A heteropolysaccharide from Rhodiola rosea L.:preparation,purification and anti-tumor activities in H22-bearing mice

Numerous polysaccharides isolated from plants have been used to augment traditional drugs in the treatment of cancer.In order to explore the influence to hepatocellular carcinoma,a novel cold water-soluble polysaccharide was separated from Rhodiola rosea L.root(RLP)and then its structure and anti-cancer activities were tested.The chemical compositions and high performance gel permeation chromatography(HPGPC)results indicated that RLP was an acid heteropolysaccharide with the molecular weight of about1.15×10~6 Da.Furthermore,ion chromatography(IC),Fourier transform infrared(FT-IR)and nuclear magnetic resoance(NMR)further indicated that RLP was main composed of→2,4)-α-Rha(1→,→5)-α-L-Araf-(1→,α-D-Glu,→6)-β-D-Galp-(1→,β-D-Man and→4)-α-GalpA-(1→.In vivo antitumor activities of RLP were carried out by using H22 tumor-bearing mice model.The results shown that RLP(100 and 300 mg/kg)could inhibit tumor growth of H22 cells from 23.59%to 45.52%and protect thymuses and spleen without damage.In addition,according to cell cycle,AV-FITC/PI and JC-1,RLP could induce dose-dependent apopto sis of H22 cells via S phase arrested which was through a mitochondrial related pathway.Our data indicated that RLP has a broader application prospect in anti-tumor preparations.

Anti-tumor activities of macromolecular fractions of fresh gecko vivo and their induction of Bel-7402 cell differentiation

Objective:To investigate the anti-tumor effect of macromolecular fractions of fresh gecko (M-AG) in vivo and their differentiation-inducing activity in Bel-7402 cells in vitro.Methods:An H22 hepatocarcinoma-bearing mouse model was used to evaluate the anti-tumor activity of M-AG samples.The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay was applied to analyze cell viability.Cell morphology was observed by phase contrast microscopy.The quantity of the alpha-fetoprotein was detected by a radioimmunoassay.Chromatometry was used to assay the albumin quantity.Activities of alkaline phosphatase and γ-glutamyl trans-peptidase were measured by biochemical methods.Finally,western blotting was applied to assess proteins in the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway.Results:Macromolecular fractions of fresh gecko exerted a significant anti-tumor effect in mice.The inhibition rate of tumor growth was 63% in the moderate M-AG dose group.Cells treated with M-AG displayed a differentiated state.The treatment lowered alphafetoprotein secretion and significantly decreased the activities of γ-glutamyl trans-peptidase and alkaline phosphatase in Bel-7402 cells.In contrast,M-AG increased the amount of albumin in the cell culture medium.All biochemical indices demonstrated that M-AG induced Bel7402 cell differentiation.Western blotting showed no changes in the quantities of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2,p38MAPK,or c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase 1/2.However,M-AG significantly activated the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 in a dose-dependent manner.In addition,M-AG had no significant influence on the expression of nuclear factor-kappa B.Conclusion:Macromolecular fractions of fresh gecko has an anti-tumor activity in H22 hepatocarcinoma-bearing mice in vivo and inhibits Bel-7402 cell proliferation in vitro by inducing cell differentiation related to activation of ERK1/2.

Synthesis and Anti-Tumor Activities of Fluoride-Containing Gossypol Derivatives Compounds

We report herein the design and synthesis of a series of novel fluoride-containing gossypol derivatives by the condensation reaction of gossypol with fluoride-containing aromatic amine. These fluoride-containing gossypol derivatives were characterized by IR, 1H-NMR and high resolution mass spectral data, then screened as antitumor agents against three human cancer cell lines (HeLa, A-549 and BGC-823) and a normal cell line (VEC) in vitro by using MTT cell proliferation assays. Results revealed that compounds 3a, 3c and 3f exhibited superior anticancer activity against HeLa, compounds 3b,3c, 3e and 3f exhibited superior anticancer activity against A-549, compounds 3b, 3c and 3f exhibited superior anticancer activity against BGC-823 compared to gossypol. In particular, fluorine substituent at the para positions of the phenyl ring showed remarkable inhibitory effects on HeLa?(3c: IC50 = 14.2 μM, 3f:?IC50 = 8.34 μM), A-549(3c: IC50 = 6.32 μM, 3f: IC50 = 9.76 μM) and BGC-823 cells?(3c: IC50 = 8.62 μM, 3f: IC50 = 4.36 μM). Furthermore, all the compounds 3a-3f exhibited lessened cytotoxicity against VEC compared to gossypol.

