[Objectives]This study was conducted to investigate the physicochemical and functional properties of soluble dietary fiber(SDF)from apple pomace.[Methods]Soluble dietary fiber(SDF)from apple pomace was extracted by di...[Objectives]This study was conducted to investigate the physicochemical and functional properties of soluble dietary fiber(SDF)from apple pomace.[Methods]Soluble dietary fiber(SDF)from apple pomace was extracted by direct water extraction(W),lactic acid bacteria fermentation(F)and steam explosion(SE)respectively,and the extraction methods and physicochemical and functional characteristics were compared and analyzed.[Results]The solubility,water holding capacities,oil holding capacities and swelling capacities of W-SDF,F-SDF and SE-SDF were(2.13,3.95 and 5.13 g/g),(9.02,13.75 and 15.88 g/g),(2.13,4.08 and 5.11 g/g),and(10.82,14.03 and 15.77 ml/g),respectively.Their emulsifying activity,emulsifying stability and least gelation concentration were(30.28,47.95 and 58.72 ml/100 ml),(37.88,45.25 and 57.13 ml/100 ml),and(12.11,11.25 and 9.87%),respectively.The adsorption capacities of W-SDF,F-SDF and SE-SDF for heavy metals(Pb,As and Cu)in the intestinal environment(pH 7)were(162.7,183.5 and 197.3μmol/g),(132.8,156.7 and 168.9μmol/g),and(57.2,63.5 and 89.2μmol/g)respectively.In the gastric environment(pH 2),they were(72.8,110.5,138.9μmol/g),(82.1,112.5,135.7μmol/g),and(38.9,42.7,55.1μmol/g)respectively.[Conclusions]The study can provide a theoretical basis for functional modification and comprehensive utilization of dietary fiber from apple pomace.展开更多
Methane(CH_(4))has a higher heat capacity(104.9 kcal/mol)than carbon dioxide(CO_(2)),and this has inspired research aimed at reducing methane levels to retard global warming.Hydroxylation under ambient conditions thro...Methane(CH_(4))has a higher heat capacity(104.9 kcal/mol)than carbon dioxide(CO_(2)),and this has inspired research aimed at reducing methane levels to retard global warming.Hydroxylation under ambient conditions through methanotrophs can provide crucial information for understanding the harsh C-H activation of methane.Soluble methane monooxygenase(sMMO)belongs to the bacterial multi-component monooxygenase superfamily and requires hydroxylase(MMOH),regulatory(MMOB),and reductase(MMOR)components.Recent structural and biophysical studies have demonstrated that these components accelerate and retard methane hydroxylation in MMOH through protein-protein interactions.Complex structures of sMMO,including MMOH-MMOB and MMOH-MMOD,illustrate how these regulatory and inhibitory components orchestrate the di-iron active sites located within the four-helix bundles of MMOH,specifically at the docking surface known as the canyon region.In addition,recent biophysical studies have demonstrated the role of MmoR,aσ54-dependent transcriptional regulator,in regulating sMMO expression.This perspective article introduces remarkable discoveries in recent reports on sMMO components that are crucial for understanding sMMO expression and activities.Our findings provide insight into how sMMO components interact with MMOH to control methane hydroxylation,shedding light on the mechanisms governing sMMO expression and the interactions between activating enzymes and promoters.展开更多
Dissolution of soluble soil,biodegradation of municipal solid waste(MSW),and internal erosion of gap-graded soil are typical mass loss processes of geomaterials,which result in various engineering problems.These three...Dissolution of soluble soil,biodegradation of municipal solid waste(MSW),and internal erosion of gap-graded soil are typical mass loss processes of geomaterials,which result in various engineering problems.These three processes are conceptually analogous and examined by a unified assessment of their behaviors considering the initial properties of geomaterials and testing conditions.This study collected additional data from twelve soil dissolution tests and five long-term MSW biodegradation tests.We then established a comprehensive mass loss behavior dataset based on the available studies and the supplementary data obtained from this study.In addition to the flow-reactive fraction,two initial volumetric properties are also critical,which are void ratio before mass loss(esolid,0)and inert-to-reactive size ratio.A characteristic parameter(Λ),describing the ratio between the change in voids volume and the change in flow-reactive solids volume,is correlated with the strain and change in esolid.The volumetric and structural changes of all the flow-reactive geomaterials are categorized into Λ=−1 for pseudo-stable,−1≤Λ<0 for collapsible,0≤Λ<esolid,0 for hyper-collapsible,and Λ≥esolid,0 for readily densified.A three-dimensional plot constructed by the three critical initial properties is divided into eight zones based on the differentΛvalues,which correspond to distinct mass loss behaviors.The a priori Λ estimation and corresponding zonation for a wide variety of flow-reactive geomaterials is shown to be beneficial for research and practice.展开更多
Myocardial ischemia is a serious threat to human health,and vascular dysfunction is its main cause.Buxu Tongyu(BXTY)Granule is an effective traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)for treating myocardial ischemia.However,the...Myocardial ischemia is a serious threat to human health,and vascular dysfunction is its main cause.Buxu Tongyu(BXTY)Granule is an effective traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)for treating myocardial ischemia.However,the underlying mechanism of BXTY is still unclear.In this study,we demonstrate that BXTY ameliorates myocardial ischemia by activating the soluble guanylate cyclase(sGC)-30,50-cyclic guanosine monophosphate(cGMP)-protein kinase G(PKG)signaling pathway in vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMCs)to dilate the arteries.BXTY was given by gavage for ten consecutive days before establishing an animal model of acute myocardial ischemia in mice via the intraperitoneal injection of pituitrin.The results showed that BXTY alleviated the symptoms of myocardial ischemia induced by pituitrin in mice,including electrocardiogram abnormalities and changes in plasma enzymes.In addition,BXTY dilated pre-constricted blood vessels and inhibited the vasoconstriction of the superior mesenteric artery in a dose-dependent but endothelial-independent manner.These effects were eliminated by preincubating vascular rings with the sGC inhibitors NS 2028 or ODQ,or with the PKG inhibitor KT 5823.Moreover,BXTY increased the protein expression of sGC-b1 and the intracellular second messenger cGMP level in mouse aortic vascular smooth muscle cells(MOVAs).NS 2028 or ODQ reversed these effects of BXTY.The expression level of the cGMP downstream effector protein PKG-1 increased after treating MOVAs with BXTY.NS 2028,ODQ,or KT 5823 also reversed this effect of BXTY.In conclusion,BXTY can improve the symptoms of acute myocardial ischemia in mice,and activating the sGC-cGMP-PKG pathway in VSMCs to induce vasodilation is its key pharmacodynamic mechanism.展开更多
