Temperature rather than N availability determines root exudation of alpine coniferous forests on the eastern Tibetan Plateau along elevation gradients.

Root exudation fulfills fundamental roles in regulating carbon (C)-nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems, yet the main ecological drivers of root exudation and underlying mechanisms in forests under natural gradients remain poorly understood. Here, we investigated the intraspecific variation of root exudation rates in two alpine coniferous forests (Abies faxoniana Rehder et Wilson and Abies georgei Orr) along two elevation gradients on the eastern Tibetan Plateau. Meanwhile, the fine root traits and associated climate and soil parameters were assessed to examine the effects of elevation-dependent changes in climatic and soil nutrient conditions on root exudation.

Thiophanate-methyl resistance in Sclerotinia homoeocarpa from golf courses in China.

Sclerotinia homoeocarpa causes dollar spot disease on many turfgrass species and is a significant problem worldwide. Thiophanate-methyl (TM), a methyl benzimidazole carbamate (MBC) fungicide, has been used for over forty years to manage dollar spot. Here we describe genetic mutations linked to three distinct TM fungicide resistance phenotypes: sensitive (S), moderately resistant (MR) and highly resistant (HR).

Effects of biochar and nitrogen addition on nutrient and Cd uptake of Cichorium intybus grown in acidic soil.

Biochar is an organic amendment used for soil remediation, there are only a few studies documenting the effects of nitrogen on the role of biochar in contaminated soils. A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the impacts of biochar (0%, 1%, and 2.5%, w/w) and nitrogen (0, 100, and 200 mg N kg) on plant growth, nutrient and cadmium (Cd) uptake of Cichorium intybus.

Effects of different fertilizers on growth and nutrient uptake of Lolium multiflorum grown in Cd-contaminated soils.

This study aimed to explore the effects of different fertilizers and their combinations on growth and nutrient and Cd uptake of Lolium multiflorum. Compared with control treatment, chemical fertilizer, organic manure, and their conjunctions with biofertilizer increased shoot biomass. Biofertilizers were found to cause significant reductions in shoot biomass of plants grown in organic manure-treated and control soil.

The pretreatment thrombocytosis may predict prognosis of patients with colorectal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Aim: Recently, several studies have reported that thrombocytosis may be associated with the poor prognosis of colorectal cancer (CRC). Nevertheless, their conclusions were still controversial. Results & methodology: We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and Web of Science up to April 2016.

The prognostic role of pretreatment platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio as predictors in patients with colorectal cancer: a meta-analysis.

Aim: This meta-analysis was designed to analyze and evaluate the prognostic role of preoperative or pretreatment platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC).

Method: We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database and WanFang Database up to April 2016.

Results: A total of 16 studies (n = 5068 participants) were included for this meta-analysis.

Fourier transform infrared investigation on the state of water in reverse micelles of quaternary ammonium gemini surfactants C12-s-C(12).2Br in n-heptane.

The state of water in the reverse micelles of C12-s-C(12).2Br homologues has been investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The results showed that the solubilized water had four states: the quaternary ammonium head-group-bound, the Br--bound, the bulklike, and the free water.