Anti-tumor Activities of Novel Estrogen Compound 17aα-D-Homo-Ethynylestradiol-3-Acetate

Objective： To study the anti-tumor activities of novel estrogen compound 17a α-D-homo-ethynylestradiol-3-acetate in vitro and in vivo. Methods： In vitro anti-tumor activity was assayed in adenoma cells A549 and human liver cancer cells Bel-7402 using MTT method, and half-inhibitory concentration （IC50） were observed. In vivo the pulmonary adenoma LA795 cells was selected and the conventional assay method of anti-tumor activity was employed. 5, 7.5, 10 mg/kg of 17a α-D-homo-ethynylestradiol-3-acetate was administered by i.p., and tumor-inhibitory rate, thymus and spleen indexes, bone marrow cells （BMC） were observed. Results： IC50 of 17a α-D-homo-ethynylestradiol-3-acetate in vitro for A549 and Bel-7402 cells were 12.28 μg/ml and 17.79 μg/ml, respectively. In vivo the highest tumor-inhibitory rates for LA795 was 60.0% （P〈0.01）. The drug had hardly any side-effect in spleen indexes, thymus indexes, and BMC compared with control mice. Nevertheless, compared with the positive control drug cyclophosphamide （CY）, thymus and spleen indexes, BMC showed obvious differences （P〈0.01）. Conclusion： 17a α-D-homo-ethynylestradiol-3-acetate has obvious anti-tumor activities in vitro and in vivo with low side-effect, thus worth further investigation.

Cranberry cultivated in China:UPLC-Q-TOF-MS analysis of its acidic ethanol extract and assessment of its anti-bacterial and anti-tumor activities in vitro

Cranberry,the fruit of Vaccinium macrocarpon Aiton,is becoming popular all over the world,due to its pleasant taste,nutraceutical value and biological activities.For a long time,98%of its yield has been from America.Since being introduced to China as an import in recent decades,cranberry has become a rapid success in the food industry even with the high transportation cost.Recently,V.macrocarpon was cultivated in the Northeast of China,and the area of cultivation has increased dramatically.Therefore,it is important to systematically determine the useful compounds and their activity in this“Made-in-China”cranberry.In the present study,the content of total phenolics,anthocyanins,proanthocyanidins,sugars and organic acids was determined.Our results demonstrated that domestic cranberry is a rich source of phenolics,anthocyanins,proanthocyanidins,sugars and organic acids.Analysis of the chemical composition of an acidic ethanol extract by UPLC-QTOF-MS identified 21 compounds as well as the contents determination of catechin and cyanidin-3-O-glucoside using RPHPLC.Furthermore,cranberry extract was tested for its anti-bacterial activity against five clinically important pathogens,as well as its inhibitory effect on the proliferation and migration of cancer cells in vitro.Our results demonstrated that cranberry produced in Chinese cultivation areas is a rich source of bioactive compounds and exhibited in vitro anti-microbial and anti-tumor activities.Our work provides essential information about the quality of domestic cranberry and facilitates the development of related industries.

