption performance could be achieved at the solution pH = 4, and the pseudo-second-order and Langmuir models could well describe the Cd(II) adsorption process. The maximum adsorption capacity of PABC, PHBC and PNBC for Cd(II) was 155, 138 and 99 mg g -1 , which were 4.84, 4.32 and 3.10 folds that of original biochar, respectively. The 31 P NMR showed that orthophosphate accounted for 82.1%, 62.8% and 54.5% of P in PABC, PHBC and PNBC, respectively, which decreased to 28.24%, 33.51% and 29.34% after Cd(II) adsorption, indicating that the orthophosphate ratio in P-modified biochar surface could significantly affect Cd adsorption by forming phosphate precipitate. This work implies that the PABC has greater potential in the removal of Cd from wastewater relative to PHBC and PNBC., (Copyright © 2022. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Purpose: To prospectively evaluate short-term outcomes between a novel minimally invasive kidney transplantation (MIKT) technique and conventional kidney transplantation (CKT)., Materials and Methods: From March 2018 to February 29, 2019, 148 patients were randomized into MIKT and CKT groups. All patients were followed up for 12 months., Results: The MIKT group had a significantly shorter incision length (5.6 ± 0.4 vs 11.4 ± 0.4 cm, P < .001). There was no difference in operation time, blood loss, acute rejection, infection, and wound dehiscence between MIKT and CKT groups. Both groups had comparable pain scores and analgesic requirements in the first 3 days after transplantation and comparable renal function at 12 months. The MIKT group had higher satisfaction than the CKT group during follow-up (9.3 ± 0.3 vs 8.1 ± 0.5, P < .001; 9.5 ± 0.2 vs 8.5 ± 0.3, P < .001; 9.4 ± 0.3 vs 8.5 ± 0.3, P < .001; 9.2 ± 0.3 vs 8.5 ± 0.4, P = .003 for posttransplant months 1, 3, 6, and 12, respectively). The MIKT group had a significantly lower Vancouver Scar Scale score (4.1 ± 0.4 vs 5.2 ± 0.5, P < .001; 4.3 ± 0.4 vs 6.1 ± 0.4, P < .001; 5.2 ± 0.6 vs 6.7 ± 0.5, P < .001; 7.7 ± 0.7 vs 8.9 ± 0.5, P = .009 for posttransplant months 1, 3, 6, and 12, respectively)., Conclusions: MIKT has demonstrated equivalent safety and improved patient satisfaction compared to CKT. This technique may be an appropriate choice for selected patients., (Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Lipids are the structural constituents of cell membranes and play crucial roles in plant adaptation to abiotic stresses. The aim of this study was to use glycerolipidomic and transcriptomic to analyze the changes in lipids metabolism induced by cadmium (Cd) exposure in wheat. The results indicated that Cd stress did not decrease the concentrations of monogalactosyldiacyglycerol (MGDG), phosphatidylcholine (PC), lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) and phosphatidic acid at 6 h, but decreased digalactosyldoacylglycerol (DGDG), MGDG, PC, phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylglycerol (PG), phosphatidylserine (PS) and LPC concentrations in wheat root at 24 h. Although the concentrations of highly abundant glycerolipids PC and PE were decreased, the ratios of PC/PE increased thus contributing to wheat adaptation to Cd stress. Cd did not reduce the extent of total lipid unsaturation due to the unchanged concentrations of high abundance species of C36:4, C34:2, C34:3 and C36:6 at 6 h, indicative of their roles in resisting Cd stress. The correlation analysis revealed the glycerolipids species experiencing co-metabolism under Cd stress, which is driven by the activated expression of genes related to glycerolipid metabolism, desaturation and oxylipin synthesis. This study gives insights into the changes of glycerolipids induced by Cd and the roles in wheat adaptation to Cd stress., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Cadmium (Cd) is present in many soils and, when enter a food chain, represents a major health threat to humans. The existent large variation in grain Cd content amongst wheat genotypes opens prospects for genetic improvement for reduced Cd uptake in this species. However, selecting low-Cd-accumulating varieties comes with a possible caveat of affecting uptake other essential nutrients. In this work, we screened 134 wheat varieties in 3 various field studies and selected 15 high- and 15 low-Cd accumulating varieties in grains for ionomics analysis. Our results showed that high-Cd accumulating varieties also possessed an ability to accumulate mineral elements of calcium, magnesium, manganese, iron and zinc, while varieties with low Cd content were deficient in many essential nutrients and, especially, zinc (Zn). The above data was confirmed in an independent trail involving another 97 wheat varieties. Thus, selecting plants for high Zn accumulation (as a part of biofortification programs) resulted in an inadvertent increase in accumulation of the toxic Cd in wheat. Vice versa, selecting low Cd-accumulating varieties comes with a danger of reducing their Zn content, with major consequences to food quality and human health. We suggest that the above conundrum can be resolved by understanding the structure-function relations of various transporters isoforms involved in Zn and Cd transport and issue-specific mode of their operation, via cell-based phenotyping followed by molecular breeding., (Copyright © 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Chlorine (Cl) is indispensable for the growth of plants. While rarely systematic reports are available for the effect of Cl-containing fertilizers on citrus production. This study aimed to investigate the impacts of various Cl-containing fertilizers on the nutrients in the leaves, the yield and quality of sweet orange, and the Cl migration in the plant-soil-leaching system. A 5-year field experiment (2016-2020) with five Cl treatments (0, 75, 150, 450, and 900 kg ha -1 ), and soil core lysimeter test with five Cl levels (0, 150, 225, 300, and 450 kg ha -1 ) were carried out. The results showed that 77.0% of Cl leached into above 60 cm deeper soil layer, with calcium as the main accompanying ions, resulting in less Cl being absorbed by the citrus plants. The content of Cl in the leaves and soil was enhanced by the increasing input of Cl-containing fertilizer, without yearly increased characteristics, under a mean annual rainfall of 1,474 mm. Chlorine significantly increased the yield (13.24-37.8 9%), fruit weight, and vitamin C (Vc), in addition to enhancing the flavor and the juice yield of sweet orange via improving the absorption of N and K. Moreover, the long-term application of potassium sulfate has elevated the accumulation of sulfur in the soil and in leaves; it is becoming a potential risk factor for citrus production. Taken together, the application of Cl-containing fertilizer in sweet orange is feasible, and trace absorbance of Cl could improve the yield and fruit quality of sweet orange., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Liu, Hu, Zhu, Riaz, Liu, Dong, Liu, Wu, Tan and Tan.)

