Biomedical subjects

Qi-Xing Zhou

Publications and source records attributed to Qi-Xing Zhou.

13 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Joint stress of chlorimuron-ethyl and cadmium on wheat Triticum aestivum at biochemical levels.

Biochemical responses to joint stress of chlorimuron-ethyl and cadmium (Cd) in wheat Triticum aestivum were examined. The joint action of chlorimuron-ethyl and Cd weakened the inhibition of Cd or chlorimuron-ethyl on the formation of chlorophyll. It was deduced that wheat plants had the capability to protect themselves by increasing the activity of the antioxidant enzyme peroxidase (POD) with the exposure time. The joint effect of chlorimuron-ethyl and Cd on the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in leaves was additive, while the joint effect on the SOD activity in roots was determined by the interaction of chlorimuron-ethyl and Cd in wheat. It was also concluded that the change of malondialdehyde (MDA) content in wheat might not be a good biomarker in the oxidative damage by chlorimuron-ethyl, while a decrease in the soluble protein content and POD activity in roots could be considered as a biomarker in the damage of wheat by chlorimuron-ethyl and Cd.

Antioxidants↗

PubMed2006

Phytoremediation of cadmium-contaminated soils by Rorippa globosa using two-phase planting.

BACKGROUND: Phytoextraction of contaminated soils by heavy metals can provide a great promise of commercial development. Although there are more than 400 species of hyperaccumulators found in the world, phytoremediation technology is rarely applied in field practice for remedying contaminated soils, partially due to low biomass and long growth duration for most of discovered hyperaccumulating plants. In order to enhance the metal-removing efficiency in a year, the two-phase planting countermeasure of phytoextraction by harvesting anthesis biomass was investigated on the basis of the newly found Cd-hyperaccumulator Rorippa globosa (Turcz.) Thell. with 107.0 and 150.1 mg/kg of the Cd accumulation in stems and leaves, respectively, when soil Cd added was concentrated to 25.0 mg/kg. METHODS: The field pot-culture experiment was used to observe the distribution property of R. globosa aboveground biomass and to examine characteristics of accumulating Cd by the plant at different growth stages. The concentration of Cd in plants and soils was determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The results indicated that the total dry stem and leaf biomass of R. globosa harvested at the flowering phase was up to 92.3% of that at its full maturity and the concentration of Cd in stems and leaves harvested at the flowering phase was up to 73.8% and 87.7% of that at the mature phase, respectively. The Cd-removing ratio by shoots of R. globosa harvested at the flowering phase was up to 71.4% of that at the mature phase. It was also found, by observing the growth duration of R. globosa, that the frostless period at the experiment site was twice as long as the growth time from the seedling-transplanted phase to the flowering phase of the hyperaccumulator. CONCLUSION: R. globosa could be transplanted into contaminated soils twice in one year by harvesting the hyperaccumulator at its flowering phase based on climatic conditions of the site and traits of the plant growth. In this sense, the extraction efficiency of Cd in shoots of R. globosa increased 42.8% compared to that of at its single maturity when the plant was transplanted into contaminated soils after it had been harvested at its flowering phase and the plant accumulated Cd from soil at the same extraction ratio at its second flowering phase. Thus, the method of anthesis biomass regulation by the two-phase planting is very significant to increase the Cd-removing efficiency by phytoremediation used in practice over the course of a year. RECOMMENDATION AND OUTLOOK: As for some hyperaccumulators that the growth duration from the seedling-transplanted phase to the flowering phase are short and the concentrations of heavy metals accumulated in their shoots at the flowering phase are high, the efficiency of phytoremediation can greatly be improved using the method of the two-phase planting.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗

PubMed2006

[Establishment of method for cytochrome P450 of earthworms (Eisenia fetida) as a biomarker].

