Soil CH_4 fluxes response to understory removal and N-fixing species addition in four forest plantations in Southern China

CH4 is one of the most important greenhouse gases, and mainly comes from soils in forest ecosystems. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of forest management practices such as understory removal and N-fixing species （Cassia alata） addition, on soil CH4 fluxes in four forest plantations in southern China. Fluxes of CH4 were measured in Eucalyptus urophylla plantation （B1）, Acacia crassi-carpa plantation （B2）, 10-native-species-mixed plantation （B3）, and 30-native-species-mixed plantation （B4） stands using the static chamber method in Southern China. Four forest management treatments, includ-ing （1） understory removal and replacement with C. alata （UR＋CA）; （2） understory removal only （UR）; （3） C. alata addition only （CA）; and （4） control without any disturbances （CK）, were applied in the four forest plantations. The results showed that plantation types had a significant effect on soil CH4 fluxes. B1 and B2 tended to be CH4 consumers, while B3 and B4 inclined to be CH4 producers. UR decreased CH4 fluxes by providing a more optimal soil temperature and moisture regime for mi-croorganism community and increasing substrate mineralization. How-ever, CA enhanced CH4 fluxes in B1 and B2 for N-fixing function of C. alata while lowered CH4 fluxes in B3 and B4. Soil CH4 flux rate was significantly related to soil temperature and moisture conditions in the top 10-cm soil layer. Furthermore, the quality of substrates, such as Soil Organic Carbon （SOC） and mineral N might also be important driving factors for CH4 fluxes. This study improved our understanding on CH4 fluxes in plantations under different management practices such as UR and CA.

Bioactive Characteristics of Soil Microorganisms in Different-aged Orange (Citrus reticulate) Plantations

[Objective] The paper was to study the bioactive characteristics of soil microorganisms in different-aged orange plantations. [Method] Taking 010 cm deep soil in 3 orange plantations with different planting years in suburb of Yichang City as the test object, the variation rule of total organic carbon, total nitrogen, soil pH value, microbial biomass carbon, microbial biomass nitrogen, number of 3 main types of soil microbial flora, basal respiration, microbial entropy and metabolic entropy in differentaged orange plantations was studied. [Result] With the increase of planting years, the soil acidification of different-aged orange plantations was aggravating; total organic carbon and total nitrogen content increased first and then decreased; the total number of soil microorganism showed a downtrend, of which the number of bacteria decreased significantly, the number of actinomycetes had small changes, the number of fungi increased significantly, and the ratio of bacteria and fungi in soil （B/F） showed a decreasing trend. Soil microbial biomass carbon was fluctuated within a small range, whereas soil microbial biomass nitrogen decreased significantly; soil microbial entropy decreased significantly, and metabolic entropy showed an increasing trend. This indicated that the decrease of soil pH value affected the changes of soil microbial flora, microbial activity, microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen and soil major nutrients, and further affected the normal exertion of soil function. [Conclusion] The study explores soil nutrient characteristics and changes of microbial flora in test area, which will provide scientific basis for further study on orchard soil and orchard management.