Aims and Objectives: To explore the efficacy of non-invasive blood pressure monitors on reducing clinical complications of peripheral intravenous catheters in renal transplant recipients., Background: A peripheral intravenous catheter is a regular route of medication administration, but the incidence of complications such as infiltration, occlusion and phlebitis perpetuates in the clinical setting., Design: This was a cohort study., Methods: Patients were placed naturally into observation group or control group according to whether or not the two procedures (non-invasive blood pressure monitoring and peripheral intravenous catheters indwelling) were on the same arm. Univariate test and Cox regression model were used to estimate relative risk factors. The STROBE checklist was used to guide the submission., Results: We identified 177 kidney recipient patients during the perioperative period with 440 peripheral intravenous catheters. There were incidences of 112 (25.5%) phlebitis, 137 (31.1%) occlusion and 150 (31.8%) infiltration. There was no significant difference between incidence of phlebitis, occlusion and infiltration between the observation group and the control group (p > .05). The observation group peripheral intravenous catheters indwelling time was 97.03 ± 6.76 hr, while it was 89.22 ± 9.55 hr for the control group. However, this difference was not significant between the two groups (p > .05). Cox risk regression showed that only a high BMI was a risk factor for peripheral intravenous catheters indwelling time., Conclusion: Non-invasive blood pressure monitoring did not increase complications or shorten PIVCs indwelling time among renal transplant recipients. BMI represented an independent risk factor for the peripheral intravenous catheters indwelling time., Relevance to Clinical Practice: It is not a prohibition to take non-invasive blood pressure measurement when having a peripheral intravenous catheter, especially in some special circumstances in the clinical practice or when good prevention procedures are implemented., (© 2021 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Abstract: Correct follow-up is necessary to avoid under- or overtreatment in the care of patients with treated carcinomas of head and neck. Ultrasound is a cost-effective, harmless, easy, and feasible method. It can be applied in the outpatient clinic in follow-up but the United Kingdom National Multidisciplinary guidelines are recommended computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging for the detection of metastasis for head and neck carcinomas in the follow-up period. The purpose of the study was to state that neck ultrasound would be the method of choice on follow-up care of Chinese patients who received primary treatment for carcinoma of head and neck.Patients who received primary treatment for carcinoma of the head and neck were examined for 5-years in follow-up through physical, clinical, and neck ultrasound (n = 198). If patients had no evidence of disease after 60 months of definitive therapy considered as a cure. If patients had no evidence of disease after 36 months of salvage therapy considered as a cure of recurrence.Irrespective of definitive treatment used, the study was monitored through neck ultrasound during 5 years of a follow-up visit and was reported cure in 126 (64%) patients and recurrence in 72 (36%; distant metastasis: 33 [17%], local recurrence: 24 [12%], and regional recurrence: 15 [7%]) patients. Primary tumor stage IV, III, II, and I had 63% (15/24), 51% (21/41), 32% (18/56), and 23% (18/77) recurrence, respectively. The time to detect regional recurrence was shorter than that for local recurrence (P < .0001, q = 15.059) and distant recurrence (P < .0001, q = 7.958). Local recurrence and stage I primary tumor had the highest percentage cure for recurrence.Neck ultrasound in the follow-up period is reported to be effective for the detection of recurrence of patients who received primary treatment for carcinoma of head and neck especially regional recurrence and primary tumor stage I.Level of Evidence: III., Competing Interests: The authors report no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2021 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Phosphorus (P) is one of the essential macro-elements for plants. Sugar and organic acid are important factors affecting sensory characteristics of citrus fruit quality. The aim of this study was to investigate how P fertilizer affects quality improvement particularly sucrose (Suc), fructose (Fru), glucose (Glu) and citric acid (CA) accumulations in Cara Cara navel. P fertilizer improved fruit quality of Cara Cara navel, as supported by decreasing titratable acid (TA), CA and increasing soluble solid (TSS), sugars and the ratio of TSS and TA. At the early stage of fruit development, P fertilizer had greater roles in degrading Suc into Fru and Glu due to the increased activities of Suc-degrading enzymes including acid invertase, neutral invertase and Suc synthase-cleavage activity. Coversely, at the mid and late stages of fruit development, P fertilizer had greater roles in re-synthesizing Suc due to the increased activities of Suc-synthesizing enzymes including Suc phosphate synthase and Suc synthase-synthetic activity. These results indicated that application of P fertilizer increased soluble sugars concentrations by improving Suc metabolism and sink strength in fruit conferred by the upregulations of the activities of Suc-degrading and Suc-synthesizing enzymes. P fertilizer decreased CA accumulations at least partially by inhibiting synthesis of CA due to the decreased activities of CA-synthesizing enzymes including citrate synthetase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase. This study suggested that P fertilizer, particularly fertilized with 0.40 kg/plant, increased soluble sugars but decreased CA accumulations in citrus fruit., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Background: Kidney transplantation is the major treatment for end-stage renal disease (ESRD). However, kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) face severe challenges during the transition period from hospital discharge to home, increasing the risk of early hospital readmission (EHR) and affecting patient safety. Nevertheless, knowledge of effective transitional care for KTRs is limited in China., Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of an innovative transitional care program in improving discharge readiness, transitional care quality, health services utilization and patient satisfaction among KTRs in China., Design: A prospective randomized controlled trial., Settings and Participants: Patients admitted to undergo kidney transplantation were recruited in a general tertiary hospital in Chengdu, China., Methods: A total of 220 eligible patients were recruited and randomly assigned to the intervention and control groups. Participants in the intervention group received a transitional care intervention developed by the research team, including a risk assessment for early readmission, health education from admission to predischarge, individualized discharge planning, and a telephone follow-up once per week for one month and WeChat follow-up postdischarge. The control group received routine care of comparable length and follow-up contact. A trained research assistant collected all patients' baseline