Measurement of contaminant adsorption on soils using cycling modified column tests.

An innovative cycled column test with supporting batch equilibrium and kinetic analysis for adsorption or desorption were developed for evaluation of adsorption behavior of soils. Non-equilibrium adsorption was observed in the cycled column tests as the traditional testing methods. The isotherm of local equilibrium of the soil was conducted based on the testing results within a relatively short duration with simple analysis.

Coupling phytoremediation efficiency and detoxification to assess the role of P in the Cu tolerant Ricinus communis L.

Phosphorous (P) fertilization is an important agronomic practice, but its role in enhancing phytoremediation efficacy and mediating detoxification has rarely been reported in environmental remediation studies. In this study, a pot experiment was undertaken to assess: firstly, the effect of P on phytoextraction of Cu by Ricinus communis L.; secondly, the potential mechanisms by differentiating the effects of the plant from that of P fertilizer (Ca(HPO)); and thirdly, the role of P in physiological detoxification.

Contributions of root cell wall polysaccharides to Cu sequestration in castor (Ricinus communis L.) exposed to different Cu stresses.

Cell wall polysaccharides play a vital role in binding with toxic metals such as copper (Cu) ions. However, it is still unclear whether the major binding site of Cu in the cell wall varies with different degrees of Cu stresses. Moreover, the contribution of each cell wall polysaccharide fraction to Cu sequestration with different degrees of Cu stresses also remains to be verified.

Influence of nitrogen forms and application rates on the phytoextraction of copper by castor bean (Ricinus communis L.).

Fertilization is an important agricultural strategy for enhancing the efficiency of phytoremediation in copper (Cu)-contaminated soils. In this study, the effects of nitrogen (N) forms, including ammonium (NH-N) and nitrate (NO-N), on the growth, translocation, and accumulation of Cu in the tissues of Ricinus communis L. were investigated in pot and hydroponic experiments.

Predictors of extubation outcomes following myasthenic crisis.

Objective Myasthenic crisis (MC) is considered the most severe adverse event in patients with myasthenia gravis. The present retrospective study was performed to evaluate the predictors of clinical outcomes in patients with MC. Methods The medical charts of 33 patients (19 women, 14 men) with 76 MC attacks from 2002 to 2014 were retrospectively reviewed.

Clinical Outcomes of Thymectomy in Myasthenia Gravis Patients with a History of Crisis.

Background: The use of thymectomy in myasthenia gravis (MG) patients with a history of myasthenic crisis (MC) has not been well established. Here, we determined the efficacy of thymectomy by assessing the long-term clinical outcomes and reviewed thymectomy reports on MC patients.

Methods: Subjects included 31 patients who suffered at least one crisis before surgery, with a cumulative total 73 episodes of MC in Southern China between May 2000 and December 2010.

Organic acids, amino acids compositions in the root exudates and Cu-accumulation in castor (Ricinus communis L.) Under Cu stress.

Ricinus communis L. is a hyperaccumulation plant newly discovered in an abandoned land of Cu mine in China. A hydroponic experiment was then carried out to determine the root exudates in the Cu-tolerant castor (Ricinus communis L.

The tumor suppressive role of NUMB isoform 1 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Esophageal quamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is the predominant histological type of esophageal carcinoma in Asian populations. To date, few biomarkers have been identified for ESCC. In present study, we found a tumor suppressor, NUMB isoform 1 (NUMB-1), as a promising prognostic biomarker for patients with ESCC.