The increasing incidence of cardiovascular disease(CVD)is a significant global health concern,affecting millions of individuals each year.Accurate diagnosis of acute CVD poses a formidable challenge,as misdiagnosis ca...The increasing incidence of cardiovascular disease(CVD)is a significant global health concern,affecting millions of individuals each year.Accurate diagnosis of acute CVD poses a formidable challenge,as misdiagnosis can significantly decrease patient survival rates.Traditional biomarkers have played a vital role in the diagnosis and prognosis of CVDs,but they can be influenced by various factors,such as age,sex,and renal function.Soluble ST2(sST2)is a novel biomarker that is closely associated with different CVDs.Its low reference change value makes it suitable for continuous measurement,unaffected by age,kidney function,and other confounding factors,facilitating risk stratification of CVDs.Furthermore,the combination of sST2 with other biomarkers can enhance diagnostic accuracy and prognostic value.This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of sST2,focusing on its diagnostic and prognostic value as a myocardial marker for different types of CVDs and discussing the current limitations of sST2.展开更多
BACKGROUND Recent advancements in nanomedicine have highlighted the potential of exosome(Ex)-based therapies,utilizing naturally derived nanoparticles,as a novel approach to targeted cancer treatment.AIM To explore th...BACKGROUND Recent advancements in nanomedicine have highlighted the potential of exosome(Ex)-based therapies,utilizing naturally derived nanoparticles,as a novel approach to targeted cancer treatment.AIM To explore the targetability and anticancer effectiveness of small interfering peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase NIMA-interacting 1 RNA(siPIN1)-loaded soluble a proliferation-inducing ligand(sAPRIL)-targeted Exs(designated as tEx[p])in the treatment of colon cancer models.METHODS tEx was generated by harvesting conditioned media from adipose-derived stem cells that had undergone transformation using pDisplay vectors encoding sAPRIL-binding peptide sequences.Subsequently,tEx[p]were created by incorporating PIN1 siRNA into the tEx using the Exofect kit.The therapeutic efficacy of these Exs was evaluated using both in vitro and in vivo models of colon cancer.RESULTS The tEx[p]group exhibited superior anticancer effects in comparison to other groups,including tEx,Ex[p],and Ex,demonstrated by the smallest tumor size,the slowest tumor growth rate,and the lightest weight of the excised tumors observed in the tEx[p]group(P<0.05).Moreover,analyses of the excised tumor tissues,using western blot analysis and immunohistochemical staining,revealed that tEx[p]treatment resulted in the highest increase in Ecadherin expression and the most significant reduction in the mesenchymal markers Vimentin and Snail(P<0.05),suggesting a more effective inhibition of epithelial-mesenchymal transition tEx[p],likely due to the enhanced delivery of siPIN1.CONCLUSION The use of bioengineered Exs targeting sAPRIL and containing siPIN1 demonstrated superior efficacy in inhibiting tumor growth and epithelial-mesenchymal transition,highlighting their potential as a therapeutic strategy for colon cancer.展开更多
Bai-Hua-She-She-Cao Hedyotis diffusa Willd. (Ru-biaceae) is a medicinal herbwidely distributed in northeast Asian countries. In traditional Chinese medicine, it has the effectof 'clearing away heat and toxic mater...Bai-Hua-She-She-Cao Hedyotis diffusa Willd. (Ru-biaceae) is a medicinal herbwidely distributed in northeast Asian countries. In traditional Chinese medicine, it has the effectof 'clearing away heat and toxic material, promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis'.It is a well known Chinese folk-medicine used for the treatment of appendicitis, sore throat, mumps,acne, sebo-rheic dermatitis and various kinds of tumors, such as tumors of digestive tract,carcinoma of liver. It was reported that the MeOH extract of H. diffusa demonstrated a significantantitumor activity and ursolic acid succeeded in being isolated from the MeOH extract as an activecomponent . Shan BN, et al suggested that the direct aqueous extract of H. diffusa hadimmuno-modulating activity and antitumor activity in vitro through stimulating the immune system tokill or engulf tumor cells. But regarding anti-tumor activity in vivo of water soluble extracts fromH. diffusa, no detail was reported. Therefore, we prepared water soluble extracts (H_1 and H_2)from H. diffusa and evaluated their anti-tumor property in vivo experiments as well as protectiveeffect on chemo-therapeutic damage.展开更多
Populus tomentosa seedlings used for cold acclimation at -3℃ were pretreated with or without 10?mmol·L -1 CaCl 2, 3?mmol·L -1 of Ca 2+ chelator EGTA, 0 1?mmol·L -1 of Ca 2+ ...Populus tomentosa seedlings used for cold acclimation at -3℃ were pretreated with or without 10?mmol·L -1 CaCl 2, 3?mmol·L -1 of Ca 2+ chelator EGTA, 0 1?mmol·L -1 of Ca 2+ channel inhibitor LaCl 3,and 0 05?mmol·L -1 of CaM antagonist CPZ. The changes in the contents of total soluble protein and CaM, and freezing resistance in all pretreated seedlings in various periods ( viz: following cold acclimation, chilling stress and recovery) were investigated. Results showed that cold acclimation increased the contents of total soluble protein and CaM, and freezing resistance of seedlings, which could be strongly reduced by the pretreatments of EGTA CPZ and LaCl 3 Cold acclimation combined with CaCl 2 pretreatment enhanced the effect of cold acclimation on freezing resistance, and obviously increased the contents of total soluble protein and CaM, reduced the declining degree of the contents of total soluble protein and CaM caused by chilling stress as compared with cold acclimation, augmented the increase in the level of total soluble protein and CaM during the recovery periods. Further analysis found that an increase in total soluble protein content during cold acclimation with or without CaCl 2 pretreatment mainly resulted from the increase in content of heat stable protein in total soluble protein. It is suggested that Ca 2+ calmodulin may be involved in the synthesis of total soluble protein, and the induction of freezing resistance of seedlings.展开更多
The changes in the contents of total soluble protein and RNA, the activity of RNase in leaves and branches of Populus tomentosa cuttings at various periods (viz: cold acclimation, deacclimation, chilling stress an...The changes in the contents of total soluble protein and RNA, the activity of RNase in leaves and branches of Populus tomentosa cuttings at various periods (viz: cold acclimation, deacclimation, chilling stress and the recovery after chilling stress), and the survival rate and the freezing resistance of cuttings during cold acclimation at -3℃ were investigated. Results showed that cold acclimation not only increased the contents of total soluble protein and RNA, the survival rates and the freezing resistance of cuttings, decreased the activity of RNase, but also reduced the declining degree of total soluble protein and RNA contents, and the increasing level of RNase caused by chilling stress as compared with the controls. In addition, cold acclimation augmented the increase in the level of total soluble protein and RNA, and facilitated the decrease of RNase during the recovery periods. Further analysis found that the DNA content of all treatments kept relative stability at various periods. The changes in total soluble protein, RNA and RNase were closely related to the freezing resistance of cuttings. It appears that the increase of RNA content caused by cold acclimation induced decrease of RNase activity may be involved in the accumulation of total soluble protein and the induction of freezing resistance of cuttings.展开更多
