Molecular Epidemiological Characteristics of Hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae in Yakeshi City, Hulunbuir, China.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the molecular epidemiological characteristics of hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae (hvKp) in Yakeshi City, Hulunbuir, China, analyze the resistance of hvKp to commonly used antibiotics, explore independent risk factors for hvKp infection, and provide a research basis for anti-infection treatment.

Methods: In total, 519 strains of K. pneumoniae, identified by the Inner Mongolia Forestry General Hospital from January 2020 to December 2022, were collected, and high-viscosity (HMV-Kp) and non-HMV-Kp strains were differentiated using string test.

Seed development in Paeonia ostii (Paeoniaceae), with particular reference to embryogeny.

Background: Seeds of Paeonia ostii have been proposed as a source of raw material for the production of edible oil; however, lack of information about the developmental biology of the seeds hampers our ability to use them. Our aim was to investigate development of the seed coat, endosperm and embryo of P. ostii in relation to timing of accumulation of nutrient reserves from pollination to seed maturity.

Achene heteromorphism in (Asteraceae): differences in germination and possible adaptive significance.

(Asteraceae), a noxious weed in many ecosystems worldwide, produces large amounts of heteromorphic (central and peripheral) achenes. The primary aims of the present study were to compare the morphological, dormancy/germination characteristics of dimorphic achenes. Temperatures simulating those in the natural habitat of were used to test for primary dormancy and germination behaviour of fresh central and peripheral achenes.

Bioaccumulation and Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in the Soil-Rice System in a Typical Seleniferous Area in Central China.

Heavy metals are rich in seleniferous areas; however, the bioaccumulation and health risk of heavy metals are poorly understood, given the fact that selenium (Se) can inhibit the phytotoxicity and bioavailability of many heavy metals. The present study investigated the bioaccumulation of heavy metals in the soil-rice system in the Enshi seleniferous area of central China. Soils were contaminated by Mo, Cu, As, Sb, Zn, Cd, Tl, and Hg caused by the weathering of Se-rich shales.

A review of the seed biology of Paeonia species (Paeoniaceae), with particular reference to dormancy and germination.

Most Paeonia species have epicotyl dormancy. Germination of peony seeds requires warm stratification for embryo growth and radicle protrusion followed by cold stratification for epicotyl growth. The genus Paeonia (Paeoniaceae) includes many popular ornamentals, has colorful flowers and contains several Chinese medicinal species.

Maxent modeling for predicting the potential geographical distribution of two peony species under climate change.

Paeonia (Paeoniaceae), an economically important plant genus, includes many popular ornamentals and medicinal plant species used in traditional Chinese medicine. Little is known about the properties of the habitat distribution and the important eco-environmental factors shaping the suitability. Based on high-resolution environmental data for current and future climate scenarios, we modeled the present and future suitable habitat for P.

Soil and plant response to used potassium silicate drilling fluid application.

Use of drilling waste generated from the oil and gas industry for land reclamation has potential to be a practical and economical means to improve soil fertility and to decrease landfills. A four month greenhouse experiment with common barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) on three different textured soils was conducted to determine soil and plant response to incorporated or sprayed potassium silicate drilling fluid (PSDF).

Soil microbial response to waste potassium silicate drilling fluid.

Potassium silicate drilling fluids (PSDF) are a waste product of the oil and gas industry with potential for use in land reclamation. Few studies have examined the influence of PSDF on abundance and composition of soil bacteria and fungi. Soils from three representative locations for PSDF application in Alberta, Canada, with clay loam, loam and sand textures were studied with applications of unused, used once and used twice PSDF.