data on admission (T0), evaluated the discharge readiness (by the Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale) on the day of discharge (T1), collected data on transitional care quality (by the Care Transition Measure-15) and patients' satisfaction with transitional care services (by a self-developed patient satisfaction scale) on the 30th day postdischarge (T2), and collected data on hospital readmission, unscheduled outpatient department visits, and emergency room visits on the 30th and 90th days (by a self-developed health services utilization record table) (T3) postdischarge. Intervention effects were analyzed using independent samples t-tests, Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney U tests, Chi-square tests or Fisher's exact test., Results: Compared with the control group, the intervention group showed significantly better discharge readiness (personal status, P<0.001; knowledge, P = 0.010; coping ability, P<0.001; expected support, P = 0.007; total score, P<0.001), better transitional care quality (importance of preferences, P<0.001; management preparation, P<0.001; critical understanding, P = 0.003; written and understandable care plan, P = 0.012; total score, P<0.001), lower readmission rate at T2 (P = 0.033) and at T3 (P = 0.013), lower emergency room visit rate at T3 (P = 0.014), and better satisfaction with transitional care services (P<0.001)., Conclusions: This study provides evidence that an innovative transitional care program is effective in promoting KTRs' discharge readiness, transitional care quality, reducing hospital readmission and emergency room visits, and improving their satisfaction with transitional care services., Trial Registration: Clinical Trials ChiCTR1800014971., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest None., (Copyright © 2020. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Molybdenum (Mo), which is an essential microelement for plant growth, plays important roles in multiple metabolic and physiological processes, including responses to drought and cold stress in wheat. Lipids also have crucial roles in plant adaptions to abiotic stresses. The aim of this study was to use glycerolipidomic and transcriptomic analyses to determine the changes in lipids induced by Mo that are associated with Mo-enhanced drought tolerance in wheat. Mo treatments increased the transcript levels of genes involved in fatty acid and glycerolipid biosynthesis and desaturation, but suppressed the expression of genes involved in oxylipin production. Wheat plants supplemented with Mo displayed higher contents of monogalactosyldiacyglycerol (MGDG), digalactosyldoacylglycerol (DGDG), phosphatidylglycerol (PG), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), and phosphatidylcholine (PC) with increased levels of unsaturation. The levels of MGDG, DGDG, PG, and PC increased under PEG-simulated drought (PSD), and the magnitude of the responses varied in the presence and absence of Mo. Mo increased the accumulation of the most abundant glycerolipid species of C36:6, C34:4, and C34:3 by increasing the expression of genes related to desaturation under PSD, and this contributed to maintaining the fluidity of membranes. In addition, Mo attenuated the decreases in the ratios of DGDG/MGDG and PC/PE that were observed under PSD. These changes in lipids in Mo-treated wheat would contribute to maintaining the integrity of membranes and to protecting the photosynthetic apparatus, thus acting together to enhance drought tolerance., (© The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Experimental Biology. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

A better understanding is required for using biochar as an alternative option to lime materials for sustainable amelioration of soil acidity and improvement of fruit quality in acidic soils. In this study, a pot experiment was conducted to investigate the comparative effects of biochar (three different dosages of biochar, 1%, 2% and 4%, were denoted by BC-1, BC-2 and BC-3, respectively) and lime (three different dosages of lime, 1.2, 2.4 and 3.6 g kg - 1 , were denoted by L-1, L-2 and L-3, respectively) on soil properties and fruit acidity of Satsuma mandarin. The decreased rates of fruit titratable acid (TA) by BC-1, BC-2 and BC-3 were 16.18%, 25.00% and 14.71%, which were higher than those by L-1, L-2 and L-3 were 11.76%, 16.18% and 5.88%. Moreover, the increased rates of fruit total soluble solid (TSS)/TA were 14.94%, 31.73%, 28.04% by BC-1, BC-2 and BC-3, but were 11.42%, 21.77%, 10.15% by L-1, L-2 and L-3, suggesting that biochar had better effects on improving fruit quality. Acidic soil properties were improved by biochar and lime, but biochar had better amelioration effects, as evidenced by soil-treated with BC-2 and BC-3 had greater increases of soil pH, soil respiration (SR) and microbial metabolic quotient, activities of soil urease (SU), invertase (SI), catalase (CAT) and cellulose (SC), and concentrations of soil phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and magnesium (Mg). Principal component analysis showed that soil pH, SR, SU, SI and CAT were main contributors to the differences of improvement effects of biochar and lime. Correlation analysis showed that fruit TA had negative relationships with soil pH, SU, SI, CAT, SC and soil P, K, Mg. This study indicates that the better effects of biochar on improving fruit quality of Satsuma mandarin were associated with the greater effects of it on improving acidic soil properties., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Occupational stress impairs nurses' psychosomatic wellbeing, which includes anxiety, depression, sleep quality, and somatic symptoms; however, few studies have focused on the associations between the subdimensions of occupational stress [workload and time pressure (WTP), professional and career issues (PC), patient care and interaction (PCI), interpersonal relationships and management problems (IRMP), resource and environment problem (REP)] and psychosomatic wellbeing among nurses in China. This study thus examined these associations using a cross-sectional survey in Sichuan, China. An online application was devised to collect data, with the scales of sociodemographic and occupational variables, Nurse Job Stressor Questionnaire, the 9- and 15-item Patient Health Questionnaires, the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Investigation was completed by 2889 nurses (96.7% women; mean age = 31.20 ± 6.72 years). Relationships were identified by correlation and multivariate regression analyses. Most (68.3%) nurses had high levels of occupational stress. The multivariate analyses revealed that WTP was correlated with anxiety (P = .003). PC was associated with depression (P = .033) and sleep quality (P = .078). PCI was correlated with anxiety (P = .031) and somatic symptoms (P = .005). IRMP was associated with anxiety (P = .018), depression (P = .001), and somatic symptoms (P = .025). Lastly, REPs had nonsignificant relationships with depression, anxiety, sleep quality, and somatic symptoms. In sum, nurses had high levels of occupational stress; therefore, a series of strategies should be implemented to help nurses cope with the above issues, which could promote nurses' psychosomatic wellbeing, and have a buffering effect on nurses' depression, anxiety, poor sleep quality, and somatic symptoms.