Pervoskite type oxides LaCoO 3 was prepared by citrate method with the granula of 20 nm-30 nm. With a fluorescent Hg lamp or sunlight as irradiator, the degradation experiments of various water soluble dyes we...Pervoskite type oxides LaCoO 3 was prepared by citrate method with the granula of 20 nm-30 nm. With a fluorescent Hg lamp or sunlight as irradiator, the degradation experiments of various water soluble dyes were carried out in the suspension system of LaCoO 3 . The results show that the pervoskite type oxide LaCoO 3 has good photocatalytic activity.Studied by X ray photoelectron spectroscopy and photoacoustic spectra, its photocatalytic activity is found to be related with factors such as the d electron structure of ion Co 3+ ,Co—O binding energy and adsorbed oxygen on the surface etc.展开更多
[Objective] The extraction efficiency of soluble nitrogen in common moun- tain red soil under different conditions was analyzed to provide experimental refer- ences for the extraction of soil soluble nitrogen. [Method...[Objective] The extraction efficiency of soluble nitrogen in common moun- tain red soil under different conditions was analyzed to provide experimental refer- ences for the extraction of soil soluble nitrogen. [Method] The fresh soil and air-dried soil, which were the common mountain red soil under evergreen broad-leaved forest vegetation, were used as the experimental materials. The 2 mol/L KCI and 0.5 mol/L K2SO4 were used as the extractants to extract the soil soluble nitrogen with the extractant-to-soil volume ratio at 4:1, 6:1 and 10:1, respectively, to examine the extrac- tion efficiency of soluble nitrogen in the experimental soil with different extraction conditions. [Result] Compared with K2SO4, the NH4+-N extracted by KCI was better in quantity and stability; while only at high extractant-to-soil volume ratio could K2SO4 fully extract the soil NH4+-N. The 2 extractants showed small difference in extracting NO3--N, but at low extractant-to-soil volume ratio, the stability of NO3--N extracted by KCI was higher than that extracted by K2SO4. The properties of NO2- -N extracted by the 2 extractants were very similar. As for soil SON extraction, there was small dif- ference between the 2 extractants. However, the SON extracted by KCI was fewer in quantity than that by K2SO4, but had higher stability, and the extracted SON amount of the 2 extractants showed significant correlation. The extractant-to-soil ratio had little effect on MBN extraction using K2SO4, but the effect was significant when using KCI to extract MBN. The difference between the extraction efficiency of KCI and K^SO4 in extracting fresh soils was greater than that in extracting air-dried soil; therefore, the extractants should be carefully selected in soluble nitrogen extraction from fresh soil. [Conclusion] The results lay the experimental foundation for improving the extraction efficiency of soil soluble nitrogen and increasing the comparability of measurement results.展开更多
Total soluble proteins of different life stages, filamentous sporophytes cultivated in high temperatures, and blade gametophytes harvested in different seasons, were identified by SDS-PAGE. The types and amounts of ex...Total soluble proteins of different life stages, filamentous sporophytes cultivated in high temperatures, and blade gametophytes harvested in different seasons, were identified by SDS-PAGE. The types and amounts of expressed proteins also varied amongst the samples. The fewest soluble proteins were present in filamentous sporophytes. There were more types and amounts of soluble protein in conchospores than in filamentous sporophytes, but fewer than in bulgy sporophytes. More types of protein were detected in filamentous sporophytes cultivated in high temperatures than in those growing in normal situations. The most types and amounts of protein were found in blade gametophytes in all samples. Blade gametophytes harvested last year and stored at -20 ℃ showed only minor differences in expression of proteins when compared with those harvested in different seasons.展开更多
[Objective] The research aimed to provide theoretical basis for the cultivation and production of peach.[Method] The three-year-old seedling peach tree was used as the materials,and NH4NO3 was used as the experimental...[Objective] The research aimed to provide theoretical basis for the cultivation and production of peach.[Method] The three-year-old seedling peach tree was used as the materials,and NH4NO3 was used as the experimental nitrogen fertilizer.Three nitrogen levels,0,3,6 g per pot respectively were set to study the effects of different nitrogen fertilizer on the contents of soluble sugar,starch and internal structure of the root of the peaches.[Result] The contents of soluble sugar of roots and leaves increased with the increase of nitrogen fertilizer level,and the level of 6 g per pot was the highest,which showed extreme differences between the level of 3 g per pot and the control.However,starch contents showed opposite results,which decreased as the level of nitrogen fertilizer increased.Compared with the 3 g per pot level of nitrogen fertilizer and the control,the internal structure of root applied with nitrogen fertilizer of 6 g per pot level had larger fibrovascularcylinder,advanced vascular bundle,small-spaced thin-walled cells,smooth and full cells with smooth cell wall.[Conclusion]Appropriate nitrogen levels can accelerate the accumulation of soluble sugar and the growth of root tissue structure.展开更多
Soluble organic nitrogen (SON) is recognized as a sensitive indicator of soil nitrogen status. The present work was conducted in the temperate forests of northeast China where soils are typically characterized by hi...Soluble organic nitrogen (SON) is recognized as a sensitive indicator of soil nitrogen status. The present work was conducted in the temperate forests of northeast China where soils are typically characterized by high organic matter and high organic nitrogen content, and soil sampling was made in early spring just after the freeze-thaw period. The water extracted SON pools in the organic layer of forest soils were measured within the range from 156.0 mg·kg^-1 to 292.6 mg·kg^-1, a similar magnitude of salt solution extracted SON pools reported in literatures. However, the water soluble SON pools in 0-15 cm mineral soils in present study were much higher (3-10 times) than any other reports, ranging from 58.6 mg·kg^-1 to 125.2 mg·kg^-1. Water soluble SON varied markedly among the soils under different forests and at different sites. The SON in water extracts were positively and significantly correlated to soil organic matter and total nitrogen contents, but negatively correlated to microbial biomass nitrogen (MBN). The reasons of the abnormally large SON pools and the negative correlations between SON and MBN in the 0-15cm mineral soils in this study were specially discussed.展开更多