2024 Adult Compendium of Physical Activities:A third update of the energy costs of human activities

Background:The Compendium of Physical Activities was published in 1993 to improve the comparability of energy expenditure values assigned to self-reported physical activity(PA)across studies.The original version was updated in 2000,and again in 2011,and has been widely used to support PA research,practice,and public health guidelines.Methods:This 2024 update was tailored for adults 19-59 years of age by removing data from those≥60 years.Using a systematic review and supplementary searches,we identified new activities and their associated measured metabolic equivalent(MET)values(using indirect calorimetry)published since 2011.We replaced estimated METs with measured values when possible.Results:We screened 32,173 abstracts and 1507 full-text papers and extracted 2356 PA energy expenditure values from 701 papers.We added303 new PAs and adjusted 176 existing MET values and descriptions to reflect the addition of new data and removal of METs for older adults.We added a Major Heading(Video Games).The 2024 Adult Compendium includes 1114 PAs(912 with measured and 202 with estimated values)across 22 Major Headings.Conclusion:This comprehensive update and refinement led to the creation of The 2024 Adult Compendium,which has utility across research,public health,education,and healthcare domains,as well as in the development of consumer health technologies.The new website with the complete lists of PAs and supporting resources is available at https://pacompendium.com.

A brief history of the Compendium of Physical Activities

The Compendium of Physical Activities(Compendium)was developed to address consistent assignment of physical activity(PA)intensity values used in PA epidemiology research of the association between PA and health outcomes.1The known protective effects of PA on incident health outcomes traces to the mid-1900s,with over 50 studies examining coronary heart disease(CHD)as the outcome of interest.

Screening for Anti-tumor Activity of Fractions from Buddleja officinalis Maxim

[Objectives]The anti-tumor activity of fractions from Buddleja officinalis Maxim.by petroleum ether,ethyl acetate,n-butanol and water solvent was studied.[Methods]The ethanol extract from B.officinalis Maxim.was extracted and then concentrated with petroleum ether,ethyl acetate,n-butanol and water,respectively,and the extracts were obtained.The inhibitory effects of the four different fractions on the growth of three tumor cell lines in vitro were detected by CCK-8 method,and the median inhibitory concentration(IC 50 value)was calculated.[Results]The four fractions inhibited the growth of the three tumor cell lines in vitro,among which the n-butanol fraction had the best anti-tumor activity.The IC 50 values of the n-butanol fraction on human gastric cancer(SGC-7901),human breast cancer(MCF-7)and human liver cancer(BEL-7404)cell lines were 0.08,1.58 and 0.12 mg/mL,respectively.[Conclusions]Petroleum ether,ethyl acetate,n-butanol and water fractions from the ethanol extract of B.officinalis Maxim.had certain anti-tumor effects,and the n-butanol fraction had the best anti-tumor activity.

Semisynthetic Derivatives of Sissotrin Isolated from Trifolium baccarinii Chiov. (Fabaceae) and Evaluation of Their Antibacterial Activities

Starting from sissotrin (1), a natural isoflavonoid isolated from Trifolium baccarinii (Fabaceae), one new semisynthetic derivative, 6-nitrobiochanin A (1b) and two known derivatives, 8-nitrobiochanin A (1a) and 2",3",4",6"-tetraacetylsissotrin (1c) have been obtained after performing nitration and acetylation reactions. Their structures were assigned after interpretation of their spectrometric (HR-ESI-MS) and spectroscopic (NMR 1D and 2D) data and by comparison with those reported in the literature. The substrate as well as the semisynthetic derivatives were evaluated for their antibacterial activities against six strains. The results reveal that they are inactive or weakly active on the strains tested with the exception of 8-nitrobiochanin A (1a) which showed moderate activity (MIC = 62.5 μg∙mL−1) on Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 43300.

Effect of simulated gastrointestinal digestion on antioxidant,and anti-inflammatory activities of bioactive peptides generated in sausages fermented with Staphylococcus simulans QB7

Dry-fermented sausages are a good source of bioactive peptides,whose stability against gastrointestinal(GI)digestion determines their bioaccessibility.This study focused on evaluating the effect of peptide extracts from sausages fermented with Staphylococcus simulans QB7 during in vitro simulated GI digestion,including peptide profiles and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.Peptides present in sausages were degraded during digestion,with molecular weight reduced from>12 kDa to<1.5 kDa.Besides,the content of amino acids increased from 381.15 to 527.07 mg/g,especially tyrosine being found only after GI digestion.The anti-inflammatory activities were increased after GI digestion,however,the changes in antioxidant activities were the opposite.A total number of 255,252 and 386 peptide sequences were identified in undigested,peptic-digested and GI-digested samples,respectively.PeptideRanker,BIOPEP-UWM and admetSAR were used to further predict the functional properties and intestinal absorption of the identified peptide sequences from GI digestion.Finally,18 peptides were discovered to possess either antioxidant or anti-inflammatory capacities.