Zinc (Zn) possesses similar properties to cadmium (Cd) and inhibits Cd uptake in plants. To get more detailed mechanisms of Zn-inhibited Cd uptake in pakchoi, a hydroponic experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of various Zn levels on Cd concentrations, real time flux of Cd, expressions of genes related to Cd uptake under Cd exposure. The results showed that the Cd concentrations and Cd accumulations in pakchoi root decreased with increasing Zn levels, which were coincident with that real time Cd influx and net Cd influx of pakchoi root decreased with increasing Zn levels by non-invasive micro-test technology (NMT). Additionally, the expressions of Cd-related transporters including BcNRAMP5, BcIRT1 and BcMGT1 decreased with the increase of Zn levels under Cd exposure, especially BcIRT1 with the highest decreased rates. Furthermore, the expressions of these genes decreased gradually with the prolongation of Zn treated time under Cd toxicity. The results indicate that Zn inhibits Cd uptake by inhibition of the expressions of Cd-related transporters, especially BcIRT1 in pakchoi root., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Molybdenum (Mo), an essential microelement for plants, animals, and microorganisms, is reported can reduce soil nitrogen (N) residues and regulate plant root growth, but little is known about its effect on soil N transformation in plant-root region. A specially designed rhizobox was used in the present study to investigate the N processes in rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soils of winter wheat applied with different rates of Mo fertilizer. (1) In the rhizosphere soil, pH values increased with increasing rates of Mo application, nitrate (NO 3 - -N) accumulated at the rates of 0.15 and 0.3 mg Mo kg -1 , potential denitrification activity (PDA) was significantly reduced by application of 0.15-1 mg Mo kg -1 , and the copy numbers of narG and nosZ genes were increased by application of 0.15-1 mg Mo kg -1 . (2) In the non-rhizosphere soil, NO 3 - -N content decreased by application of 0.15-0.3 mg Mo kg -1 , and narG gene abundance increased obviously by application of 0.3-1 mg Mo kg -1 . (3) Soil pH, NO 3 - -N, apparent nitrification rate (ANR), and nosZ gene abundance were significantly higher in rhizosphere than in non-rhizosphere soil. On the contrary, NH 4 + -N and total N, PDA, the abundance of AOB, and nirK and nirS genes were significantly higher in non-rhizosphere soil. The results indicated that the N transformations in rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soils were differently affected by soil application of Mo fertilizer, and rhizosphere played a more important role in soil N cycle processes. The regulatory effects of Mo on these processes were to increase plant biomass and N uptake, promote the NO 3 - -N accumulation in rhizosphere soil, and weaken the denitrification in both rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soils.