Hydrophobically associating water-soluble polymers (HPAP) have been synthesized from acrylamide(AM), acrylate (AA), 2-acrylamido-2-methyl propane sulfonic acid (AMPS) and hydrophobic monomer (AP) in aqueous solution...Hydrophobically associating water-soluble polymers (HPAP) have been synthesized from acrylamide(AM), acrylate (AA), 2-acrylamido-2-methyl propane sulfonic acid (AMPS) and hydrophobic monomer (AP) in aqueous solution by radical polymerization. New polymer drilling fluids are made up of HPAP, which is used as viscosifiers and encapsulation agents. Properties of this system are reported in this paper. Results indicate that this system has a high value of yield point to plastic viscosity (YP/PV≥0.7), high viscosity at a low-shear rate (LSRV≥30000mPa·s), excellent shear thinning behavior, good solid-carrying behavior, resistance to shear, good thermal stability (as high as 140℃) and salt resistance. The system has excellent behavior in high-density solution of NaCl and in calcium and magnesium rich saline solutions. Hence, HPAP also can be used in saltwater polymer drilling fluids.展开更多
The solvent debinding of water soluble binder in powder injection moulding (MIM) was investigated systematically, including the effects of solvent types, temperature and the thickness of green parts on the solvent deb...The solvent debinding of water soluble binder in powder injection moulding (MIM) was investigated systematically, including the effects of solvent types, temperature and the thickness of green parts on the solvent debinding rate. After studying the debinding of a green part with a thickness of 4.26 mm, it was found that, the debinding rate of polyethylene glycol(PEG) in water and alcohol was high initially, and then decreased; however, it would increase with temperature increasing. At room temperature, the dissolution rate of PEG in water was higher than that in alcohol, but the latter would be much faster with temperature increasing because the debinding activation energy in alcohol was 51.44 kJ·mol -1 ·K -1 , much higher than 24.23 kJ·mol -1 ·K -1 in water. With a green part thickness larger than 4.26 mm, the debinding was controlled by diffusion; but with that smaller than 2.36 mm, the debinding was controlled by both dissolution and diffusion.展开更多
Alkali stress can cause severe crop damage and reduce production. However, physiological processes involved in alkali stress in oat seedlings are not well understood. In this study, physiological responses and yield o...Alkali stress can cause severe crop damage and reduce production. However, physiological processes involved in alkali stress in oat seedlings are not well understood. In this study, physiological responses and yield of oat to alkali stress were studied using the alkali-tolerant oat genotype Vao-9 and the alkali-sensitive oat genotype Baiyan 5. The results were: (i) low concentrations of alkali stress (25 and 50 mmol L^-1) significantly reduced the yield and grain weight while increased the oat grain number per spike. A negative correlation between yield and malondialdehyde (MDA) content at the jointing and grain filling stages and positive correlations between yield on one hand and superoxide dismutase (SOD), and peroxidase (POD) activities on the other at the jointing stage were observed. There was a positive correlation between MDA and soluble sugar at the grain filling stage; (ii) soluble sugar content was increased at the jointing and grain filling stages and decreased at the heading stage by alkali stress; (iii) alkali stress increased the SOD activity during the heading and grain filling stages, and increased the POD activity at the heading stage. As compared to the control, the increase of MDA contents in alkali-treated oat was observed, during the jointing, heading and grain filling stages; (iv) under alkali stress, the oat genotype Vao-9 showed higher antioxidant enzyme activity and lower soluble sugar contents during the heading stage, and lower MDA contents than those in the oat genotype Baiyan 5 under alkali stress. The result suggested that the high ROS scavenging capacity and soluble sugar levels might play roles in oat response to alkali stress,展开更多
Fluidized pellet bed (FPB) has been successfully applied in water and wastewater treatment. However, the removal mechanism of contaminants especially the soluble ones, is still unclear. This study aimed to evaluate ...Fluidized pellet bed (FPB) has been successfully applied in water and wastewater treatment. However, the removal mechanism of contaminants especially the soluble ones, is still unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of FPB reactor for removing soluble contaminants from synthetic wastewater. By only coagulation through jar test operation with addition of polyaluminium chloride (PAC1) as primary coagulant and polyacryamide (PAM) as coagulant-aid, the removals of soluble chemical oxygen demand (COD), total phosphorus (TP), and NH4^+-N were found to be only 2.2%-7.5%, 5.7%-25.5%, and 9.9%-18.5%, respectively. However, by FPB operation under the same dosage of coagulants, these values increased to 82.7%, 37.2%, and 50%, indicating that the formation of pellets in the FPB effectively enhanced the removal of soluble contaminants. By careful comparison of the settleablility and filterability of the pollutants after coagulation, the originally soluble contaminants could be divided into three groups, namely: (1) coagulated-and- settleable, (2) coagulated-but-nonsettleable, and (3) uncoagulable. It was found that not only the first two groups but also a large part of the third group could be effectively removed by FPB operation. However, the mechanism for the removal of the uncoagulable pollutants by FPB operation still needs further investigation.展开更多
Fungi and their symbionts can alleviate heavy metal stress by exuding soluble proteins and enzymes. This study examined the role of soluble protein and acid phosphatase (APase) exuded by Xerocomus chrysenteron, an e...Fungi and their symbionts can alleviate heavy metal stress by exuding soluble proteins and enzymes. This study examined the role of soluble protein and acid phosphatase (APase) exuded by Xerocomus chrysenteron, an ectomycorrhizal fungus, and the seedlings of its symbiont, Chinese pine (Pinus tabulaeformis), under conditions of excessive Cu and Cd. The growth type showed that this poorly studied ectomycorrhizal fungus was capable of tolerating high concentrations of Cu, and may be useful in phytoremediation. X. chrysenteron grew well at 80 mg/L Cu, and the EC50 for Cd was 17.82 mg/L. X. chrysenteron also showed enhanced exudation of soluble protein in both isolated and inoculated cultivations under the influence of Cu and Cd. Soluble protein exudation, however, differed under Cu and Cd stress in isolates. In mediums containing Cu, soluble protein exudation increased with concentration, but in mediums containing Cd the content of soluble protein increased to a comparable level at all concentrations. This study demonstrated that soluble protein was related to heavy metal tolerance, although the different ions played different roles. While APase activity in exudates of fungi and seedlings decreased under Cu and Cd stress in comparison to the control, the APase activity in seedlings was maintained by inoculation. Thus, X. chrysenteron facilitated the ability of plant to maintain a normal nutrient uptake, and therefore to protect it from heavy metal toxicity.展开更多
基金Supported by High-end Talent Project of Hebei ProvinceTangshan Talent Funding Project(B202302006).
