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Sci Total Environ 2021 Mar 29;782:146819. Epub 2021 Mar 29.

Deakin University, Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, 221 Burwood Hwy, Burwood, VIC 3125, Australia.

Wetland ecosystems are critical to the regulation of the global carbon cycle, and there is a high demand for data to improve carbon sequestration and emission models and predictions. Decomposition of plant litter is an important component of ecosystem carbon cycling, yet a lack of knowledge on decay rates in wetlands is an impediment to predicting carbon preservation. Here, we aim to fill this knowledge gap by quantifying the decomposition of standardised green and rooibos tea litter over one year within freshwater and coastal wetland soils across four climates in Australia. Read More

Sci Total Environ 2021 Mar 24;782:146692. Epub 2021 Mar 24.

Chrono-environnement UMR6249, CNRS, Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, F-25000 Besançon, France; Université de Lorraine, Faculté des Sciences et Technologies, 54000 Nancy, France.

Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica L.) raises growing interest in phytomanagement because it commonly grows under poplar Short Rotation Coppices (SRC) set up at trace-metal (TM) contaminated sites and provides high-quality herbaceous fibres. The mycobiome of this non-mycorhizal plant and its capacity to adapt to TM-contaminated environments remains unknown. Read More

J Food Prot 2021 Apr 9. Epub 2021 Apr 9.

Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Food and Drug Administration, College Park, Maryland.

Leafy greens contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) have continued to cause foodborne illness outbreaks in recent years and present a threat to public health. An important component of foodborne illness outbreak investigations is determining the source of the outbreak vehicle through traceback investigations. The Food and Drug Administration is home to traceback investigation experts that employ a standardized process to initiate, execute, and interpret the results of traceback investigations in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state and local partners. Read More

Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 2021 Apr 9. Epub 2021 Apr 9.

Department of Environmental Management, International Business College Mitrovica, Bislim Bajgora nn, 40000, Mitrovica, Kosovo.

This study assesses the total concentration of eight toxic metals As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn in the soil and plant of Salix purpurea samples collected from Mitrovica mining region in Kosovo. The concentration, accumulation and transfer from soil to roots, stem and leaves were assessed using bioconcentration factor (BCF) and translocation factor (TF). The total metal content in the soil and plant was high following the trend of Zn > Pb > Ni > Cd > Cu > As > Co > Cr. Read More

Biomed Res Int 2021 24;2021:8831080. Epub 2021 Mar 24.

School of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, China.

The demand for American ginseng, a famous traditional medicine and high-grade healthy food, has increased dramatically over recent years. However, only the main root is popular among consumers, whereas other parts of American ginseng are rarely available in the market. In this study, the contents of 5 major ginsenosides (Re, Rc, Rg, Rd, and Rb) were determined through high-performance liquid chromatography. Read More

Front Oncol 2021 23;11:628743. Epub 2021 Mar 23.

Department of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.

Background: Radiotherapy for head and neck cancer may cause various oral sequelae, such as radiation-induced mucositis. To protect healthy tissue from irradiation, intraoral devices can be used. Current tissue retraction devices (TRDs) have to be either individually manufactured at considerable cost and time expenditure or they are limited in their variability. Read More

Front Microbiol 2021 23;12:643904. Epub 2021 Mar 23.

Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States.

Microbes can colonize plant roots to modulate plant health and environmental fitness. Thus, using microbes to improve plant adaptation to biotic and abiotic stresses will be promising to abate the heavy reliance of management systems on synthetic chemicals and limited resource. This is particularly important for turfgrass systems because intensive management for plant available nutrients (e. Read More

J Orthop Surg (Hong Kong) 2021 Jan-Apr;29(1):23094990211003350

Gansu Key Laboratory of Orthopaedics, Department of Orthopedics, 74713Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu, People's Republic of China.

Purpose: To report of efficacy repair treatment for meniscus posterior root tears repair.