Most plants exhibit strong tolerance to excess molybdenum (Mo). However, the metabolic profile and tolerance mechanisms of plants in response to excess Mo remain unknown. We comprehensively analyzed changes in the metabolic profiles of leaves and roots in soybean (Glycine max L.) seedlings cultured under normal-Mo and excess-Mo conditions by using ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) combined with MS/MS (mass spectrometry). There were 42 differential metabolites in the roots and 19 differential metabolites in the leaves in response to excess Mo stress. In roots, the organic acids, levels of gluconic acid, D-glucarate and citric acid increased by 107.63-, 4.42- and 2.87-folds after excess Mo exposure. Several hormones (salicylic acid, jasmonic acid) and lipids (PG, MG, DG etc) also increased significantly under excess Mo condition. Metabolites related to ascorbate-glutathione metabolism and flavonoid and isoflavone biosynthesis notably accumulated in roots. Only lipid metabolism and salicylic acid accumulation were induced in leaves under excess Mo stress. It is speculated that organic compounds such as 2-oxoarginine, L-nicotine, gluconic acid, D-glucurate, and citric acid played important roles to chelate Mo and reduce its toxicity. Signaling molecules (JA, SA, and some lipids) and non-enzyme antioxidants such as flavonoids/isoflavones act synergistically to detoxify ROS and contribute to Mo tolerance in soybean seedlings. More metabolic pathways were induced by Mo excess in roots than in leaves, suggesting that roots play more implant role in Mo tolerance., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The fruit quality of 6 citrus cultivars growing in the same orchard was determined at ripening stage in both 2014 and 2015. We further measured the components of sugar (sucrose, fructose and glucose), organic acid (citric, malate and quinic acid), enzymes related to Glycolysis and Krebs cycle and mineral elements at 5 stages of fruit development in the second year. The results showed that at ripening stage of both years, 'Newhall' cultivar had higher TSS concentration and the TSS/TA ratio but lower TA concentration, while 'Flame' cultivar was exactly opposite. Sucrose and citric acid were the most accumulated compounds in fruit during the fruit development of 6 citrus cultivars. Fruit sucrose concentration increased from 9.26 mg·kg -1 at 60 DAFB to 50.92 mg·kg -1 at 180 DAFB, and the citric acid concentration increased from 1.41 mg·kg -1 at 60 DAFB to 29.87 mg·kg -1 at 90 DAFB or 29.02 mg·kg -1 at 120 DAFB then decreased till ripening (5.47 mg·kg -1 ). We found ACO was the key enzyme resulting in the difference of citric acid accumulation, but not quite clear in sucrose metabolism. The fruit mineral nutrient concentrations of 6 cultivars during the fruit development were 0.94-1.92% of N, 0.11-0.23% of P, 1.03-1.37% of K, 0.31-1.15% of Ca, 0.11-0.29% of Mg, 3.97-72.34 mg·Fe kg -1 , 1.93-10.64 mg·Mn kg -1 , 1.56-10.73 mg·Cu kg -1 , and 0.90-16.80 mg·Zn kg -1 . We also analyzed the relationship among each sugar, organic acid component and mineral nutrient in this study by curve estimation and PCA analysis. The results indicated that only Mg was significantly correlated with both sugar and organic acid component, negative and positive respectively. It suggested that the accumulation of sugar and organic acid might be related to the dynamic changes of fruit Mg concentrations of 6 citrus cultivars., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Key Message: Our study first reveals that Mo mediates oxidative tolerance through ABA signaling. Moreover, NO acts downstream of ABA signaling in Mo-induced oxidative tolerance in wheat under drought stress. Nitric oxide (NO) is related to the improvement of molybdenum (Mo)-induced oxidative tolerance. While the function of Mo in abscisic acid (ABA) synthesis and in mediating oxidative tolerance by the interaction of ABA and NO remain to be studied. The -Mo and +Mo treatment-cultivated wheat was separated and subsequently was pretreated with AO inhibitor, ABA synthesis inhibitor, exogenous ABA, NO scavenger, NO donor or their combinations under polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG)-stimulated drought stress (PSD). The AO activity and ABA content were increased by Mo in wheat under PSD, however, AO inhibitor decreased AO activity, correspondingly reduced ABA accumulation, suggesting that AO involves in the regulation of Mo-induced ABA synthesis. Mo enhanced activities and expressions of antioxidant enzyme, while these effects of Mo were reversed by AO inhibitor and ABA synthesis inhibitor due to the decrease of ABA content, but regained by exogenous ABA, indicating that Mo induces oxidative tolerance through ABA. Moreover, NO scavenger inhibited activities of antioxidant enzyme caused by Mo and exogenous ABA, but the inhibitions were eliminated by NO donor, indicating that NO is involved in ABA pathway in the regulation of Mo-induced oxidative tolerance in wheat under PSD. Finally, we proposed a scheme for the mechanism of Mo-induced oxidative tolerance.

Some studies have shown that excess molybdenum (Mo) could produce toxic effects on plants. However, little is known about the subcellular distribution of Mo and cell ultrastructure within plants under excess Mo stress. Here, we comprehensively analyzed the changes of Mo distribution in subcellular fractions, cell ultrastructure and antioxidant enzymes in leaves and roots of soybean seedlings in response to excess Mo stress. The results showed that roots exhibited higher Mo accumulation than leaves at the 100 mg L -1 Mo level, about 38.58-, 171.48- and 52.99-fold higher in cell walls, cell organelles and soluble fractions, respectively. Subcellular fractionations of Mo-containing tissues indicated that approximately 90% of Mo was accumulated in the soluble fractions and cell walls of the roots and leaves, and soluble fractions (accumulated 66.3-72.2% Mo) might serve as an effective storage site for excess Mo. Furthermore, excess Mo caused ultrastructural alterations in roots and leaves of soybean seedlings, leading to structural abnormality of chloroplast in leaf cells, plasmolysis, cellular deformity, vacuole enlargement and the swelling of cell wall and cytoplasm in root cells. Meanwhile, under excess Mo stress, the activity of POD, CAT and APX enzymes in roots was 1.43, 2.35 and 1.23 times that under standard Mo condition, while that of SOD and CAT enzymes in leaves was 1.23 and 1.94 times, respectively. This study provided novel insights into the mechanisms of excess Mo toxicity in soybean seedlings., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Cadmium (Cd) absorption and accumulation vary greatly not only among plant species but also among cultivars within the same species. In order to better understand the mechanisms of Cd absorption, transportation and distribution, we examined the differences