Precipitation and anthropogenic activities regulate the changes of NDVI in Zhegucuo Valley on the southern Tibetan Plateau

Whether climate change or anthropogenic activities play a more pivotal role in regulating vegetation growth on the Tibetan Plateau is still controversial.A better understanding on grassland changes at a fine scale may provide important guidance for local government policy and grassland management.Using two of the most reliable satellite NDVI products(MODIS NDVI and SPOT NDVI),we evaluated the dynamic of grasslands in the Zhegucuo valley on the southern Tibetan Plateau from 2000 to 2020,and analyzed its driving factors and relative influences of climate change and anthropogenic activities.Here,the key indicators of climate change were assumed to be precipitation and temperature.The main results were:(1)the grassland NDVI in Zhegucuo valley did not reflect a significant temporal change during the last 21 years.The variation of precipitation during the early growing season(GSP)resembled that of NDVI,and the GSP was positively correlated with NDVI.At the pixel level,the partial correlation analysis showed that 37.79%of the pixels depicted a positive relationship between GSP and NDVI,while 11.32%of the pixels showed a negative relationship between temperature during the early growing season(GST)and NDVI.(2)In view of the spatial distribution,the areas mainly controlled by GSP were generally distributed in the southern part,while those affected by GST stood in the eastern part,mainly around the Zhegucuo lake where most population in Cuomei County settled down.(3)Decreasing NDVI trends were mainly occurred in alpine steppe at lower elevations rather than alpine meadow at higher elevations.(4)The residual trend(RESTREND)analysis further indicated that the anthropogenic activities played a more pivotal role in regulating the annual changes of NDVI rather than climate factors in this area.Future studies should pay more attention on climate extremes rather than the simple temporal trends.Also,the influence of human activities on alpine grassland needs to be accessed and fully considered in future sustainable management.

Quantification of Total Phenols, Total Flavonoids, Total Anthocyanins and Evaluation of Antioxidant and Antiradical Activities of Detarium Senegalense Extracts from Chad

The aim of the present work is to assess the value of Detarium Senegalense by determining the content of total phenols, total flavonoids and total anthocyanins, and by evaluating the free radical scavenging activity of Detarium Senegalense extracts. For this purpose, sequential extraction using solvents of increasing polarity was essential. The various extracts obtained underwent phytochemical and biochemical analyses. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, polyphenols, anthocyanins and steroids/terpenes. Quantitative analysis of total polyphenols, total flavonoids and total anthocyanins yielded the following results: total flavonoids (0.803 ± 0029 mg EQ/100g P for acetone extract of roots and 0.871 ± 0.401 mg EQ/100g P for methanol extract of leaves);total polyphenols (23.298 ± 12.68 mg EAG/100g P for acetone extract of roots and 24.69 ± 0.49 401 mg EAG/100g P for methanol extract of leaves);total monomeric anthocyanins (44.697 ± 0.939 mg EC3G/100g P and 16.699 ± 0.193 mg EC3G/100g P respectively for acetone and methanol extracts of stem bark). DPPH free radical scavenging activity was 1.674 ± 0.023 mg/mL for the acetone extract and 0.934 ± 0.24 mg/mL for the methanol extract of roots. .

