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Extensive studies on the morphological characteristics of the coccyx, using CT or MRI techniques, have been conducted in some European and Asian countries. However, research on coccyx morphology in China remains scarce. A total of 300 subjects, who underwent sacrococcygeal digital radiological scans at the third affiliated hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University between January 2022 and December 2023, were analyzed in this retrospective study. Modified coccyx morphology classification was applied. Imaging focused on the type of coccyx and the number of coccygeal segments. The subjects exhibited coccyx type III (33.3%), type II (32.7%), type I (16.7%), type IV (16%), type V (0.3%), and type VI (1%). 32 males with coccygeal type II; 76 females with coccygeal type III. Significant differences in coccyx morphology were observed between male and female (p < 0.05). Coccygeal morphology showed correlations with age (p = 0.009), body weight (p = 0.01), and BMI (p = 0.039). Among Chinese adults, type III coccyx is the most common, and the 3-segment configuration is the most prevalent. Coccyx types differ by gender, coccyx morphology is correlated with age, weight, and BMI. Our study lays the foundation for future clinical applications of these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The correlation between the Cobb angle and the sagittal spinal curvature (SSC) in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) has been reported in some previous studies, but few studies have reported on the relation of coronal wedge deformity (CWD) with sagittal curvature. This study aims to investigate the correlation between CWD and SSC in AIS patients. A retrospective analysis was conducted in 122 AIS patients treated at our hospital from January 2018 to November 2023. Correlation analysis was performed on the Cobb angle, total wedge angle(TW), apical vertebral wedge angle (APW), upper end-vertebral wedge angle (UW), lower end-vertebral wedge angle (LW), total affected structures, average wedge angle(AW), total vertebral wedge angle (TVW), average vertebral wedge angle (AVW), Vertebral Wedge Angle ratio (VWR), total disc wedge angle (TDW), average disc wedge angle (ADW), and disc wedge angle ratio (DWR). Furthermore, out of all cases which underwent lateral spinal radiographs, a correlation analysis between thoracic kyphosis (TK), lumbar lordosis (LL) and CWD was carried out on 102 patients. The Cobb angle exhibited a significant positive correlation with multiple CWD parameters (P < 0.05). TK showed a significant negative correlation with the Cobb angle (r = − 0.221, P = 0.026), TW (r = − 0.199, P = 0.045), AW (r = − 0.262, P = 0.008), TDW (r = − 0.211, P = 0.033), and ADW (r = − 0.278, P = 0.005). LL had no significant correlation with TK and other parameters (P > 0.05). In mild and moderate AIS patients, CWD parameters were positively correlated with the Cobb angle and negatively correlated with thoracic SSC. This may indicate that it's necessary to correct sagittal thoracic curvature when rectifying scoliosis in clinic. This research would not only provide new insights for clinical practice but also offer important evidence for early diagnosis and intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To address solubility, plasticizer leakage, and ionic carrier issues in PVC-based solid ion-selective electrodes, a novel plasticizer-free photocurable solid Ca2+-selective electrode (GC/PANI/CPANI/Ca2+(PBA)-ISE) was developed using a novel electrode structure. A new Ca2+-sensitive membrane based on poly(butyl acrylate) (PBA) was synthesized by ultraviolet polymerization, with conductive polyaniline (PANI) as the solid contact layer and a copolymer of aniline and 2,5-dimethoxyaniline (CPANI) as the coating. All potential electrochemical tests were carried out on the prepared Ca2+-selective electrode. The response slope of the electrode was 28.33 mV decade−1, the detection limit was 6.9 × 10−6 M, the stable linear range was 1 × 10−6 to 1 × 10−2 M, and it had a good Nernst response. The chronopotentiometric analysis and water layer tests showed that the potential drift of GC/PANI/CPANI/Ca2+(PBA)-ISE was as low as 0.0125 mV s−1 and 1.247 mV h−1. In addition, the interference tests of environmental factors were carried out. When the electrode was in different interference light and gas environments, the potential changes of 1.6 × 10−4 mV s−1 and 1.2 × 10−3 mV s−1 were observed. Compared with previous reports and commercial electrodes, the prepared GC/PANI/CPANI/Ca2+(PBA)-ISE showed good electrochemical performance, and the recovery rate in Ca2+ test solutions was higher (97.2–99.9%). This study provided theoretical insights to address solubility, plasticizer leakage, and ion carrier leakage issues in solid-state contact ion-selective electrodes. At the same time, this study provided a new structure and preparation method for the preparation of all-solid-state Ca2+-selective electrode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The correlation between scoliosis and sagittal curvature of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine have already been reported in previous studies. However, as a part of the spine, the change in coccygeal morphology in AIS patients has not yet been studied. In this study, a retrospective analysis was performed on 400 patients who were divided into a non-scoliotic group (206 patients) and an AIS group (194 patients). The Postacchini coccygeal radiological classification that was modified by Nathan was used to observe and compare the sagittal coccygeal morphology between the two groups. The results showed that the non-scoliotic group had the highest percentage (52.4%) of patients with type I and the lowest (3.4%) proportion of patients with type V; moreover, the AIS group had the highest percentage (69.1%) of patients with type I and the lowest (1.5%) proportion of patients with type V. The coccygeal morphology was significantly different between the non-scoliotic group and the AIS group (P = 0.001). No significant differences in coccygeal