Health-related quality of life of 256 recipients after liver transplantation

AIM:To investigate health-related quality of life(HRQoL) and psychological outcomes in 256 adults who had undergone liver transplantation(LT).METHODS:A stratified random sampling method was used in this follow-up multicenter study to select a representative sample of recipients undergoing either living donor liver transplantation(LDLT) or deceased donor liver transplantation(DDLT).HRQoL was measured by using the Chinese version of Medical Outcome Study Short Form-36(SF-36),and psychological outcomes by using the beck anxiety inventory(BAI) and the self-rating depression scale(SDS).Clinical and demographic data were collected from the records of the Chinese Liver Transplant Registry and via questionnaires.RESULTS:A total of 256 patients were sampled,including 66(25.8%) receiving LDLT and 190(74.2%) undergoing DDLT;15(5.9%) recipients had anxiety and four(1.6%) developed severe depression after the operation.Compared with LDLT recipients,DDLT patients had higher scores in general health(60.33 ± 16.97 vs 66.86 ± 18.42,P = 0.012),role-physical(63.64 ± 42.55 vs 74.47 ± 36.46,P = 0.048),roleemotional(61.11 ± 44.37 vs 78.95 ± 34.31,P = 0.001),social functioning(78.60 ± 22.76 vs 88.16 ± 21.85,P = 0.003),vitality(70.30 ± 15.76 vs 75.95 ± 16.40,P = 0.016),mental health(65.88 ± 12.94 vs 71.85 ± 15.45,P = 0.005),physical component summary scale(PCS,60.07 ± 7.36 vs 62.58 ± 6.88,P = 0.013) and mental component summary scale(MCS,52.65 ± 7.66 vs 55.95 ± 10.14,P = 0.016).Recipients > 45 years old at the time of transplant scored higher in vitality(77.33 ± 15.64 vs 72.52 ± 16.66,P = 0.020),mental health(73.64 ± 15.06 vs 68.00 ± 14.65,P = 0.003) and MCS(56.61 ± 10.00 vs 54.05 ± 9.30,P = 0.037) than those aged ≤ 45 years.MCS was poorer in recipients with than in those without complications(52.92 ± 12.21 vs 56.06 ± 8.16,P = 0.017).Regarding MCS(55.10 ± 9.66 vs 50.0 ± 10.0,P < 0.05) and PCS(61.93 ± 7.08 vs 50.0 ± 10.0,P < 0.05),recipients scored better than the Sichuan general and had improved overall QoL compared to patients with chronic diseases.MCS and PCS significantly correlated with scores of the BAI(P < 0.001) and the SDS(P < 0.001).CONCLUSION:Age > 45 years at time of transplant,DDLT,full-time working,no complications,anxiety and depression were possible factors influencing postoperative HRQoL in liver recipients.

Treatment of 482 Cases of Cervical Spondylopathy by Combining Point-injection and Needle-warming via Moxibustion

From January 1993 to December 1996, we treated 482 cases of cervical spondylopathy with a combined method of point-injection and needle-warming via moxibustion. Except for the cases of sympathetic nerve type and spinal cord type, the combined method was superior to traction therapy in the control group and reported as follows.Clinical DataThe Criteria of Diagnosis and Curative Effect in TCM issued by the State Administrative Bureau of TCM and Pharmacy in 1994 was adopted for the enrollment of patients of cervical spondylopathy and the pathological typing. Only the patients who had completed the treatment and with complete records were collected for analysis.

Twenty-eight Cases of Neuritis of Lateral Cutaneous Nerve of Thigh Treated by Acupuncture and Point-Injection

Neuritis of lateral cutaneous nerve of thigh, also called meralgia paresthetica, is a commonly encountered disease in clinical practice. The author has treated 28 cases of meralgia paresthetica since 1996 by acupuncture plus point-injection with satisfactory results. A report follows.Clinical Data Among the 28 cases, 13 were male and 15 female. Their age ranged from 24 to 72 years, most of the patients being 35 to 50 years; the duration of illness varied from one month to ten years and 6 cases were affected on left side, 8 cases on right side and 14 cases on both sides.

2人30天受控生态生保系统物质流调控技术研究

利用受控生态生保系统集成实验平台,进行了2人30天的"人-植物"受控生态系统的大气和水等物质交换和动态平衡调控技术实验,实验过程中对物质流进行研究。试验结果证明系统内大气、水和食物的闭合度分别达到100.0%、84.5%和9.3%,系统能效比达到59.56g/(kW·m2·d);种植面积为13.5 m2的4种共生植物可以满足1人的呼吸需O2量。初步掌握了密闭生态系统中植物与人之间的物质流特性及其动态平衡调控技术,并认识了系统中人、植物和环境三者之间的交互关系,为推动我国长期载人航天受控生态生保技术的深入发展与应用奠定了重要基础。

Quantity of plant leaf area on three major public squares in Kunming City, China

Regressive formulae to calculate the quantity of plant leaf area for 13 species of ornamental plants were set up based on investigation data of 30 species on 3 major public squares (Dongfeng square, Shengli square and Guandu square) in Kun-ming City, China, which were applied to calculate quantities of plant leaf area of these 13 species. The quantities of plant leaf area for the other 17 ornamental plant species on these squares were directly measured, and the total quantity of plant leaf area of each studied square was obtained individually. The results showed that the quantity of plant leaf area on Shengli square with ornamental plants structure composed of arbor tree species, shrub tree species and turf grass was highest among the three squares. It is believed that the design model of multi-storied vertical structure and proper tending of plant community could not only increase the quantity of plant leaf area, but also play an important role in generating ecological and landscaping benefits. Some corresponding suggestions were put forward on the basis of comprehensive analyses on the plant leaf area quantity of the three representative squares in Kunming urban area.

Microbial Distribution in Constructed Wetland of Iris pseudacorus L.