Earthworm (Eisenia fetida) was chosen as test soil fauna to establish the method for determination of cytochrome P450 content. By means of thoroughly washing with salt solution, changing centrifugal acceleration and dissolving microsomal membranes of earthworms with sodium cholate, the determination of cytochrome P450 was performed. Base on the method, dynamic relationships of dose-response for cytochrome P450 contents in earthworm and phenanthrene concentrations were conducted by contact filter paper and soil contaminated with phenanthrene. Results indicate that cytochrome P450 are covered up by interferential material in earthworm, which makes the classic peak lag and appear at 455 - 457nm in the CO difference spectrum with a spectrophotometer. Through increasing centrifugal acceleration and adding reagent of solubilization, the interference is removed mostly and the classic peak of P450 returns to appear at 450nm +/- 1nm. The exposure tests of phenanthrene with contact filter paper (10(-6), 10(-5), 10(-4), 10(-3) and 10(-2) mg x mL(-1)) and soil (1, 2, 4 and 8 mg x kg(-1)) reveal that the dose-response relationships exist between the pollutant and cytochrome P450. Soil tests of different exposure durations (1, 3, 7, 14 and 28d) show the effects of different phenanthrene concentration on earthworm cytochrome P450 contents are to activate (7d) and to inhibit (14d and 28d), and the content of P450 is 0.99 - 1.41 and 0.77 - 0.88 (p < 0.05) times of control respectively. From this study, cytochrome P450 content of earthworm has the merit of simpleness, speediness and economy for determination, and it could be used as a sensitive biomarker for monitoring the exposure of sublethal pollution in terrestrial ecosystem.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Adsorption characteristics of pesticides methamidophos and glyphosate by two soils.

Contributions of organic matter and minerals in soil were evaluated by comparing changes in adsorption of methamidophos (MDP) and glyphosate (GPS) before and after removal of organic matter from argaltoll (mollisol) and typustalf (alfisol) soils. Adsorption isotherms of MDP and GPS by the two soils comforted to Freundlich equation, and the adsorption capacity of GPS by argaltoll soil was higher than that of MDP. Due to the removal of organic matter from soils, K(f) values of MDP and GPS adsorbed by argaltoll soil, which were calculated from Freundlich equations and the measure of adsorption capacity, decreased by 46.1% and 75.0%, and these by typustalf soil decreased by 34.9% and 52.5%, respectively. Results from this study suggested that soil organic matter made greater contributions to adsorption of GPS, but soil minerals could provide more available adsorption sites for MDP.

Adsorption↗

PubMed2005

Ecotoxicological effects of cadmium on three ornamental plants.

Ecotoxicological effects of cadmium (Cd) on three ornamental plants African marigold (Tagetes erecta), scarlet sage (Salvia splendens) and sweet hibiscus (Abelmoschus manihot) were investigated. Seeds of these plants were exposed to five different concentrations of Cd (0-50 mgl(-1)). Ecotoxicological indexes based on inhibition rate (IC) of seed germination, root and shoot elongation, biomass (fresh weight and dry weight), as well as IC50 (Cd concentration when 50% plants show inhibition) and tolerance indexes (the ratio of maximum root length in an experimental group to that in a control group) were determined. The results indicated that Cd had little effects (p>0.05) on seed germination of the three plants and shoot elongation of scarlet sage (S. splendens). Cadmium had significant (p<0.05) inhibitory effects on root elongation of the three plants and shoot elongation of African marigold (T. erecta). The fresh weight biomass of scarlet sage (S. splendens) was most sensitive to Cd, while that of sweet hibiscus (A. manihot) was least sensitive. On a dry weight basis, African marigold (T. erecta) was the least sensitive, and scarlet sage (S. splendens) was the most sensitive to Cd. Based on IC50 of seed germination, sweet hibiscus (A. manihot) was the most insensitive plant with an IC50 value as high as 428.0 gl(-1). According to Cd-tolerance indexes under the same Cd concentration, sweet hibiscus (A. manihot) was the most tolerant plant whereas scarlet sage (S. splendens) was the most sensitive one.

Abelmoschus↗

PubMed2005

Joint toxicity of methamidophos and cadmium acting on Abelmoschus manihot.