文摘[Objectives]This study was conducted to investigate the physicochemical and functional properties of soluble dietary fiber(SDF)from apple pomace.[Methods]Soluble dietary fiber(SDF)from apple pomace was extracted by direct water extraction(W),lactic acid bacteria fermentation(F)and steam explosion(SE)respectively,and the extraction methods and physicochemical and functional characteristics were compared and analyzed.[Results]The solubility,water holding capacities,oil holding capacities and swelling capacities of W-SDF,F-SDF and SE-SDF were(2.13,3.95 and 5.13 g/g),(9.02,13.75 and 15.88 g/g),(2.13,4.08 and 5.11 g/g),and(10.82,14.03 and 15.77 ml/g),respectively.Their emulsifying activity,emulsifying stability and least gelation concentration were(30.28,47.95 and 58.72 ml/100 ml),(37.88,45.25 and 57.13 ml/100 ml),and(12.11,11.25 and 9.87%),respectively.The adsorption capacities of W-SDF,F-SDF and SE-SDF for heavy metals(Pb,As and Cu)in the intestinal environment(pH 7)were(162.7,183.5 and 197.3μmol/g),(132.8,156.7 and 168.9μmol/g),and(57.2,63.5 and 89.2μmol/g)respectively.In the gastric environment(pH 2),they were(72.8,110.5,138.9μmol/g),(82.1,112.5,135.7μmol/g),and(38.9,42.7,55.1μmol/g)respectively.[Conclusions]The study can provide a theoretical basis for functional modification and comprehensive utilization of dietary fiber from apple pomace.
文摘Methane(CH_(4))has a higher heat capacity(104.9 kcal/mol)than carbon dioxide(CO_(2)),and this has inspired research aimed at reducing methane levels to retard global warming.Hydroxylation under ambient conditions through methanotrophs can provide crucial information for understanding the harsh C-H activation of methane.Soluble methane monooxygenase(sMMO)belongs to the bacterial multi-component monooxygenase superfamily and requires hydroxylase(MMOH),regulatory(MMOB),and reductase(MMOR)components.Recent structural and biophysical studies have demonstrated that these components accelerate and retard methane hydroxylation in MMOH through protein-protein interactions.Complex structures of sMMO,including MMOH-MMOB and MMOH-MMOD,illustrate how these regulatory and inhibitory components orchestrate the di-iron active sites located within the four-helix bundles of MMOH,specifically at the docking surface known as the canyon region.In addition,recent biophysical studies have demonstrated the role of MmoR,aσ54-dependent transcriptional regulator,in regulating sMMO expression.This perspective article introduces remarkable discoveries in recent reports on sMMO components that are crucial for understanding sMMO expression and activities.Our findings provide insight into how sMMO components interact with MMOH to control methane hydroxylation,shedding light on the mechanisms governing sMMO expression and the interactions between activating enzymes and promoters.
基金Nanyang Technological University(NTU,Singapore)and Nanyang Environment and Water Research Institute for the financial support and scholarships of this research.
文摘Dissolution of soluble soil,biodegradation of municipal solid waste(MSW),and internal erosion of gap-graded soil are typical mass loss processes of geomaterials,which result in various engineering problems.These three processes are conceptually analogous and examined by a unified assessment of their behaviors considering the initial properties of geomaterials and testing conditions.This study collected additional data from twelve soil dissolution tests and five long-term MSW biodegradation tests.We then established a comprehensive mass loss behavior dataset based on the available studies and the supplementary data obtained from this study.In addition to the flow-reactive fraction,two initial volumetric properties are also critical,which are void ratio before mass loss(esolid,0)and inert-to-reactive size ratio.A characteristic parameter(Λ),describing the ratio between the change in voids volume and the change in flow-reactive solids volume,is correlated with the strain and change in esolid.The volumetric and structural changes of all the flow-reactive geomaterials are categorized into Λ=−1 for pseudo-stable,−1≤Λ<0 for collapsible,0≤Λ<esolid,0 for hyper-collapsible,and Λ≥esolid,0 for readily densified.A three-dimensional plot constructed by the three critical initial properties is divided into eight zones based on the differentΛvalues,which correspond to distinct mass loss behaviors.The a priori Λ estimation and corresponding zonation for a wide variety of flow-reactive geomaterials is shown to be beneficial for research and practice.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(81870259,82170431,81903608,and U21A20339)the CAMS Innovation Fund for Medical Sciences(CIFMS+1 种基金2019-I2M-5-078)the Postdoctoral Research Foundation of Heilongjiang Province(LBH-Q20148).
