N labeling technology reveals enhancement of nitrogen uptake and transfer by root interaction in cotton/soybean intercropping.

Background: Biological nitrogen fixation in legumes and their transfer of nitrogen to non-legumes in legume/non-legume intercropping systems are considered to be important for the improvement of productivity. However, research on interspecific interaction and root nitrogen transfer in cotton/soybean intercropping systems has rarely been undertaken. In this study, the roots of cotton and soybean were separated with either complete root barriers (CB), using plastic film, or semi-root barriers (SB), using nylon net.

The prevalence and the effect of interferon -γ in the comorbidity of rheumatoid arthritis and depression.

Background: Depression is the most common comorbidities associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We aimed to explore the mechanism of association between RA and depression.

Methods: 120 subjects were enrolled and depression was diagnosed and assessed using DSM-5 and 24-item version of Hamilton Depression Scale.

Triptolide regulates oxidative stress and inflammation leading to hepatotoxicity via inducing CYP2E1.

Triptolide (TP), the main active compound extracted from medicine- (TWHF). It has anti-tumor and immunomodulatory properties. Our study aimed to investigate the mechanisms of hepatotoxicity treated with TP as well as their relationship with the NF-κB (p65) signal pathway; and to assess TP-induced hepatotoxicity after CYP2E1 modulation by the known inhibitor, clomethiazole, and the known inducer, pyrazole.

The effect of atmospheric particulates on the rainwater chemistry in the Yangtze River Delta, China.

To investigate the effect of atmospheric particulates on the chemistry and acidity of rainwater during the washout process in areas with highly acidic rainfall, rainwater and particulates (before, during and after rain) were sampled and analyzed from June 2008 to June 2009 in the Yangtze River Delta region, China. The volume-weighted mean pH of the rainwater was only 4.44 in Hangzhou, and the average concentrations of TSP (total-suspended particulates) and PM (particulates with aerodynamic equivalent diameters of less than 10 μm) during the study period were 191 μg/m and 155 μg/m, respectively.

Chemical composition of precipitation and its sources in Hangzhou, China.

To understand the origin and chemical characteristics of precipitation in Hangzhou, rainwater samples were collected from June 2006 to May 2008. All samples were analyzed for pH, electrical conductivity, and major ions (NH⁴⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, SO₄²⁻, NO₃⁻, F⁻, and Cl⁻). Acidification of precipitation in Hangzhou was serious with volume-weighted mean pH value of 4.

Performance of Anammox granular sludge bed reactor started up with nitrifying granular sludge.

The anaerobic ammonia oxidation (Anammox) granular sludge bed reactor was started up successfully with nitrifying granular sludge. During the operation, the nitrifying granular sludge was gradually converted into Anammox granular sludge with good settling property and high conversion activity. The Anammox reactor worked well with the shortest HRT of 2.

Start-up of anaerobic ammonia oxidation bioreactor with nitrifying activated sludge.

The anaerobic ammonia oxidation(Anammox) bioreactor was successfully started up with the nitrifying activated sludge. After anaerobically operated for 105 d, the bioreactor reached a good performance with removal percentage of both ammonia and nitrite higher than 95% and volumetric total nitrogen removal as high as 149.55 mmol/( L.

[Performance of internal-loop air-lift nitrifying bioreactor].

The performance of internal-loop air-lift nitrifying bioreactor was good with strong tolerance to influent ammonia concentration (78.49 mmol/L), high volume converting rate (163.18 mmol/L.