Methods: We systematically searched databases including PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library for relevant articles. Coleman Methodology Score was used for a quality assessment of the included studies. Read More

Zhonghua Kou Qiang Yi Xue Za Zhi 2021 Apr;56(4):324-328

Department of Prosthodontics, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & National Engineering Laboratory for Digital and Material Technology of Stomatology & Beijing Key Laboratory of Digital Stomatology, Beijing 100081, China.

To test the reproducibility of the visual analogue scale (VAS) used in the evaluation of the esthetic effect of anterior dental implants, and to explore the factors that affect the correlation between VAS and pink esthetic score/white esthetic score (PES/WES). From January 2018 to August 2019, a total of 108 doctors and patients were recruited in the Department of Prosthodontics, Implantology and Fourth Clinical Division of Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology. Among them, there were 35 dental implant specialists who were familiar with PES/WES [implant specialist group, 25 males, 10 females, (37. Read More

Med Sci Sports Exerc 2021 Apr 7. Epub 2021 Apr 7.

Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health (SCIBIS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy IRCSS Galeazzi Orthopedic Institute, Milan, Italy.

Purpose: The current study investigated the effects of unilateral passive stretching on the neuromuscular mechanisms involved in the force-generating capacity of the contralateral muscle.

Methods: Twenty-six healthy men underwent unilateral passive stretching of the plantar flexors (5 x 45-s on+15s-off, total stretching time: 225 s). Before and after the stretching protocol, contralateral ankle range of motion (ROM), maximum isometric voluntary contraction (MVC) of the plantar flexors, and electromyographic root mean square (sEMG RMS) of the soleus and the gastrocnemii muscles were determined. Read More

PLoS One 2021 8;16(4):e0249636. Epub 2021 Apr 8.

Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, United Kingdom.

Ryegrasses (Lolium spp.) and fescues (Festuca spp.) are closely related and widely cultivated perennial forage grasses. Read More

PLoS Genet 2021 Apr 8;17(4):e1009428. Epub 2021 Apr 8.

School of Life Sciences, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom.

Chronic pain is highly prevalent worldwide and imparts a significant socioeconomic and public health burden. Factors influencing susceptibility to, and mechanisms of, chronic pain development, are not fully understood, but sex is thought to play a significant role, and chronic pain is more prevalent in women than in men. To investigate sex differences in chronic pain, we carried out a sex-stratified genome-wide association study of Multisite Chronic Pain (MCP), a derived chronic pain phenotype, in UK Biobank on 178,556 men and 209,093 women, as well as investigating sex-specific genetic correlations with a range of psychiatric, autoimmune and anthropometric phenotypes and the relationship between sex-specific polygenic risk scores for MCP and chronic widespread pain. Read More

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2021 Apr 8. Epub 2021 Apr 8.

Beijing Normal University, No. 19, Xinjiekouwai Street, Haidian, Beijing, 100875, People's Republic of China.

Soil pollution due to potentially toxic elements is a worldwide challenge for health and food security. Chelate-assisted phytoextraction along with the application of plant growth regulators (PGRs) could increase the phytoremediation efficiency of metal-contaminated soils. The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of different PGRs [Gibberellic acid (GA) and indole acetic acid (IAA)] and synthetic chelator (EDTA) on growth parameters and Cd phytoextraction potential of Dysphania ambrosioides (L. Read More

Eur J Neurosci 2021 Apr 7. Epub 2021 Apr 7.

Department of Neurosurgery, Gandak Hospital, Birgunj, Nepal.

Ischemia or brain injuries are mostly associated with emergency admissions and huge mortality rates. Stroke is a fatal cerebrovascular malady and second top root of disability and death in both developing and developed countries with a projected rise of 24.9% (from 2010) by 2030. Read More

Ecology 2021 Apr 7:e03361. Epub 2021 Apr 7.

Division of Biological Sciences and the Institute on Ecosystems, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, 59812, USA.