文摘Myocardial ischemia is a serious threat to human health,and vascular dysfunction is its main cause.Buxu Tongyu(BXTY)Granule is an effective traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)for treating myocardial ischemia.However,the underlying mechanism of BXTY is still unclear.In this study,we demonstrate that BXTY ameliorates myocardial ischemia by activating the soluble guanylate cyclase(sGC)-30,50-cyclic guanosine monophosphate(cGMP)-protein kinase G(PKG)signaling pathway in vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMCs)to dilate the arteries.BXTY was given by gavage for ten consecutive days before establishing an animal model of acute myocardial ischemia in mice via the intraperitoneal injection of pituitrin.The results showed that BXTY alleviated the symptoms of myocardial ischemia induced by pituitrin in mice,including electrocardiogram abnormalities and changes in plasma enzymes.In addition,BXTY dilated pre-constricted blood vessels and inhibited the vasoconstriction of the superior mesenteric artery in a dose-dependent but endothelial-independent manner.These effects were eliminated by preincubating vascular rings with the sGC inhibitors NS 2028 or ODQ,or with the PKG inhibitor KT 5823.Moreover,BXTY increased the protein expression of sGC-b1 and the intracellular second messenger cGMP level in mouse aortic vascular smooth muscle cells(MOVAs).NS 2028 or ODQ reversed these effects of BXTY.The expression level of the cGMP downstream effector protein PKG-1 increased after treating MOVAs with BXTY.NS 2028,ODQ,or KT 5823 also reversed this effect of BXTY.In conclusion,BXTY can improve the symptoms of acute myocardial ischemia in mice,and activating the sGC-cGMP-PKG pathway in VSMCs to induce vasodilation is its key pharmacodynamic mechanism.
文摘The increasing incidence of cardiovascular disease(CVD)is a significant global health concern,affecting millions of individuals each year.Accurate diagnosis of acute CVD poses a formidable challenge,as misdiagnosis can significantly decrease patient survival rates.Traditional biomarkers have played a vital role in the diagnosis and prognosis of CVDs,but they can be influenced by various factors,such as age,sex,and renal function.Soluble ST2(sST2)is a novel biomarker that is closely associated with different CVDs.Its low reference change value makes it suitable for continuous measurement,unaffected by age,kidney function,and other confounding factors,facilitating risk stratification of CVDs.Furthermore,the combination of sST2 with other biomarkers can enhance diagnostic accuracy and prognostic value.This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of sST2,focusing on its diagnostic and prognostic value as a myocardial marker for different types of CVDs and discussing the current limitations of sST2.
基金Supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea,No.NRF-2018R1D1A1B07047144.
文摘BACKGROUND Recent advancements in nanomedicine have highlighted the potential of exosome(Ex)-based therapies,utilizing naturally derived nanoparticles,as a novel approach to targeted cancer treatment.AIM To explore the targetability and anticancer effectiveness of small interfering peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase NIMA-interacting 1 RNA(siPIN1)-loaded soluble a proliferation-inducing ligand(sAPRIL)-targeted Exs(designated as tEx[p])in the treatment of colon cancer models.METHODS tEx was generated by harvesting conditioned media from adipose-derived stem cells that had undergone transformation using pDisplay vectors encoding sAPRIL-binding peptide sequences.Subsequently,tEx[p]were created by incorporating PIN1 siRNA into the tEx using the Exofect kit.The therapeutic efficacy of these Exs was evaluated using both in vitro and in vivo models of colon cancer.RESULTS The tEx[p]group exhibited superior anticancer effects in comparison to other groups,including tEx,Ex[p],and Ex,demonstrated by the smallest tumor size,the slowest tumor growth rate,and the lightest weight of the excised tumors observed in the tEx[p]group(P<0.05).Moreover,analyses of the excised tumor tissues,using western blot analysis and immunohistochemical staining,revealed that tEx[p]treatment resulted in the highest increase in Ecadherin expression and the most significant reduction in the mesenchymal markers Vimentin and Snail(P<0.05),suggesting a more effective inhibition of epithelial-mesenchymal transition tEx[p],likely due to the enhanced delivery of siPIN1.CONCLUSION The use of bioengineered Exs targeting sAPRIL and containing siPIN1 demonstrated superior efficacy in inhibiting tumor growth and epithelial-mesenchymal transition,highlighting their potential as a therapeutic strategy for colon cancer.
文摘Bai-Hua-She-She-Cao Hedyotis diffusa Willd. (Ru-biaceae) is a medicinal herbwidely distributed in northeast Asian countries. In traditional Chinese medicine, it has the effectof 'clearing away heat and toxic material, promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis'.It is a well known Chinese folk-medicine used for the treatment of appendicitis, sore throat, mumps,acne, sebo-rheic dermatitis and various kinds of tumors, such as tumors of digestive tract,carcinoma of liver. It was reported that the MeOH extract of H. diffusa demonstrated a significantantitumor activity and ursolic acid succeeded in being isolated from the MeOH extract as an activecomponent . Shan BN, et al suggested that the direct aqueous extract of H. diffusa hadimmuno-modulating activity and antitumor activity in vitro through stimulating the immune system tokill or engulf tumor cells. But regarding anti-tumor activity in vivo of water soluble extracts fromH. diffusa, no detail was reported. Therefore, we prepared water soluble extracts (H_1 and H_2)from H. diffusa and evaluated their anti-tumor property in vivo experiments as well as protectiveeffect on chemo-therapeutic damage.
文摘Populus tomentosa seedlings used for cold acclimation at -3℃ were pretreated with or without 10?mmol·L -1 CaCl 2, 3?mmol·L -1 of Ca 2+ chelator EGTA, 0 1?mmol·L -1 of Ca 2+ channel inhibitor LaCl 3,and 0 05?mmol·L -1 of CaM antagonist CPZ. The changes in the contents of total soluble protein and CaM, and freezing resistance in all pretreated seedlings in various periods ( viz: following cold acclimation, chilling stress and recovery) were investigated. Results showed that cold acclimation increased the contents of total soluble protein and CaM, and freezing resistance of seedlings, which could be strongly reduced by the pretreatments of EGTA CPZ and LaCl 3 Cold acclimation combined with CaCl 2 pretreatment enhanced the effect of cold acclimation on freezing resistance, and obviously increased the contents of total soluble protein and CaM, reduced the declining degree of the contents of total soluble protein and CaM caused by chilling stress as compared with cold acclimation, augmented the increase in the level of total soluble protein and CaM during the recovery periods. Further analysis found that an increase in total soluble protein content during cold acclimation with or without CaCl 2 pretreatment mainly resulted from the increase in content of heat stable protein in total soluble protein. It is suggested that Ca 2+ calmodulin may be involved in the synthesis of total soluble protein, and the induction of freezing resistance of seedlings.