of Cd absorption, translocation, subcellular distribution and chemical forms between L19, a Cd-tolerant genotype, and H4, a Cd-sensitive genotype, using kinetic analysis and soil culture experiment. Kinetic assays showed that the different Cd concentrations between the two cultivars might be ascribed to root absorption and translocation from root to shoot. The investigations of subcellular distribution and chemical forms verified that Cd concentrations of all subcellular fractions in H4 were all higher than in L19. Meanwhile, most of the Cd was associated with cell walls in the root of H4, but the Cd in the root of L19 and leaf of the two cultivars was mainly stored in soluble fraction, which could be one possible mechanism of tolerance to Cd toxicity. In addition, Cd fractions extracted by 1M NaCl and 2% HAC were predominant in root and leaf of both cultivars and the concentrations and proportions extracted by water and 80% ethanol in root and 1M NaCl in leaf were all higher in H4 than in L19. These results indicate that the Cd in H4 is more active than L19, which could be responsible for the sensitivity of H4 to Cd damage., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Molybdenum (Mo) has been reported to alleviate drought stress by enhancing antioxidant defense in plants, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Here, we hypothesized that Mo mediates nitric oxide (NO)-induced antioxidant defense through Mo-enzymes, particularly by nitrate reductase (NR) in wheat under drought stress. The 30-day-old wheat seedlings cultivated in -Mo (0 μM Mo) and +Mo (1 μM Mo) Hoagland solutions were detached and then pretreated with Mo-enzyme inhibitors, NO scavengers, NO donors or their combinations according to demands of complementary experiment under 10% polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG)-stimulated drought stress (PSD). Mo supplementation increased the activities and transcripts of antioxidant enzymes, decreased H 2 O 2 and MDA contents, and elevated NO production, implying that Mo-induced antioxidant defense may be related to NO signal. Complementary experiment showed that NO production was induced by Mo, while suppressed by Mo-enzyme inhibitors and NO scavengers, but restored by NO donors, suggesting that Mo-induced increase of NO production may be due to the regulation by Mo-enzymes. Further experiment indicated that the increased activities and transcripts of antioxidant enzymes induced by Mo were suppressed by Mo-enzyme inhibitors and NO scavengers, and NO donors could eliminate their suppressing effects. Moreover, Mo application increased NR activity and inhibitors of Mo-enzymes inhibited NR activity in wheat leaves under PSD, suggesting that NR might involve in the regulation of Mo-induced NO production. These results clearly indicate that NO mediates Mo-induced antioxidant defense at least partially through the regulation of NR.

Many factors are associated with the willingness of ESRD patients to receive a kidney transplant. No data are available for patients in China. The study aim was to describe the attitudes toward transplantation in a cohort of patients at a single dialysis center in China.A study questionnaire derived from previously published literature was completed by 239 hemodialysis outpatients. Factors associated with willingness to receive a transplant were identified by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses.The respondents were primarily men 50.7 ± 15.1 years of age; 46.4% were willing to receive a transplant. Younger age (OR = 0.928, 95% CI: 0.898-0.959), good self-reported health (OR = 0.203, 95% CI: 0.081-0.51), and awareness of the benefits of transplantation (OR = 0.195, 95% CI: 0.083-0.456) were less likely to deny the transplant. Patients ≤60 years of age were about 13 times more likely to favor transplantation than those >60 years of age (OR = 12.99, 95% CI: 3.75-45.45). For every 10 years under 60, participants were 2.16 times more willing to receive a kidney transplant (OR = 2.16, 95% CI: 1.53-3.02). Older patients were also less likely to be referred for evaluation (OR = 0.955, 95% CI: 0.923-0.989, P = .009).The percentage of ESRD patients in China, particularly older patients, who are willing to accept a transplant, is relatively low. A better understanding of the benefits of transplantation is needed to increase their acceptance.

Due to the similarities of molybdenum (Mo) with tungsten (W) in the physical structure and chemical properties, studies involving the two elements have mainly examined their competitive relationships. The objectives of this study were to assess the effects of equimolar W on Mo accumulation, transport and subcellular distribution in oilseed rape at two Mo levels with four treatments: Mo 1 (1μmol/L Mo, Low Mo), Mo 1 +W 1 (1μmol/L Mo+1μmol/LW, Low Mo with Low W), Mo 200 (200μmol/L Mo, High Mo) and Mo 200 +W 200 (200μmol/L Mo+200μmol/L Mo, High Mo with high W). The fresh weight and root growth were inhibited by equimolar W at both low and high Mo levels. The Mo concentration and accumulation in root was increased by equimolar W at the low Mo level, but that in the root and shoot was decreased at the high Mo level. Additionally, equimolar W increased the Mo concentrations of xylem and phloem sap at low Mo level, but decreased that of xylem and increased that of phloem sap at the high Mo level. Furthermore, equimolar W decreased the expression of BnMOT1 in roots and leaves at the low Mo level, and only decreased its expression in leaves at the high Mo level. The expression of BnMOT2 was also decreased in root for equimolar W compared with the low Mo level, but increased compared with high Mo level. Moreover, equimolar W increased the proportion of Mo in cell wall fraction in root and that of soluble fraction in leaves when compared with the low Mo level. The results suggest that cell wall and soluble fractions might be responsible for the adaptation of oilseed rape to W stress., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The effects of increasing Cd additions on plant growth and Cd fractionation and enzyme activities in rhizosphere soil of two radish cultivars were investigated. The results showed that Cd concentrations in shoot and root of cultivar 4 were both higher than for cultivar 19 under different Cd levels. Compared with cultivar 19, the total, shoot and root biomasses of cultivar 4 were significantly reduced with increasing Cd levels. A decrease in soil pH was observed for cultivar 4. The exchangeable Cd concentration of soil from cultivar 4 was significantly higher than for soil from cultivar 19, while the carbonate-bound Cd concentration of soil from cultivar 4 was significantly lower than for cultivar 19. Enzyme activities, especially acid phosphatase activity, were more susceptible to Cd in soil from cultivar 4. These results indicated that cultivar 19 exhibits a stronger ability to adapt to Cd stress than cultivar 4.