[Objective] The aim was to explore the distributions of main microorganisms in constructed wetland of Iris pseudacorus L.and their function and position in wastewater treatment.[Method]Distributions of main microorganisms in the upstream vertical-flow constructed wetland of Iris pseudacorus was studied by training and observing 4 kinds of microorganisms.[Result]The total number of microorganisms on root surface in unit area was 15.32 times as many as that on filler surfacein,among them bacteria and actinomycete were 17.14 times and 19.84 times as many as those on filler surfacein,respectively.[Conclusion]The distributions of microorganisms are significantly different in different parts of wetland system,obviously on root surface.Bacteria are the main populations of biological wastewater treatment.

Study on the Floating Plant Climatic Adaptation of Undercurrent Constructed Wetland in North China

[Objective] The aim was to choose appropriate floating plant in the wetland in the north China.[Method] Pistia stratiotes L.,Eichhornia crassipes,and Hydrocharis dubia（Bl.） Backer were planted in the aquatic biological pool of constructed subsurface flow wetland system in the reservoir.Through filed investigation,the growth of the three kinds of plants was studied and their adaptability to the northern climate was concluded.[Result] Judging from the growth speed and state of the three kinds of floating plants,the biological characteristic of Pistia stratiotes L.can perfectly adapt the environment in the pool in the reservoir,followed by the Eichhornia crassipes.The growth state of the Hydrocharis dubia（Bl.） Backer was the worst one and it can not adapt to the north environment.[Conclusion] It provided references for the choice of artificial floating plant in the north area.

Research Progress on the Control of Ginseng Gray Mold

This review article describes the research progresses on the control of ginseng gray mold, summarizes domestic and international related experimental re-sults and literature data using chemical fungicide, plant extracts, microbial prepara-tion and antagonistic bacteria to control ginseng gray mold, and final y puts forward the existing problem and future research direction of the treatment and control of ginseng gray mold.

Physiological and Biochemical Response of Artificial Wetland Plant under Electric Field

By measuring wetland plants chlorophyll content,malondialdehyde(MDA) content and superoxide dismutase(SOD) enzyme activity,the changes of wetland plant physiological characeristics under different power strength were studied,and the mechanism of electric field on plant physiological characteristics was analyzed to provide a theoretical basis for the pollutant removal ability strengthening of artificial wetland under electricfield.The results showed that compared with the control plants,low-intensity-voltage(1 V and 3 V) had no significant effect on the normal physiological and biochemical indexes of the plants,and the growth trend was better than the control group;with the voltage increasing,plant chlorophyll content,MDA content and SOD activity were greatly affected,indicating that plants were under strong oxidative stress,and the growth was damaged.Therefore,a suitable electric field could enhance the sewage treatment effect of constructed wetland.

Impacts of global biogenic isoprene emissions on surface ozone during 2000-2019

Biogenic isoprene is an important precursor of tropospheric ozone(O_(3)).Here,a coupled chemistry-vegetation model was used to quantify the contributions of isoprene emissions to surface O_(3)pollution on the global scale during 2000-2019.The biogenic isoprene emissions showed high values in mid-low latitudes and seasonal peaks in the summer hemispheres.They promote global surface O_(3)concentrations by 1.75 ppbv annually with regional hotspots of 4.39 ppbv(8.8%)in China and 5.36 ppbv(11.1%)in the U.S.in boreal summer.In the past two decades,isoprene emissions increased by 1.32 TgC yr^(−1)(0.67%yr^(−1))in the Northern Hemisphere but decreased by 0.71 TgC yr^(−1)(0.44%yr^(−1))in the Southern Hemisphere.Such changes of isoprene made opposite contributions to the surface O_(3)trend,with 0.26 ppbv yr^(−1)in eastern China but−0.32 ppbv yr^(−1)in the southeastern U.S.due to the changes in the background regime of chemical reactions.The impact of anthropogenic changes on the O_(3)trend is consistent with that of biogenic isoprene,but two to four times stronger in magnitude.This study revealed that the effective control of anthropogenic NO_(x)emissions could mitigate regional O_(3)pollution even with the increased isoprene emissions under global warming.

A comparison of landscaping plant utilization in some residential quarters in Beijing

A dwelling district is the most direct space of people’s living environment. The environmental construction should take the improvement and maintenance of the ecologically balance in housing estate as its aim and the coexistence between man and nature as its goal. By making an analysis of the current situation of afforestation, landscape, functional requirements and humanistic environment of the six residential quarters of Huilongguan Fengyayuan, Sainaweila,Xinxinjiayuan of the Asian Games, and others in Beijing, this paper presents an arrangement mode of plants in dwelling districts.