文摘The changes in the contents of total soluble protein and RNA, the activity of RNase in leaves and branches of Populus tomentosa cuttings at various periods (viz: cold acclimation, deacclimation, chilling stress and the recovery after chilling stress), and the survival rate and the freezing resistance of cuttings during cold acclimation at -3℃ were investigated. Results showed that cold acclimation not only increased the contents of total soluble protein and RNA, the survival rates and the freezing resistance of cuttings, decreased the activity of RNase, but also reduced the declining degree of total soluble protein and RNA contents, and the increasing level of RNase caused by chilling stress as compared with the controls. In addition, cold acclimation augmented the increase in the level of total soluble protein and RNA, and facilitated the decrease of RNase during the recovery periods. Further analysis found that the DNA content of all treatments kept relative stability at various periods. The changes in total soluble protein, RNA and RNase were closely related to the freezing resistance of cuttings. It appears that the increase of RNA content caused by cold acclimation induced decrease of RNase activity may be involved in the accumulation of total soluble protein and the induction of freezing resistance of cuttings.
基金NationalNaturalScienceFoundationofChina (No .59772 0 1 9)
文摘Pervoskite type oxides LaCoO 3 was prepared by citrate method with the granula of 20 nm-30 nm. With a fluorescent Hg lamp or sunlight as irradiator, the degradation experiments of various water soluble dyes were carried out in the suspension system of LaCoO 3 . The results show that the pervoskite type oxide LaCoO 3 has good photocatalytic activity.Studied by X ray photoelectron spectroscopy and photoacoustic spectra, its photocatalytic activity is found to be related with factors such as the d electron structure of ion Co 3+ ,Co—O binding energy and adsorbed oxygen on the surface etc.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (40901115,31070548,31170578)the Foundation of Fujian Province (2009J01207)~~
文摘[Objective] The extraction efficiency of soluble nitrogen in common moun- tain red soil under different conditions was analyzed to provide experimental refer- ences for the extraction of soil soluble nitrogen. [Method] The fresh soil and air-dried soil, which were the common mountain red soil under evergreen broad-leaved forest vegetation, were used as the experimental materials. The 2 mol/L KCI and 0.5 mol/L K2SO4 were used as the extractants to extract the soil soluble nitrogen with the extractant-to-soil volume ratio at 4:1, 6:1 and 10:1, respectively, to examine the extrac- tion efficiency of soluble nitrogen in the experimental soil with different extraction conditions. [Result] Compared with K2SO4, the NH4+-N extracted by KCI was better in quantity and stability; while only at high extractant-to-soil volume ratio could K2SO4 fully extract the soil NH4+-N. The 2 extractants showed small difference in extracting NO3--N, but at low extractant-to-soil volume ratio, the stability of NO3--N extracted by KCI was higher than that extracted by K2SO4. The properties of NO2- -N extracted by the 2 extractants were very similar. As for soil SON extraction, there was small dif- ference between the 2 extractants. However, the SON extracted by KCI was fewer in quantity than that by K2SO4, but had higher stability, and the extracted SON amount of the 2 extractants showed significant correlation. The extractant-to-soil ratio had little effect on MBN extraction using K2SO4, but the effect was significant when using KCI to extract MBN. The difference between the extraction efficiency of KCI and K^SO4 in extracting fresh soils was greater than that in extracting air-dried soil; therefore, the extractants should be carefully selected in soluble nitrogen extraction from fresh soil. [Conclusion] The results lay the experimental foundation for improving the extraction efficiency of soil soluble nitrogen and increasing the comparability of measurement results.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 40706050, 40706048 and 30700619)the National Science & Technology Pillar Program (No. 2006BAD01A13 and 2008BAC49B04)+2 种基金National special fund for transgenic project (No. 2009ZX08009-019B)Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province (No. 2009ZRA02075)and Qingdao Municipal Science and Technology plan project (No. 09-2-5-8-hy)
文摘Total soluble proteins of different life stages, filamentous sporophytes cultivated in high temperatures, and blade gametophytes harvested in different seasons, were identified by SDS-PAGE. The types and amounts of expressed proteins also varied amongst the samples. The fewest soluble proteins were present in filamentous sporophytes. There were more types and amounts of soluble protein in conchospores than in filamentous sporophytes, but fewer than in bulgy sporophytes. More types of protein were detected in filamentous sporophytes cultivated in high temperatures than in those growing in normal situations. The most types and amounts of protein were found in blade gametophytes in all samples. Blade gametophytes harvested last year and stored at -20 ℃ showed only minor differences in expression of proteins when compared with those harvested in different seasons.
文摘[Objective] The research aimed to provide theoretical basis for the cultivation and production of peach.[Method] The three-year-old seedling peach tree was used as the materials,and NH4NO3 was used as the experimental nitrogen fertilizer.Three nitrogen levels,0,3,6 g per pot respectively were set to study the effects of different nitrogen fertilizer on the contents of soluble sugar,starch and internal structure of the root of the peaches.[Result] The contents of soluble sugar of roots and leaves increased with the increase of nitrogen fertilizer level,and the level of 6 g per pot was the highest,which showed extreme differences between the level of 3 g per pot and the control.However,starch contents showed opposite results,which decreased as the level of nitrogen fertilizer increased.Compared with the 3 g per pot level of nitrogen fertilizer and the control,the internal structure of root applied with nitrogen fertilizer of 6 g per pot level had larger fibrovascularcylinder,advanced vascular bundle,small-spaced thin-walled cells,smooth and full cells with smooth cell wall.[Conclusion]Appropriate nitrogen levels can accelerate the accumulation of soluble sugar and the growth of root tissue structure.
基金National Nature Science Foundation of China (30571476, 30771703)
文摘Soluble organic nitrogen (SON) is recognized as a sensitive indicator of soil nitrogen status. The present work was conducted in the temperate forests of northeast China where soils are typically characterized by high organic matter and high organic nitrogen content, and soil sampling was made in early spring just after the freeze-thaw period. The water extracted SON pools in the organic layer of forest soils were measured within the range from 156.0 mg·kg^-1 to 292.6 mg·kg^-1, a similar magnitude of salt solution extracted SON pools reported in literatures. However, the water soluble SON pools in 0-15 cm mineral soils in present study were much higher (3-10 times) than any other reports, ranging from 58.6 mg·kg^-1 to 125.2 mg·kg^-1. Water soluble SON varied markedly among the soils under different forests and at different sites. The SON in water extracts were positively and significantly correlated to soil organic matter and total nitrogen contents, but negatively correlated to microbial biomass nitrogen (MBN). The reasons of the abnormally large SON pools and the negative correlations between SON and MBN in the 0-15cm mineral soils in this study were specially discussed.