An incubation experiment was conducted to investigate the response of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB), ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA), and the nitrification rate to the contamination of Cu, Zn, and Cd in two New Zealand grassland soils. The soils spiked with different concentrations of Cu (20 and 50 mg kg -1 ), Zn (20 and 50 mg kg -1 ), and Cd (2 and 10 mg kg -1 ) were incubated for 14 days and then treated with 500 mg kg -1 urine-N before continuing incubation for a total of 115 days. Soils were sampled at intervals throughout the incubation. The nitrification rate in soils at each sampling period was determined, and the abundance of AOB and AOA was measured by real-time quantification polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay of the amoA gene copy numbers. The results revealed that moderate trace metal stress did not significantly affect the abundance of AOB and AOA in the two soils, probably due to the high organic matter content of the soils which would have reduced the toxic effect of the metals. Nitrification rates were much greater and the observable nitrification period was much shorter in the dairy farm (DF) soil, in which the AOB and AOA abundances were greater than those of the mixed cropping farm (MF) soil. AOB were shown to grow under high nitrogen conditions, whereas AOA were shown to grow under low N environments, with different metal concentrations. Therefore, nitrogen status rather than metal applications was the main determining factor for AOB and AOA growth in the two soils studied.

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a rare neurologic side effect of calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) with poorly understood clinical features.We report cases of 2 patients with PRES developing after kidney transplantation and summarize PRES clinical features through a literature review.The 1st case was a 28-year-old man who received a kidney transplant from a deceased donor. Initial immunosuppressive therapy consisted of tacrolimus/mycophenolate mofetil/prednisolone. He developed headache and blurred vision with visual field loss15 days after transplantation and generalized seizures 4 days later. The 2nd case was a 34-year-old man who received a living kidney transplant. His initial immunosuppressive therapy comprised tacrolimus/mycophenolate mofetil/prednisolone. Two months after transplantation, he developed seizures. Both patients were diagnosed with PRES based on neurological symptoms and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings; they recovered after switching from tacrolimus to either a cyclosporine or a lower tacrolimus dose. CNI-associated PRES is an acute neurological syndrome with seizures, encephalopathy, visual abnormalities, headache, focal neurological deficits, and nausea/vomiting. It is always accompanied by hypertension. A fluid-attenuated inversion recovery signal MRI scan typically shows reversible subcortical white matter changes in the posterior cerebral hemisphere that usually occur within the 1st month after transplantation. CNI-associated PRES has a generally favorable prognosis with early diagnosis and prompt treatment including alternating or discontinuing CNIs and blood pressure control.CNI-associated PRES should be considered in patients exhibiting acute neurological symptoms after transplantation. Early diagnosis and immediate treatment are critical for a favorable prognosis., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) with high tolerance to cadmium (Cd) may be used in the phytoremediation of Cd-contaminated fields. However, the mechanisms responsible for Cd accumulation and tolerance in oilseed rape are still poorly understood. Here, we investigated the physiological and molecular processes involved in Cd tolerance of two oilseed rape cultivars with different Cd accumulation abilities. The total Cd accumulation in cultivar L351 was higher than cultivar L338, particularly with increasing concentrations of Cd exposure. L338 was a more pronounced Cd-sensitive cultivar than L351, while higher activities of antioxidant enzymes (CAT, APX, GR, DHAR) as well as higher contents of GSH and AsA were all observed in L351 under Cd treatments, especially at high levels. No differences were found in SOD activities between the two cultivars under the same Cd treatments, suggesting that SOD was not the key factor in relation to the differences of Cd tolerance and accumulation between them. Gene expression levels of BnFe-SOD, BnCAT, BnAPX, BcGR and BoDHAR in roots of L351 were relatively higher than that in L338 under Cd exposure as well as BnCAT and BcGR in leaves. It is concluded that antioxidant enzymes and the ascorbate-glutathione cycle play important roles in oilseed rape Cd accumulation and tolerance., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic metal which harms human health through food chains. The mechanisms underlying Cd accumulation in oilseed rape are still poorly understood. Here, we investigated the physiological and genetic processes involved in Cd uptake and transport of two oilseed rape cultivars (Brassica napus). L351 accumulates more Cd in shoots but less in roots than L338. A scanning ion-selective electrode technique (SIET) and uptake kinetics of Cd showed that roots were not responsible for the different Cd accumulation in shoots since L351 showed a lower Cd uptake ability. However, concentration-dependent and time-dependent dynamics of Cd transport by xylem showed L351 exhibited a superordinate capacity of Cd translocation to shoots. Additionally, the Cd concentrations of shoots and xylem sap showed a great correlation in both cultivars. Furthermore, gene expression levels related to Cd uptake by roots (IRT1) and Cd transport by xylem (HMA2 and HMA4) were consistent with the tendencies of Cd absorption and transport at the physiological level respectively. In other words, L351 had stronger gene expression for Cd transport but lower for Cd uptake. Overall, results revealed that the process of Cd translocation to shoots is a determinative factor for Cd accumulation in shoots, both at physiological and genetic levels., (Crown Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Molybdenum (Mo), as an essential trace element in plants, plays an essential role in abiotic stress tolerance of plants. To obtain a better understanding of drought tolerance enhanced by Mo, a hydroponic trial was conducted to investigate the effects of Mo on water utilization, antioxidant enzymes, non-enzymatic antioxidants, and osmotic-adjustment products in the Mo-efficient '97003' and Mo-inefficient '97014' under PEG simulated drought