Variations in Uptake and Translocation of Copper, Chromium and Nickel Among Nineteen Wetland Plant Species

An experiment was carried out to investigate the variations in metal uptake and translocation among 19 wetland plant species in small-scale plots of constructed wetland using artificial wastewater containing 2.0 mg L^-1 copper （Cu）, 1.0 mg L^-1 chromium （Cr）, and 2.0 mg L^-1 nickel （Ni）. More than 97% of Cu, Cr, and Ni were removed from the wastewater by the wetland plant species. There were more than ]00-fold differences in the metal accumulation and more than ten-fold differences in the metal concentrations among the 19 plant species. These plants accumulated as high as 8.8% of Cu, 20.5% of Cr, and 14.4% of Ni when they were grown in the wetland soaked with the wastewater. Several plant species were found to be highly capable of accumulating one, two or all the three metals. The results indicated considerable variations in the metal removal abilities through phytoextraction among the 19 wetland plant species. It can be concluded that the selection of appropriate plant species in constructed wetland can be crucial for the improvement of metal removal efficiency of the wetland system.

The characteristic of phytoplankton community and its variation at artificial reef area of the coastal sea of Tianjin

Three cruises were investigated respectively in May,July and November 2016 in the artificial reef area of 2010,2012,and 2014 and the non-artificial reef area(control area)in the coastal area of Tianjin.Each area had 3 sampling stations,a total of 12 sites.The result showed that 58 taxa of phytoplankton were identified which belongs to 2 phyla 28 genera,Among these species,bacillariophyta including 19 genera 44 species,pyrrhophyta including 9 genera and 14 species.Give priority to with diatom species,accounting for 75.9%of the total species,followed by dinoflagellates,accounting for 24.1%.Dominant phytoplankton species give priority to with coscinodiscus and Chaetoceros of bacillariophyta,mainly including Coscinodiscus wailesii,C.asteromphalus,C.granii,C.oculus-iridis,C.spp.,Chaetoceros castracanei,C.lorenzianus,C.curvisetus,Pseudo-nitzschiapungens,Guianardia delicatula,Rhizosolenia setigera,Proboscia alata f.indica and Noctilluca scintillans.Phytoplankton cell abundance revealed obviously seasonal changes,the average cell abundance respectively was 94.79×10^4 cells/m^4、39.53×10^4 cells/m^4 and 21.5×10^4 cells/m^3.Phytoplankton diversity index has obviously seasonal variation,and in November,shannon-wiener diversity index,Margalef index and Pielou index are higher than in May and July.Comparing the artificial reef areas with the control area,the phytoplankton cells abundance of the control area in May was significantly higher than the artificial reef areas.In July and November,the artificial reef area of 2014 phytoplankton cell abundance was significantly higher than other artificial reef area and the control area.Diversity index of phytoplankton in the control area and the artificial reef of 2012 was lower than the artificial reef area of 2010 and 2014,and lowest in non-artificial reef areas.Obviously,the construction of artificial reef had significant effect for the improvement of the phytoplankton community diversity,but the phytoplankton community diversity is not always increasing and fluctuating to a certain extent as time goes by.

Influence of ginseng cultivation under larch plantations on plant diversity and soil properties in Liaoning Province,Northeast China

Currently, transforming the mode of forest management and developing multiple forest management practices are actively encouraged in China. As one forest management type, ginseng cultivation under larch plantations has been developed significantly in the east of Liaoning Province. However, research on the influence of the ecological environment for this mode of production is still deficient. Based on this, our study compares the plant diversity and soil properties in the ginseng cultivation under larch plantations(LG) with larch plantations(LP) and natural secondary forests(SF). First, we randomly selected three plots for each of the three stand types which have similar stand characteristics; then, we carried out a plant diversity survey and soil sampling in each of the nine plots. The results show that no significant difference was found in plant diversity between LG and LP, but theevenness of herbs was significantly lower in LG than LP. No obvious changes in soil physical properties were found in LG, but a significant decrease in most of the soil nutrient content was presented in LG. Furthermore, we found a correlation between plant diversity(H') and soil properties in the three kinds of stand types, especially between herbaceous plant diversity and soil properties. We conclude that ginseng cultivation under larch plantations has no obvious effect on plant diversity, except the herbaceous evenness. Soil fertility can be depleted significantly in LG, but physical structures are not affected. Moreover, maintaining the diversity of herbaceous plants and controlling the density of ginseng cultivation in LG by farmers are important for the ecological environment. Based on this study and its good comprehensive benefits and with the support of policy, we think this forest management type should be promoted moderately in the region.

