This review compiles information from the literature on the chemical composition,pharmacological effects,and molecular mechanisms of earthworm extract(EE)and suggests possibilities for clinical translation of EE.We al...This review compiles information from the literature on the chemical composition,pharmacological effects,and molecular mechanisms of earthworm extract(EE)and suggests possibilities for clinical translation of EE.We also consider future trends and concerns in this domain.We summarize the bioactive components of EE,including G-90,lysenin,lumbrokinase,antimicrobial peptides,earthworm serine protease(ESP),and polyphenols,and detail the antitumor,antithrombotic,antiviral,antibacterial,anti-i nflammatory,analgesic,antioxidant,wound-healing,antifibrotic,and hypoglycemic activities and mechanisms of action of EE based on existing in vitro and in vivo studies.We further propose the potential of EE for clinical translation in anticancer and lipid-modifying therapies,and its promise as source of a novel agent for wound healing and resistance to antibiotic tolerance.The earthworm enzyme lumbrokinase embodies highly effective anticoagulant and thrombolytic properties and has the advantage of not causing bleeding phenomena due to hyperfibrinolysis.Its antifibrotic properties can reduce the excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix.The glycolipoprotein extract G-90 can effectively scavenge reactive oxygen groups and protect cellular tissues from oxidative damage.Earthworms have evolved a well-developed defense mechanism to fight against microbial infections,and the bioactive agents in EE have shown good antibacterial,fungal,and viral properties in in vitro and in vivo experiments and can alleviate inflammatory responses caused by infections,effectively reducing pain.Recent studies have also highlighted the role of EE in lowering blood glucose.EE shows high medicinal value and is expected to be a source of many bioactive compounds.展开更多
The production environment of greenhouse cultivation is relatively closed,the multiple cropping index is high,the management of fertilizationwatering and pesticideapplication isblindtosomeextent,andthe phenomenonofcon...The production environment of greenhouse cultivation is relatively closed,the multiple cropping index is high,the management of fertilizationwatering and pesticideapplication isblindtosomeextent,andthe phenomenonofcontinuous cropping isalsocommonSoilquali-ty affects the sustainable development of greenhouse cultivation.Earthworm is a ubiquitous invertebrate organism in soil,an important part of soil system,a link between terrestrial organisms and soil organisms,an important link in the small cycle of soil material organisms,and plays an important role in maintaining the structure and function of soil ecosystem.Different ecotypes of earthworms are closely related to their habi-tats(soil layers)and food resource preferences,and then affect their ecological functions.The principle of earthworm regulating soil function is essentially the close connection and interaction between earthworm and soil microorganism.Using different ecotypes of earthworms and bio-logical agents to carry out combined remediation of greenhouse cultivation soil is a technical model to realize sustainable development of green-house cultivation.展开更多
Facial expression recognition(FER)remains a hot research area among computer vision researchers and still becomes a challenge because of high intraclass variations.Conventional techniques for this problem depend on ha...Facial expression recognition(FER)remains a hot research area among computer vision researchers and still becomes a challenge because of high intraclass variations.Conventional techniques for this problem depend on hand-crafted features,namely,LBP,SIFT,and HOG,along with that a classifier trained on a database of videos or images.Many execute perform well on image datasets captured in a controlled condition;however not perform well in the more challenging dataset,which has partial faces and image variation.Recently,many studies presented an endwise structure for facial expression recognition by utilizing DL methods.Therefore,this study develops an earthworm optimization with an improved SqueezeNet-based FER(EWOISN-FER)model.The presented EWOISN-FER model primarily applies the contrast-limited adaptive histogram equalization(CLAHE)technique as a pre-processing step.In addition,the improved SqueezeNet model is exploited to derive an optimal set of feature vectors,and the hyperparameter tuning process is performed by the stochastic gradient boosting(SGB)model.Finally,EWO with sparse autoencoder(SAE)is employed for the FER process,and the EWO algorithm appropriately chooses the SAE parameters.Awide-ranging experimental analysis is carried out to examine the performance of the proposed model.The experimental outcomes indicate the supremacy of the presented EWOISN-FER technique.展开更多