Joint toxicity of methamidophos and cadmium (Cd) on the ornamental Abelmoschus manihot was firstly examined and compared with single-factor effects of the two pollutants using ecotoxicological indexes including the inhibitory rate of seed germination, root elongation and inhibitory concentration 50% (IC50). The results indicated that methamidophos and Cd had unobvious( p > 0.05) effects on seed germination of the ornamental. There were significant( p < 0.05) inhibitory effects of Cd on root elongation of the tested plant. When the concentration of added Cd was low( < 20 mg/L), significant antagonistic effects on root elongation were observed. And synergic effects were observed when Cd was added in high dose( > 20 mg/L). However, the analysis of joint effects indicated that there were antagonistic effects between Cd and methamidophos under all the treatments. At the high concentration of Cd, joint toxicity of methamidophos and Cd was more dependent on concentration of Cd.

Abelmoschus↗

PubMed2005

A comparative study of classical and biochemical endpoints for phytotoxicity testing of chlorobenzoic acids.

The phytotoxicity of chlorobenzoic acids (CBAs) was studied and the biochemical endpoints' suitability and sensibility was evaluated. Two terrestrial plant species in the same family were exposed to different concentrations of CBAS and tested their germination according to the guideline of Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECP, 1984). The results showed that CBA dose-inhibition rate of classical endpoint had the distinct linear relationship in the range of 10%-50% inhibition rate for root elongation (p < 0.01), and the dose variances of CBAs had the greater influence on the inhibition rate of germination than on inhibition rate of root elongation. The CBA dose half effect concentration-inhibition rate of two antioxidant enzyme activity superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) had the quadratic relationship, and CBA dose-inhibition rate of the peroxides (POD) activity had the linear relationship (p < 0.05). Comparing the half effect concentration (EC50) of two kinds of endpoints, the POD activity was more sensitive than classical endpoint, however, SOD and CAT activity were not sensitive in the experiment.

Benzoates↗

PubMed2005

Phytotoxicity assessment of phenanthrene, pyrene and their mixtures by a soil-based seedling emergence test.

Seedling emergence tests were conducted in a meadow brown soil using five plant species (i.e., Chinese cabbage, green onion, tomato, turnip and wheat) to determine the phytotoxicity of phenanthrene, pyrene and their mixtures. The soil was amended with up to 1000 mg/kg soil of phenanthrene or 600 mg/kg soil of pyrene. Seedling emergence and root growth were measured. The results indicated that root elongation was more sensitive than seedling emergence. Root length decreased with increasing phenanthrene or pyrene concentrations( p < or = 0.05). Phenanthrene was more phytotoxic than pyrene. The lowest observable adverse effect concentration (LOAEC) was 10 mg/kg for phenanthrene when tested with green onion, and 50 mg/kg for pyrene when tested with wheat. Among the five species, wheat was found to be the most sensitive. When amended jointly at or below their respective LOAEC, phenanthrene and pyrene produced a synergistic toxic effect.

Phenanthrenes↗

PubMed2005

[Characteristics and influencing factors of ammonia contamination from production of monosodium glutamate].

Fluxes of ammonia contamination from production of monosodium glutamate (MSG) were quantitatively observed and relationships with some important influencing factors were statistically analyzed. The study indicates that there is a big difference in the release of ammonia at each step of MSG production including sewage treatment, depending on technical processes. The flux of ammonia released in the process of fermentation was highest, up to 880 mg x (L x min)(-1), and that in the process of refining sugar was lowest, only 0.07 mg x (L x min)(-1). Fluxes of NH3 emission during the whole process of MSG production are significantly related with the concentration of ammonium-nitrogen (NH4+ -N) in discharged solution linearly, and with concentrations of nitrate-nitrogen (NO3- -N) including nitrite-nitrogen (NO2- -N) in discharged solution exponentially. Although there is no linear relationship between fluxes of NH3 emission during the whole process of MSG production and pH values in discharged solution, it is significantly related with fluxes of NH3 emission during the process of sewage treatment.

Air Pollutants↗

PubMed2004

Optimization of solid fermentation of cellulase from Trichoderma koningii.