Impacts of Human Activities and Season on Species Diversity and Abundance of Butterflies in Mpanga Kipengere Game Reserve and Surrounding Farmlands, Tanzania

Maintaining natural habitats is crucial for the preservation of insects and other species that indicate environmental changes. However, the Mpanga/Kipengere Game Reserve and its surrounding farmlands are facing disturbance due to human activities, which is putting many wildlife species, particularly larger mammals, at risk. To determine the impact of human activities on butterfly species diversity and abundance in the reserve and its surrounding areas, we conducted a study from November 2021 to October 2023. We collected butterfly data using transect walks and baited traps in two habitat types. Our study yielded 2799 butterfly Individuals ranging in 124 species divided into five families habitat, season, and anthropogenic factors are significant environmental variables influencing species diversity and abundance of butterflies. Therefore, it’s important to protect habitat and dry-season water for the conservation of invertebrates such as butterflies. Our study findings provide essential information for ecological monitoring and future assessment of the Mpanga/Kipengere Game Reserve ecosystem health.

Review of Two Years of Surgical Activities of the General Surgery Department of the Reference Health Center of Commune I of Bamako Mali

The objectives of this work were to evaluate the surgical activities carried out in the general surgery department of the Reference Health Center of Commune I of Bamako, to describe the sociodemographic characteristics of the operated patients, to determine the main pathologies encountered and to evaluate qualitatively the result of the treatment. In order to improve performance, and the quality of care, and to identify common pathologies in the surgical department, we undertook a retrospective study on surgical activities from January 2009 to December 2010. At the end of this study, out of 474 men and 187 women (equal sex ratio 2.53);we were able to determine the frequency of surgical pathologies. Farmers, housewives and pupils/students were the most represented with 25.9% respectively;20% and 13.3%. The most frequently observed pathologies were wall hernia (44.8%), prostate adenoma (12%) and acute appendicitis (10.5%). The average length of hospitalization was 3.43 days. Infectious complications affected 25 patients (3.8% of cases) and a death rate of 0.45% (i.e. 3 patients). The average cost of care was 53,500 FCFA. Indeed, the reality of surgical practice in health centers was not the same because of the level of skills of practicing surgeons.

Can Physical Activities Suppress Negative Impact of Stress on the Mental Health of Adolescents?

Early adolescence is a crucial developmental phase marked by significant physical,cognitive,and socioemotional changes.While stress is widely recognized as a notable risk factor during this period,not all individuals experiencing stress concurrently manifest compromised mental health.The association between stress and mental health outcomes is influenced by individual differences in characteristics and coping strategies.This study’s purpose was to assess the negative impact of stress on mental health,specifically focusing on symptoms of anxiety,depression,and psychological distress.Additionally,the research investigates whether different levels of physical activity can suppress the negative effects of stress.A total of 212 upper elementary school students(52.8%girls and 47.2%boys)from rural and urban areas voluntarily participated in the research.Participants online self-assessed on several measures:The Young Person’s CORE,Children’s Anxiety Scale,Children’s Depression Inventory,School Stress Intensity Scale for Students,and Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children.The results revealed a significant increase in adolescents experiencing impaired mental health.More than two-thirds(67.5%)of students self-assessed significant symptoms of depression,additionally,57.5%of them had significant symptoms of psychological distress,and 27.8%had significant symptoms of anxiety.Stress demonstrated a significant direct negative effect,leading to increased symptoms of anxiety(t=5.35,p=0.00)and psychological distress(t=4.29,p=0.00);however,there was no significant influence on depression(t=1.33,p=0.18)).Regarding regular physical activity,a significant moderating effect was identified,effectively suppressing the negative impact of stress on anxiety(F=3.88(2,206);p=0.02).In contrast,no significant moderation effect of physical activity was found for symptoms of depression(F=1.45(2,206);p=0.24)and psychological distress(F=1.14(2,206);p=0.32),highlighting a complex and intricate association between physical activity and various mental health outcomes.In conclusion,the practical implications of this study emphasize the importance of creating environments that reduce stressors for adolescents and promote regular physical activity as a means of fostering positive mental health outcomes.