The plastic responses of plants to abiotic and biotic environmental factors have generally been addressed separately, thus we have a poor understanding of how these factors interact. For example, little is known about the effects of plant-plant interactions on the plasticity of plants in response to water availability. Furthermore, few studies have compared the effects of intra- and interspecific interactions on plastic responses to abiotic factors. Read More

Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2021 Apr 7. Epub 2021 Apr 7.

Plant Biology and Systematics, CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Research Centre, Bengaluru, 560065, India.

Decalepis salicifolia (Bedd. ex. Hook. Read More

J Nematol 2020 13;52. Epub 2021 Jan 13.

University of Georgia, Department of Crop and Soil Sciences and Institute of Plant Breeding, Genetics, and Genomics, Tifton, GA 31793.

Cotton is widely grown in the southern US and is its most significant pathogen. The germplasm line M-120 RNR is highly resistant to due to two resistance QTLs (quantitative trait loci), and . Both QTLs reduce total egg production, but the QTLs affect development at different life stages. Read More

J Nematol 2020 9;52. Epub 2021 Jan 9.

Wageningen University & Research BU Greenhouse Horticulture & Flower Bulbs.

Root-knot nematodes ( spp.) are a major problem in soil-based glasshouse-grown chrysanthemums. To combat root-knot nematodes in the glasshouse, the soil is typically steamed every 5-6 production cycles. Read More

Front Cardiovasc Med 2021 22;8:640970. Epub 2021 Mar 22.

Section of Cardiovascular and Renal Research, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.

One-year mortality after hip fractures is underestimated and is reported as 25%. An improved risk stratifying could contribute to a better follow up of these patients. Heart Rate Variability (HRV) is an easy point-of-care investigation and is been used in cardiology, endocrinology, and perioperative care. Read More

BMC Med Educ 2021 Apr 7;21(1):198. Epub 2021 Apr 7.

Department of Surgical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, Kuwait University, Health Sciences Centre, Safat, Kuwait.

Background: To evaluate the self-confidence of undergraduate dental students in relation to oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS) to assess the teaching curriculum at Kuwait University using a validated questionnaire originally developed by the Association of British Academic Oral Maxillofacial Surgeons (ABAOMS).

Methods: A cross-sectional survey of sixth year (n = 20) and seventh year (n = 19) dentistry students was conducted by Kuwait University Faculty of Dentistry between the 1st and 15th of May 2020. The ABAOMS questionnaire is composed of 17 questions assessing various areas of the undergraduate OMFS curriculum. Read More

Environ Res 2021 Apr 4:111098. Epub 2021 Apr 4.

Cooperative Research Centre of Environmental Sciences, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/A, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary; Centre for Ecological Research, Danube Research Institute, Karolina út 29-31, H-1113 Budapest, Hungary. Electronic address:

This study was carried out to determine the effect of arsenic on tomato and cabbage cultivated in sand, sandy silt, and silt soil, and irrigated with water containing arsenic at concentrations 0.05 and 0.2 mg/L. Read More

Acta Neurochir (Wien) 2021 Apr 7. Epub 2021 Apr 7.

Department of Otology, Auditory Implants and Skull Base Surgery, Sorbonne Université-APHP6, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, 75013, Paris, France.

Background: Decision-making for large sporadic vestibular schwannomas (VS) resection guided by the intraoperative change in supramaximal facial nerve (FN) amplitude and latency response to optimize post-operative FN outcome.

Methods: Prospectively study of 43 patients, from January to December 2018, of large sporadic VS with preoperative normal FN function at our center. Tumors were removed through retrosigmoid (81%) or translabyrinthine (19%) approaches with FN monitoring. Read More

Int J Phytoremediation 2021 Apr 7:1-10. Epub 2021 Apr 7.

Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Jiroft, Jiroft, Iran.