This study aimed to investigate the toxicity of rare earth ion yttrium under the stress of leaching agent ammonium sulfate （NH4）2SO4. [Method] By using earthworms as indicator organisms of environmental pol ution, a...This study aimed to investigate the toxicity of rare earth ion yttrium under the stress of leaching agent ammonium sulfate （NH4）2SO4. [Method] By using earthworms as indicator organisms of environmental pol ution, acute toxic ef-fects of rare earth yttrium on earthworms under the stress of ammonium sulfate were investigated with filter paper contact method. [Result] Under single stress of rare earth yttrium, the semi-lethal concentration after 48 and 24 h was LC50=213.41 mg/L and LC50=322.63 mg/L, respectively. ② Under single stress of ammonium sul-fate, the semi-lethal concentration after 48 h and 24 h was LC50=13.89 g/L and LC50=15.05 g/L, respectively. ③ In combined treatment of low concentration （10 g/L） of ammonium sulfate and different doses of rare earth yttrium, the semi-lethal con-centration after 48 and 24 h was LC50=198.65 g/L and LC50=399.85 g/L, respective-ly; in combined treatment of middle concentration （14 g/L） of ammonium sulfate and different doses of rare earth yttrium, the semi-lethal concentration after 48 and 24 h was LC50=167.3 mg/L and LC50=256.73 mg/L, respectively; in combined treatment of high concentration （20 g/L） of ammonium sulfate and different doses of rare earth yttrium, the semi-lethal concentration after 48 h and 24 h was LC50=31.03 mg/L and LC50=127.65 mg/L, respectively. [Conclusion] Low concentration of ammonium sulfate could reduce the toxicity of rare earth yttrium to earthworms and produce certain antagonism against rare earth yttrium; middle concentration ammonium sulfate in-creased the toxicity of rare earth yttrium to earthworms and produced relatively sig-nificant synergistic effects; high concentration ammonium sulfate significantly in-creased the toxicity of rare earth yttrium to earthworms. Compared with ammonium sulfate, dead earthworms exposed to rare earth yttrium were more easily fractured, and living earthworms showed insensitive response to acupuncture.展开更多
The response of the superoxide dismutase （SOD） activities of earthworm （Eisenia fetida） to soil plumbum （Pb） pol ution was studied in the artificial soil test. The results indicated that the SOD activity in eart...The response of the superoxide dismutase （SOD） activities of earthworm （Eisenia fetida） to soil plumbum （Pb） pol ution was studied in the artificial soil test. The results indicated that the SOD activity in earthworm exposed to low-concentra-tion Pb declined on the 5th day of acute toxicity test, while that exposed to high-concentration Pb increased by different extents. On the 15th day, the SOD activity increased slightly along with soil Pb concentration increasing.展开更多
Acetochlor and methamidophos are two important agrochemicals which are widely applied to agricultural production in northeast China. The investigation on the earthworm Eisenia fetida as an important type of soil anima...Acetochlor and methamidophos are two important agrochemicals which are widely applied to agricultural production in northeast China. The investigation on the earthworm Eisenia fetida as an important type of soil animals exposed to single and binary-combined contamination of acetochlor and methamidophos was thus carried out. The single toxic effect test showed that the two agrochemicals had their toxicity to the earthworms living in phaiozem. Acetochlor had a stronger acute toxic effect on the earthworms than methamidophos. The mortality of the earthworms exposed to individual acetochlor and methamidophos changed with an increase in the exposure time and the exposed concentrations. The LD50 value of acetochlor and methamidophos toxic to the earthworms was 115.6-275,3 and 29.5-228.6 mg/kg, respectively. The weight of the earthworms was a more sensitive index compared to the mortality in indicating toxic effects of acetochlor and methamidophos in phaiozem. When considering both the mortality and the body-weight change, the combined pollution of acetochlor and methamidophos in phaiozem resulted in their synergic toxic effects on the earthworms.展开更多
The DNA-damaging effects of the combined pollution of heavy metal and organic contamination on earthworms were evaluated by single cell gel electrophoresis （SCGE） assay. Earthworms Eisenia andrei were exposed to sin...The DNA-damaging effects of the combined pollution of heavy metal and organic contamination on earthworms were evaluated by single cell gel electrophoresis （SCGE） assay. Earthworms Eisenia andrei were exposed to single or combined test compounds in different doses of cadmium （Cd） 5, 10, 50 mg/kg and phenanthrene （Phe） 0.5, 2.5, 12.5 mg/kg with a treatment of 14 d. In SCGE assay, isolated coelomcytes and electrophoresis were employed to determine DNA damage degree after a 14-d treatment by test compounds. The results showed that there was a significant statistical difference between earthworms treated with Cd combined Phe with them treated alone with Cd or Phe. The Olive tail moment （OTM） of SCGE assay using earthworm coelomcytes appears to be a sensitive biomarker for evaluating exposure to genotoxic compounds. These tests also revealed that the interaction between Cd and Phe to DNA damaging effects was negative, and was strongly dependent on the concentration of pollution. This study corresponds to exploratory phase in order to reveal interaction effects of heavy metal and organic contamination on earthworms and then to set up more in-depth analysis to increase progressively the understanding of the genotoxicity mechanisms involved.展开更多
The electroosmotic flow near an earthworm surface is simulated numerically to further understand the anti soil adhesion mechanism of earthworm. A lattice Poisson method is employed to solve electric potential and char...The electroosmotic flow near an earthworm surface is simulated numerically to further understand the anti soil adhesion mechanism of earthworm. A lattice Poisson method is employed to solve electric potential and charge .distributiorts in the electric double layer along the earthworm surface. The external electric field is obtained by solving a Laplace equation. The electroosmotic flow controlled by the Navier-Stokes equations with external body force is simulated by the lattice Boltzmann method. A benchmark test shows that accurate electric potential distributions can be obtained by the LPM. The simulation shows that the moving vortices, which probably contribute to anti soil adhesion, are formed near earthworm body surface by the nonuniform and variational electrical force.展开更多