morphology were found between the males and females in the two groups (mild and moderate scoliosis and different segmental scoliosis). In addition, a significant correlation between coccygeal morphology and scoliosis (P = 0.035) was found. In conclusion, coccygeal morphology significantly differs between AIS patients and non-scoliotic adolescents. There was a smaller proportion of patients with a type I coccyx and a larger proportion of patients with a type II or type III coccyx in the AIS group than in the non-scoliotic group. In other words, the presence of a more pronounced coccygeal curve in AIS patients may be caused by an incorrect sitting position and an imbalance in the contraction of the pelvic muscles. It should be further studied whether correcting the sitting position and muscular imbalances could change coccygeal morphology and subsequently affect the development of AIS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ecoenzymatic stoichiometry models (EEST) are often used to evaluate microbial nutrient use efficiency, but the validity of these models under exogenous nitrogen (N) input has never been clarified. Here, we investigated the effects of long-term N addition (as urea) on microbial N use efficiency (NUE), compared EEST and 18O-labeling methods for determining NUE, and evaluated EEST's theoretical assumption that the ratios of standard ecoenzymatic activities balance resource availability with microbial demand. Results: We found that NUE estimated by EEST ranged from 0.94 to 0.98. In contrast, estimates of NUE by the 18O-labeling method ranged from 0.07 to 0.30. The large differences in NUE values estimated by the two methods may be because the sum of β-N-acetylglucosaminidase and leucine aminopeptidase activities in the EEST model was not limited to microbial N acquisition under exogenous N inputs, resulting in an overestimation of microbial NUE by EEST. In addition, the acquisition of carbon by N-acquiring enzymes also likely interferes with the evaluation of NUE by EEST. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that caution must be exercised when using EEST to evaluate NUE under exogenous N inputs that may skew standard enzyme assays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using amendments is a cost-effective method to soil cadmium (Cd) remediation, whereas knowledge about how different amendments and rates affect remediation efficiency remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate the impacts of different types and amounts of amendments on soil Cd immobilization and its uptake by plants. Biochar (BC), zeolite (ZE), humic acid (HA), superphosphate (SP), lime (L), and sodium sulfide (SS) were applied at three rates (low, medium, and high) ranging from 0.5 to 5%. The concentration of CaCl2-extractable Cd was considerably affected by the amendments, except HA, and the high doses achieved better immobilization effects than the low doses did. The addition of amendments decreased weak acid soluble Cd by 4.1–44.0% but slightly increased the fractions of oxidizable and residual Cd. These amendments (except BC and HA dose of 1%) decreased Cd accumulation in grains by 1.3–68.8% and (except SP) in roots by 16.3–65.5% compared with the control. The SP efficiently immobilized Cd but posed a potential soil acidification risk. Moreover, SS treatment increased the soil electrical conductivity (EC) value and restricted the growth of wheat, possibly due to high-salt stress. BC, ZE, and L exerted significant effects on the reduction in available Cd as the application rate increased. These amendments enhanced Cd immobilization mainly by changing Cd availability in soil and influencing its redistribution in different fractions in soil and root uptake by plants. This study concluded that BC-5%, ZE-1%, and L-0.5% can be used for Cd immobilization in acidic or neutral soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The agriculture industry is under intense pressure to produce more food with a lower environmental impact, while also mitigating climate change. Biochar has the potential to improve food security while improving soil fertility and sequestering carbon. The aim of our research was to evaluate the effects of apple branch biochar on wheat yield and soil nutrients under different nitrogen (N) and water conditions.Materials and methods: Durum wheat was grown for nearly 6 months in pots with silt clay soil supplemented with apple branch biochar. The biochar was applied at five rates (0, 1, 2, 4, and 6% w/w; B0, B1, B2, B3, and B4), and N fertilizer was applied at three rates (0, 0.2, and 0.4 g kg−1; N0, N1, and N2). From the jointing to maturation stages, the soil water content was controlled at two rates to simulate sufficient water and drought conditions (75 and 45% of field capacity; W1 and W2). After harvest, we investigated grain yield and soil nutrient status.Results and discussion: The application of biochar alone had a positive effect on wheat production and soil nutrients, especially under sufficient water conditions. Compared with the addition of N fertilizer alone, the addition of biochar at B1 and B2 combined with N fertilizer under sufficient water conditions increased the crop yield by 7.40 to 12.00%, whereas this was not the case under drought stress. Furthermore, regardless of water conditions, compared with N fertilizer application alone, a high rate of biochar application (B3 and B4) led to a significant decrease in the grain yield of approximately 6.25-21.83%. Biochar had strong effects on soil nutrients, with NO3− and available phosphorus contents and the C:N ratio exerting the greatest effects on wheat yield.Conclusions: The effects of biochar on wheat production and soil nutrients varied with the biochar application rate, N fertilizer application rate, and water conditions. Drought stress weakened or offset the positive effect of biochar on crop production, especially under the high-N level (N2) conditions. The optimum application combination was 1% (or possibly even less) apple branch biochar (B1) and moderate N fertilizer (N1). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]