To exploit peashrub resources in Ordos as fodders, it is very crucial to realize industrial production of cheap cellulase of high activity by optimizing culture technology, especially culture substrate. In this study, a new prescription experiment based on uniform design ideal was invented and successfully applied in the solid fermentation of Trichoderma koningii F244, which was performed with two different temperature degrees. The activities of FPA, cotton lyase, CMCase and beta-glucosidase were assayed and then mathematical models of enzymatic activities, which were figured out by Unconstraint Mathematical Programming, were developed by Multivariate Regression Program of SPSS10.0. Enzymatic activities of optimized substrate prescriptions corresponding to mathematical models were forecasted to determine an ideal substrate prescription. It is revealed that in solid fermentation, Tween80 has negative effect on cellulase production. Furthermore, the ideal prescription for cellulase complex production by Trichoderma koningii F244 was straw powder 16.9%, wheat bran 26.5%, (NH4)2SO4 9.5% and water 47.1%, whose corresponding cellulase activity was expected to be at the same high level with that of Trichoderma reesei Q9414 on its own recommended substrate. Especially, goats mainly fed on peashrub tissues mixed with cellulase complex of this prescription and culture technology, got an incremental ratio of 0.3 kg/d, which brought a very promising feeding prospect for local peashrub resource. By populization of this cellulase complex, it can integrate living standard, economic construction of local residents into vegetational restoration tightly and thus this paper will be very meaningful to be use for reference for western China like Ordos to realize its sustainable development of economy, society and environment.

Agriculture↗

PubMed2004

Decomposition dynamic of higher plant pigments by HPLC analysis.

The fate of the litter of dominant vegetation(willows and reeds) is one of the aspects studied in the frame of the project "Onderzoek Milieu Effecten Sigmaplan". One of the questions to be considered is how long the litter stays within the estuary. In this paper, the time the leaf litter (Salix triandra and Phragmites australis) stayed in the Schelde estuary was studied by using plant pigment as biomarkers with HPLC application. After analyzing the original data from the incubation experiment described by Dubuison and Geers (1999), the decomposition dynamics patterns of pigments were analyzed and described, and these decomposition dynamics patterns were used as calibration patterns. By using Spearman Rank Order Correlation, the calibration patterns of the pigments which were significant (p < 0.05) were grouped. In this way, several groups of the calibration patterns of pigment decomposition were achieved. The presence or absence of these groups of pigments (whether they can be detected or not from HPLC) was shown to be useful in determining the time the litter has stayed in the water. Combining data of DW and POC, more precise timing can be obtained.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

PubMed2004

Potential of weed species applied to remediation of soils contaminated with heavy metals.

To screen out a series of ideal plants that can effectively remedy contaminated soils by heavy metals is the main groundwork of phytoremediation engineering and the first step of its commercial application on a large scale. In this study, accumulation and endurance of 45 weed species in 16 families from an agricultural site were in situ examined by using the pot-culture field experiment, and the remediation potential of some weed species with high accumulation of heavy metals was assayed. The results showed that Solanum nigrum and Conyza canadensis can not only accumulate high concentration of Cd, but also strongly endure to single Cd and Cd-Pb-Cu-Zn combined pollution. Thus 2 weed species can be regarded as good hyperaccumulators for the remediation of Cd-contaminated soils. Although there were high Cd-accumulation in Artemigia selengensis, Znula britannica and Cephalanoplos setosum, their biomass was adversely affected due to action of heavy metals in the soils. If the problem of low endurance to heavy metals can be solved by a reinforcer, 3 weed species can be perhaps applied commercially.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗

PubMed2004

Microbial changes in rhizospheric soils contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons after bioremediation.

Effects of bioremediation on microbial communities in soils contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons are a scientific problem to be solved. Changes in dominate microbial species and the total amount of microorganisms including bacteria and fungi in rhizospheric soils after bioremediation were thus evaluated using field bioremediation experiments. The results showed that there were changed dominant microorganisms including 11 bacterial strains which are mostly Gram positive bacteria and 6 fungal species which were identified. The total amount of microorganisms including bacteria and fungi increased after bioremediation of microbial agents combined with planting maize. On the contrary, fungi in rhizospheric soils were inhibited by adding microbial agents combined with planting soybean.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