This study was carried out to evaluate Cu uptake, mobility, and accumulation in and define the physiological strategy it employs under copper stress conditions. The experiment was performed at concentration levels from 12, 100, 150, 200, 250, and 300 mg Cu/kg in pod soil. The metal concentrations in roots, tubers, and root organs and the translocation factor (TF), total soluble sugars (TSS), and biomass production were evaluated. Read More

J Tradit Chin Med 2021 04;41(2):293-300

Bursa Uludag University, Faculty of Science and Arts, Department of Chemistry, Bursa 16059, Turkey.

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of methanol-water extract of Inula helenium root against oxidative DNA damage.

Methods: Antioxidant properties of methanol-water extract of Inula helenium root were revealed by 2,2'-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-suphonic acid) di-ammonium salt (ABTS), Folin-Ciocalteu and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methods. The effect against oxidative DNA base damage was determined analyzing oxidative DNA base damage products by GC-MS/MS. Read More

J Craniovertebr Junction Spine 2020 Oct-Dec;11(4):254-261. Epub 2020 Nov 26.

Department of Neurosurgery, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.

Extradural spinal nerve root hemangioblastoma is a rare entity with very few cases reported in the literature. A comprehensive picture of the treatments and outcomes of the same is thus not available. A systematic search was done according to PRISMA guidelines. Read More

Clin Oral Investig 2021 Apr 6. Epub 2021 Apr 6.

Department of Orthodontics, The Institute of Craniofacial Deformity, College of Dentistry, Yonsei University, 50-1 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Korea.

Objectives: This study investigated the association of changes in cementum protein-1 (CEMP-1), dentine phosphoprotein (DPP), and c-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX-I) levels in human gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) under constant load with external root resorption volume and amount of tooth movement.

Materials And Methods: In total, 11 healthy adult patients (mean age, 23.5 years [range, 18. Read More

J Hand Ther 2021 Jan 14. Epub 2021 Jan 14.

Postgraduate Program in Physical Education, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil; Postgraduate Program in Adult Health, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil. Electronic address:

Background: The Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) is a measuring instrument for pain and disability in patients with shoulder dysfunction. However, its structure is controversial (ie, 1 or 2 domains).

Purpose: To investigate the structural validity of the Brazilian version of the SPADI in patients with chronic shoulder pain. Read More

BMC Plant Biol 2021 Apr 5;21(1):165. Epub 2021 Apr 5.

College of life Sciences, Shihezi University, Shihezi City, 832003, Xinjiang, China.

Background: To decipher the root and microbial interaction, secondary metabolite accumulation in roots and the microbial community's succession model during the plant's growth period demands an in-depth investigation. However, till now, no comprehensive study is available on the succession of endophytic fungi and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) with roots of medicinal licorice plants and the effects of endophytic fungi and AMF on the secondary metabolite accumulation in licorice plant's root.

Results: In the current study, interaction between root and microbes in 1-3 years old medicinal licorice plant's root and rhizospheric soil was investigated. Read More

Phytomedicine 2021 Mar 2;85:153535. Epub 2021 Mar 2.

Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Natural Products, College of Pharmacy, and International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Chinese Ministry of Education (MOE), Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China. Electronic address:

Background: Quality control exerted great importance on the clinical application of drugs for ensuring effectiveness and safety. Due to chemical complexity, diversity among different producing areas and harvest seasons, as well as unintentionally mixed with non-medicinal parts, the current quality standards of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) still faced challenges in evaluating the overall chemical consistency.

Purpose: We aimed to develop a new strategy to discover potential quality marker (Q-marker) of TCM by integrating plant metabolomics and network pharmacology, using Periplocae Cortex (GP, the dried root bark of Periploca sepium Bge. Read More

Genomics 2021 Apr 2;113(3):1579-1588. Epub 2021 Apr 2.

Biotechnology Research Center, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Ecology and Physiology, Jinan 250100, People's Republic of China; College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, People's Republic of China. Electronic address:

The perennial ornamental peanut Arachis glabrata represents one of the most adaptable wild Arachis species. This study used PacBio combined with BGISEQ-500 RNA-seq technology to study the transcriptome and gene expression dynamics of A. glabrata. Read More