Gross Alpha and Beta Activities and Related Lifetime Risks Assessment Due to Ingestion of Drinking Water from Different Sources in the District of Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire

Drinking good quality water is essential for better health. It is therefore essential to assess the radiological quality of all water consumed in the District of Abidjan in order to prevent related hazards. Thus, the objective of this study was to assess the risk of cancer due to the ingestion of alpha and beta emitting radionuclides in the different types of water consumed in the region. A total of 63 water samples with 43 tap water samples, 5 bottled mineral water and 15 sachet water samples was collected and taken to GAEC laboratory for analysis. The low background Gas-less Automatic Alpha/Beta counting system (Canberra iMaticTM) was used to determine alpha and beta activity concentrations. Activity concentrations of both gross alpha and gross beta obtained in water sample were respectively lower than the WHO recommended limits of 0.1 Bq/l and 1 Bq/l. Also, the annual effective dose and total equivalent effective dose found in mineral bottled water samples were higher than in other types of water. The assessment of radiological lifetime risk has shown values of cancer risk due to ingestion alpha and beta emitters lower than recommended limit. These results indicate that there is no health hazard associated to consumption of water in the District of Abidjan.

Evaluating the Impacts of Human Activities on Diversity, Abundance, and Distribution of Large Mammals in Nimule National Park, South Sudan

Globally, human activities have a significant impact on the diversity, abundance, and distribution of large mammals in Protected Areas (PAs). These disturbances increase human pressure on biodiversity and species habitats, highlighting the need for conservation. This study aimed to assess the abundance and distribution of large mammals in different habitat types within Nimule National Park (NNP) and understand the impacts of human activities on them. Data on the abundance and distribution of large mammals and their respective habitat types were collected through line transect surveys. Human activity signs were observed and recorded along the transect lines. To estimate the impacts of human activities on the diversity, abundance, and distribution of large mammal species, as well as to identify any significant differences between them and their habitat types, the study utilized the Kruskal Wallis test, Polynomial multiple regressions, and diversity indices. The findings from the Shannon-Weiner and Simpson indices indicated that large mammal species were more diverse inside the park (H’ = 1.136;D = 0.570) compared to the buffer zone (H’ = 0.413;D = 0.171), with 85% (443 out of 510 samples) recorded within Nimule National Park. The species abundance showed a semi-balanced status (0.58). The diversity results among different habitat types revealed that large mammals were more diverse and highly distributed in both open woodlands (244) and dense woodlands (192), while riverine vegetation had the lowest diversity (8). Statistical tests demonstrated a highly significant difference at a 99% confidence interval (p-value = 0.01) between habitat types and identified species of large mammals. Additionally, the results highlighted the high abundance of Uganda kob (274), baboons (141), and warthog (57) across most habitat types, accounting for at least 75% of their distribution. The most prevalent human activities observed were cattle footprints (27%) and cattle dung (14%). Human footprints and tree cutting combined accounted for 9%, indicating the practice of livestock grazing, poaching, encroachment, and fuelwood collection by local communities. However, these activities did not appear to significantly impact the diversity, abundance, and distribution of large mammals in Nimule National Park. Therefore, it is crucial to foster shared responsibilities and engage relevant stakeholders in the management and conservation of large wildlife species. Regular community awareness programs should be implemented to cultivate a sense of ownership. Moreover, it is recommended that a comprehensive survey be conducted on the population status of all mammal species in Nimule National Park, including its surrounding Buffer Zone. Monitoring the impact of human activities on their behavior and habitats using satellite images should also be carried out at least every five to ten years.