Generation of human/rat xenograft animal model for the study of human donor stem cell behaviors in vivo

AIM： TO accurately and realistically elucidate human stem cell behaviors in vivo and the fundamental mechanisms controlling human stem cell fates in vivo, which is urgently required in regenerative medicine and treatments for some human diseases, a surrogate human-rat chimera model was developed. METHODS： Human-rat chimeras were achieved by in utero transplanting low-density mononuclear cells from human umbilical cord blood into the fetal rats at 9-11 d of gestation, and subsequently, a variety of methods, including flow cytometry, PCR as well as immunohistochemical assay, were used to test the human donor contribution in the recipients. RESULTS： Of 29 live-born recipients, 19 had the presence of human CD45^＋ cells in peripheral blood （PB） detected by flow cytometry, while PCR analysis on genomic DNA from 11 different adult tissues showed that 14 selected from flow cytometry-positive 19 animals possessed of donor-derived human cell engraftment in multiple tissues （i.e. liver, spleen, thymus, heart, kidney, blood, lung, muscle, gut and skin） examined at the time of tissue collection, as confirmed by detecting human 132- microglobulin expression using immunohistochemistry. Tn this xenogeneic system, the engrafted donor-derived human cells persisted in multiple tissues for at least 6 mo after birth. Moreover, transplanted human donor cells underwent site-specific differentiation into CK18-positive human cells in chimeric liver and CEHS-positive human cells in chimeric spleen and thymus of recipients. CONCLUSION： Taken together, these findings suggest that we successfully developed human-rat chimeras, in which xenogeneic human cells exist up to 6 mo later. This humanized small animal model, which offers an in vivo environment more closely resembling to the situations in human, provides an invaluable and effective approach for in vivo investigating human stem cell behaviors, and further in vivo examining fundamental mechanisms controlling human stem cell fates in the future. The potential for new advances in our better understanding the living biological systems in human provided by investigators in humanized animals will remain promising.

Assessment of Reproductive Potential of Different Populations of Angelica glauca Edgew.,a Critically Endangered Himalayan Medicinal Herb

Angelica glauca is one of the important medicinal plants and it is widely used by indigenous communities for different purposes. The present study analyzes variability in reproductive characters of A. glauca. The reproductive parts were found having significant positive correlation with altitude (e.g.,number of umbellets /umber r= 0.857,p<0.05; umbel diameter r=0.735,p<0.05).

Shifting towards a Mediterranean Diet in the US： How Far Do We Have to Go, What Are the Potential Health Benefits and Can We Get There？

In the public dialogue surrounding the development of the 2015 dietary guidelines for Americans, public health and environmental advocates converged around a simple theme of shifting towards a more plant-forward Mediterranean-style diet. A robust body of literature documenting the health benefits of this eating pattern provides compelling reasons to change our dietary habits in ways that also benefit our environment, but we also need to have the right foods available and affordable to support this modest shift. This commentary discusses the gaps in current US dietary intakes compared to recommendations for meat and protein versus plant-based foods and the potential health benefits of shifting towards a more plant-based diet, focusing on the complex role of Mediterranean crops, such as tree nuts and olive oils, needed to support this shift.

Understory flora and community physiognomy of planted forests in the degraded purple soil ecosystem, South China

The flora and community physiognomy of degraded plantation ecosystems onpurple soil were investigated in Ninghua County of Fujian Province, China to understand therelationship between plant diversity and ecosystem processes.. Four different restorationcommunities (labeled as ecological restoration treatment Ⅰ, Ⅱ, Ⅲ and Ⅳ) were selected byspace-time replacement method according to the erosion intensity in degraded purple soil ecosystem.The results showed that there were totally 86 plant species belonging to 78 genera and 43 familiesin the degraded purple soil ecosystem. Of the 15 types of distribution area in spermatophyte genus,12 types were found in the purple soil ecosystem. Along restoration gradient from low to high, plantgrowth type and life form spectra became abundant more and more, and the spermatophyte genera foreach distribution area type and genera numbers for different foliage characters increased as well.It is concluded that the plant flora and physiognomy in ecological restoration process become morecomplex and diverse, indicating that the forest ecosystem on purple soil tends to be more stable.