文摘Hydrophobically associating water-soluble polymers (HPAP) have been synthesized from acrylamide(AM), acrylate (AA), 2-acrylamido-2-methyl propane sulfonic acid (AMPS) and hydrophobic monomer (AP) in aqueous solution by radical polymerization. New polymer drilling fluids are made up of HPAP, which is used as viscosifiers and encapsulation agents. Properties of this system are reported in this paper. Results indicate that this system has a high value of yield point to plastic viscosity (YP/PV≥0.7), high viscosity at a low-shear rate (LSRV≥30000mPa·s), excellent shear thinning behavior, good solid-carrying behavior, resistance to shear, good thermal stability (as high as 140℃) and salt resistance. The system has excellent behavior in high-density solution of NaCl and in calcium and magnesium rich saline solutions. Hence, HPAP also can be used in saltwater polymer drilling fluids.
文摘The solvent debinding of water soluble binder in powder injection moulding (MIM) was investigated systematically, including the effects of solvent types, temperature and the thickness of green parts on the solvent debinding rate. After studying the debinding of a green part with a thickness of 4.26 mm, it was found that, the debinding rate of polyethylene glycol(PEG) in water and alcohol was high initially, and then decreased; however, it would increase with temperature increasing. At room temperature, the dissolution rate of PEG in water was higher than that in alcohol, but the latter would be much faster with temperature increasing because the debinding activation energy in alcohol was 51.44 kJ·mol -1 ·K -1 , much higher than 24.23 kJ·mol -1 ·K -1 in water. With a green part thickness larger than 4.26 mm, the debinding was controlled by diffusion; but with that smaller than 2.36 mm, the debinding was controlled by both dissolution and diffusion.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31060174,30660084)the Natural Science Foundation of Inner Mongolia,China(2010ZD07,200607010301)+1 种基金the Technology System of Agricultural Industry of China(CARS-08-B-5)the Item of Science Innovation Team of Inner Mongolia Agricultural University(NDTD2010-8)
文摘Alkali stress can cause severe crop damage and reduce production. However, physiological processes involved in alkali stress in oat seedlings are not well understood. In this study, physiological responses and yield of oat to alkali stress were studied using the alkali-tolerant oat genotype Vao-9 and the alkali-sensitive oat genotype Baiyan 5. The results were: (i) low concentrations of alkali stress (25 and 50 mmol L^-1) significantly reduced the yield and grain weight while increased the oat grain number per spike. A negative correlation between yield and malondialdehyde (MDA) content at the jointing and grain filling stages and positive correlations between yield on one hand and superoxide dismutase (SOD), and peroxidase (POD) activities on the other at the jointing stage were observed. There was a positive correlation between MDA and soluble sugar at the grain filling stage; (ii) soluble sugar content was increased at the jointing and grain filling stages and decreased at the heading stage by alkali stress; (iii) alkali stress increased the SOD activity during the heading and grain filling stages, and increased the POD activity at the heading stage. As compared to the control, the increase of MDA contents in alkali-treated oat was observed, during the jointing, heading and grain filling stages; (iv) under alkali stress, the oat genotype Vao-9 showed higher antioxidant enzyme activity and lower soluble sugar contents during the heading stage, and lower MDA contents than those in the oat genotype Baiyan 5 under alkali stress. The result suggested that the high ROS scavenging capacity and soluble sugar levels might play roles in oat response to alkali stress,
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 50621140001, 50708089)the High-Tech Research and Development Program (863) of China (No. 2006AA06Z328).
文摘Fluidized pellet bed (FPB) has been successfully applied in water and wastewater treatment. However, the removal mechanism of contaminants especially the soluble ones, is still unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of FPB reactor for removing soluble contaminants from synthetic wastewater. By only coagulation through jar test operation with addition of polyaluminium chloride (PAC1) as primary coagulant and polyacryamide (PAM) as coagulant-aid, the removals of soluble chemical oxygen demand (COD), total phosphorus (TP), and NH4^+-N were found to be only 2.2%-7.5%, 5.7%-25.5%, and 9.9%-18.5%, respectively. However, by FPB operation under the same dosage of coagulants, these values increased to 82.7%, 37.2%, and 50%, indicating that the formation of pellets in the FPB effectively enhanced the removal of soluble contaminants. By careful comparison of the settleablility and filterability of the pollutants after coagulation, the originally soluble contaminants could be divided into three groups, namely: (1) coagulated-and- settleable, (2) coagulated-but-nonsettleable, and (3) uncoagulable. It was found that not only the first two groups but also a large part of the third group could be effectively removed by FPB operation. However, the mechanism for the removal of the uncoagulable pollutants by FPB operation still needs further investigation.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 20777004)
文摘Fungi and their symbionts can alleviate heavy metal stress by exuding soluble proteins and enzymes. This study examined the role of soluble protein and acid phosphatase (APase) exuded by Xerocomus chrysenteron, an ectomycorrhizal fungus, and the seedlings of its symbiont, Chinese pine (Pinus tabulaeformis), under conditions of excessive Cu and Cd. The growth type showed that this poorly studied ectomycorrhizal fungus was capable of tolerating high concentrations of Cu, and may be useful in phytoremediation. X. chrysenteron grew well at 80 mg/L Cu, and the EC50 for Cd was 17.82 mg/L. X. chrysenteron also showed enhanced exudation of soluble protein in both isolated and inoculated cultivations under the influence of Cu and Cd. Soluble protein exudation, however, differed under Cu and Cd stress in isolates. In mediums containing Cu, soluble protein exudation increased with concentration, but in mediums containing Cd the content of soluble protein increased to a comparable level at all concentrations. This study demonstrated that soluble protein was related to heavy metal tolerance, although the different ions played different roles. While APase activity in exudates of fungi and seedlings decreased under Cu and Cd stress in comparison to the control, the APase activity in seedlings was maintained by inoculation. Thus, X. chrysenteron facilitated the ability of plant to maintain a normal nutrient uptake, and therefore to protect it from heavy metal toxicity.