Effects of desert plant communities on soil enzyme activities and soil organic carbon in the proluvial fan in the eastern foothills of the Helan Mountain in Ningxia,China

It is of great significance to study the effects of desert plants on soil enzyme activities and soil organic carbon(SOC)for maintaining the stability of the desert ecosystem.In this study,we studied the responses of soil enzyme activities and SOC fractions(particulate organic carbon(POC)and mineral-associated organic carbon(MAOC))to five typical desert plant communities(Convolvulus tragacanthoides,Ephedra rhytidosperma,Stipa breviflora,Stipa tianschanica var.gobica,and Salsola laricifolia communities)in the proluvial fan in the eastern foothills of the Helan Mountain in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region,China.We recorded the plant community information mainly including the plant coverage and herb and shrub species,and obtained the aboveground biomass and plant species diversity through sample surveys in late July 2023.Soil samples were also collected at depths of 0–10 cm(topsoil)and 10–20 cm(subsoil)to determine the soil physicochemical properties and enzyme activities.The results showed that the plant coverage and aboveground biomass of S.laricifolia community were significantly higher than those of C.tragacanthoides,S.breviflora,and S.tianschanica var.gobica communities(P<0.05).Soil enzyme activities varied among different plant communities.In the topsoil,the enzyme activities of alkaline phosphatase(ALP)andβ-1,4-glucosidas(βG)were significantly higher in E.rhytidosperma and S.tianschanica var.gobica communities than in other plant communities(P<0.05).The topsoil had higher POC and MAOC contents than the subsoil.Specifically,the content of POC in the topsoil was 18.17%–42.73%higher than that in the subsoil.The structural equation model(SEM)indicated that plant species diversity,soil pH,and soil water content(SWC)were the main factors influencing POC and MAOC.The soil pH inhibited the formation of POC and promoted the formation of MAOC.Conversely,SWC stimulated POC production and hindered MAOC formation.Our study aimed to gain insight into the effects of desert plant communities on soil enzyme activities and SOC fractions,as well as the drivers of SOC fractions in the proluvial fan in the eastern foothills of the Helan Mountain and other desert ecosystems.

Microplastic Can Decrease Enzyme Activities and Microbes in Soil

An in vitro study was conducted to investigate the impacts of microplastics on enzyme activities and soil bacteria. The study included four different treatments of microplastics including a control. Different levels of microplastics were applied to the soil ranging from 0% to 5%, to assess the impacts of microplastics on soil enzymes and subsequent soil bacteria. After 30 days of incubation, the soil samples were collected and growth parameters of bacteria were assessed. Activities of β-glucosidase, urease and dehydrogenase enzymes were also determined. Our results showed that the presence of microplastics in the soil significantly reduced bacterial population together with bacterial strains. The activities of β-glucosidase, urease and dehydrogenase enzymes were reduced significantly to approximately 32%, 40% and 50% in microplastics treated soils respectively. Concentration of microplastic has a role to play towards this direction;the higher the concentration of microplastic the greater is the impact on enzymes and soil bacteria. The present study on the microbial soil health vis-à-vis microplastic application indicates that the material can have negative effect on the soil bacterial population of and thus ultimately may jeopardize soil health and crop production.

Changes in Polyphenols and Antioxidant Activities of Yingshan Yunwu Tea during Digestion in Vitro

[Objectives]To explore the change rule of polyphenol content and antioxidant activity of coarse old leaves of Yingshan Yunwu Tea in the process of human digestion.[Methods]The coarse and old leaves of Yunwu tea in Yingshan,Huanggang,Hubei Province were selected as the research object,and their digestion in vitro was simulated.The total polyphenol content was determined by Folin-phenol reagent colorimetric method,and the DPPH radical scavenging activity and total antioxidant activity were determined.[Results]After simulated gastrointestinal digestion in vitro,the polyphenol content and antioxidant activity of coarse old leaf tea soup showed a downward trend.After gastrointestinal digestion,the polyphenol content in tea infusion separately decreased by 31.8%and 8.5%;the scavenging rate of DPPH free radical was 97%before digestion,decreased to 92%after gastric digestion and 65%after intestinal digestion,which decreased by 5%and 27%,respectively;after gastrointestinal digestion,the total antioxidant capacity of tea soup decreased by 4.7%and 3.1%,respectively.[Conclusions]This study provided a reference for the development and application of coarse old leaves of Yingshan Yunwu tea,and provided a reference for the nutritional value evaluation and comprehensive utilization of coarse old leaves,so as to make the best use of coarse tea leaves and reduce the waste of resources.