stress. Our results indicate that Mo application significantly enhanced Pn, chlorophyll, dry matter, grain yield, biomass, RWC and WUE and decreased Tr, Gs and water loss of wheat under drought stress, suggesting that Mo application improved the water utilization capacity in wheat. The activities of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase and the contents of non-enzymatic antioxidants content such as ascorbic acid, reduced glutathione, carotenoid were significantly increased and malonaldehyde contents were decreased by Mo application under PEG simulated drought stress, suggesting that Mo application enhanced the ability of scavenging active oxygen species. The osmotic-adjustment products such as soluble protein, proline and soluble sugar were also increased by Mo application under PEG simulated drought stress, indicating that Mo improved the osmotic adjustment ability in wheat. It is hypothesized that Mo application might improve the drought tolerance of wheat by enhancing water utilization capability and the abilities of antioxidative defense and osmotic adjustment. Similarities and differences between the Mo-efficient and Mo-inefficient cultivars wheat in response to Mo under drought stress are discussed., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Molybdenum (Mo) is an essential trace element for higher plants. Winter wheat cultivar 97003 has a higher Mo efficiency than 97014 under Mo-deficiency stress. Mo efficiency is related to Mo uptake, transfer and assimilation in plants. Several genes are involved in regulating Mo uptake, transfer and assimilation in plants. To obtain a better understanding of the aforementioned difference in Mo uptake, we have conducted a hydroponic trail to investigate the expression of genes related to Mo uptake, transfer and assimilation in the above two cultivars. The results indicate a closed relationship between Mo uptake and TaSultr5.1, TaSultr5.2 and TaCnx1 expression, according to a stepwise regression analysis of the time course of Mo uptake in the two cultivars. Meanwhile, expression of TaSultr5.2 in roots also showed a positive relationship with Mo uptake rates. 97003 had stronger Mo uptake than 97014 at low Mo-application rates (less than 1 μmol Mo L(-1)) due to the higher expression of TaSultr5.2, TaSultr5.1 and TaCnx1 in roots. On the contrary, Mo uptake of 97003 was weaker than 97014 at high Mo application rates (ranging from 5 to 20 μmol Mo L(-1)), which was related to significant down-regulation of TaSultr5.2 and TaCnx1 genes in roots of 97003 compared to 97014. Therefore, we speculated that the differential-expression intensities of TaSultr5.2, TaSultr5.1 and TaCnx1 could be the cause of the difference in Mo uptake between the two winter wheat cultivars at low and high Mo application levels., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

A hydroponic trial was conducted to investigate genotypic differences in nitrate uptake, translocation and assimilation between low nitrate accumulator L18 and high accumulator H96 of Chinese cabbage [Brassica campestris L. ssp. Chinensis (L.)]. The results suggested that H96 could uptake more nitrate than L18 in the root but lower transport inside leaf cells and assimilation in the leaf. It was showed that root morphology parameters - length, surface area and volume of H96 were 18.0%, 31.6% and 46.5% higher than L18. Nitrate transporters NRT1.1 and NRT2.1 transcription levels were 41.6% and 269.6% higher than those of L18 respectively. NRT1.1 and NRT2.1 expression amount in leaf blade of two cultivars were opposite to in the root, L18 NRT1.1 and NRT2.1 expressions were 279.2% and 80.0% higher than H96. In addition, nitrate assimilation capacity of L18 was significantly higher than H96 in leaf. It was showed that Nitrate Reductase (NR; EC 1.7.1.1) activity and NIA expression level of L18 leaf were 234 0.4% and 105.4% higher than those of H96, Glutamine Synthetase (GS; EC 6.3.1.2) activity, Gln1 and Gln2 expression levels in the leaf blade of L18 were 43.9%, 331.5% and 124.8% higher than those of H96 respectively. Nitrate assimilation products-Glu, total amino acid, soluble protein content in the leaf of L18 were all significantly higher than those of H96. The results above suggested that nitrate accumulation differences were due to differential capacities to uptake, mechanisms for nitrate transport in leaves and assimilate nitrate. Comparing contribution of three aspects in nitrate accumulation, translocation and assimilation were contributed more in low nitrate concentration in the leaf blade., (Crown Copyright © 2013. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

A hydroponic experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of arsenic (As) stress on growth, nutrition and As uptake, and speciation in shoots and roots of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Winter wheat has high tolerance to As. Most As is accumulated in the roots, and an As concentration of 4,421 mg/kg was observed at a solution concentration of 20 mg/L As. Arsenic concentrations in roots were approximately 40-100 times greater than those in shoots. Arsenic in winter wheat roots and shoots occurred as both As3+ and As5+ species, although As3+ was the main species in winter wheat tissues. Arsenic significantly decreased the biomass of winter wheat shoots and roots and affected absorption and transport of micro- and macro-elements in winter wheat tissue. Arsenic treatment significantly increased the concentrations of total Magnesium (Mg) and calcium (Ca) in shoots and enhanced the transport of Mg and Ca from roots to shoots but decreased potassium (K), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) concentrations in both shoots and roots, particularly the concentration of P. Concentrations of iron, copper, and zinc in winter wheat shoots were negatively related to As rates, with correlation coefficients (R2) of 0.93, 0.94, and 0.97, respectively.

Pot culture experiments were conducted to study the effect of industrial and sewage sludge on some enzyme activities and heavy metal concentrations in alluvial soil. The results showed that the heavy metals in both industrial and sewage sludge were mainly non-exchangeable, and those in sewage sludge had a lower concentration but a higher bio-availability than in industrial sludge. The application of sludge could increase the activities of soil urease, polyphenol oxidase and neutral phosphatase, and the polyphenol oxidase and neutral phosphatase activities showed a reverse relationship with the concentrations of soil exchangeable Zn and Cu. Soil polyphenol oxidase and catalase activities could be used to indicate the Zn pollution in soil.