Earthworm toxicity tests are useful tools for terrestrial risk assessment but require a hierarchy of test designs that differ in effect levels （behavior, sublethal, lethal）. In this study, the toxicity of chlorpyrif...Earthworm toxicity tests are useful tools for terrestrial risk assessment but require a hierarchy of test designs that differ in effect levels （behavior, sublethal, lethal）. In this study, the toxicity of chlorpyrifos contaminated soil on earthworms was assessed. In addition to the acute and chronic tests, an avoidance response test was applied. Earthworms were exposed to sublethal and lethal concentration of chlorpyrifos, and evaluated for acute toxicity, growth, fecundity and avoidance response after a certain exposure period. The test methods covered all important ecological relevant endpoints （acute, chronic, behavioral）. Concentration of 78.91 mg/kg, chlorpyrifos caused significant toxic effects in all test methods, but at lower test concentrations, only significant chronic toxic effects could be observed. In present study, chlorpyrifos had adverse effect on growth and fecundity in earthworm exposed to 5 mg/kg chlorpyrifos after eight weeks. The avoidance response test, however, showed significant repellent effects at concentration of 40 mg/kg chlorpyrifos. For chlorpyrifos, concentration affecting avoidance response was far greater than growth and fecundity, it seemed likely that earthworms were not able to escape from pesticide-contaminated soil into the clean soil in field and hence were exposed continuously to elevated concentrations of pesticides.展开更多
A series of tests (lethal,sublethal,and behavioral) on earthworms were conducted as an eco-assessment of pesticides.In this study,the toxicity of cypermethrin-contaminating soil on adult and juvenile earthworms was as...A series of tests (lethal,sublethal,and behavioral) on earthworms were conducted as an eco-assessment of pesticides.In this study,the toxicity of cypermethrin-contaminating soil on adult and juvenile earthworms was assessed.Beside the acute and chronic tests,an avoidance response test was carried out.It was shown that the all-round toxicity from cypermethrin was weak on adult earthworms.Compared with adult earthworms,the toxicity of juvenile earthworms from cypermethrin especially chronic toxicity increased...展开更多
Earthworms are the important constituents in the decayed food web and the main ecological conditioners in the process of decomposition and nutrient mineralization. The transformation of organic carbon (C) and total ni...Earthworms are the important constituents in the decayed food web and the main ecological conditioners in the process of decomposition and nutrient mineralization. The transformation of organic carbon (C) and total nitrogen (N) in the broad-leaved litters ingested by earthworms was researched by means of a laboratory experiment. Experimental samples were collected from broad-leaved Korea Pine mixed forest in Liangshui National Natural Reserve (47°10′50″N, 128°53′20″E) in the northeastern Xiao Hinggan Mountains of Northeast China. The contents of organic C and total N in earthworms, leaf litters and earthworm faeces were analyzed. Results show that the organic C content was in the fol- lowing order: leaf litters>faeces>earthworms, while total N content was contrary to that of the organic C. The organic C contents in the different leaf litters were in the following order: Tilia amurensis>Betula costata>Acer mono, whereas the total N contents in the different leaf litters were: Betula costata>Tilia amurensis>Acer mono. The contents of organic C and total N in the faeces from the different leaf litters were almost consistent with the contents of the leaf litters. After the leaf litters were ingested by earthworms, the organic C, which was transformed to increase earthworms' weights, ac- counted for 3.90%-13.31% of the total ingestion by earthworms, while that in the earthworm faeces accounted for 6.14%-13.70%. The transformed organic C through the other metabolism (e.g., respiration) of earthworms accounted for 75.04%-89.92%. The ingested organic C by earthworms was mostly used for metabolic activities. The N ingested by earthworms was less than organic C. It is estimated that 37.08% of total N was transformed to increase the earthworm's weight, 19.97% into earthworm faeces and 47.86% for the consumption of the earthworm's activities. The earthworms not only increased the content of organic C and total N in the soil, but also decreased the values of C/N in the soil and leaf litters. Earthworms play a major role in the leaf litters' decomposition and transformation.展开更多
The hepatoprotective potential of earthworm extract (EE) (Lampito mauritii, Kinberg) was evaluated against paracetamol-induced liver injury in Wistar albino rat, in comparison with silymarin, the standard hepatoprotec...The hepatoprotective potential of earthworm extract (EE) (Lampito mauritii, Kinberg) was evaluated against paracetamol-induced liver injury in Wistar albino rat, in comparison with silymarin, the standard hepatoprotective drug. We observed a reduction in liver antioxidants, such as glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and catalase (CAT) and in serum total protein, and an increase in serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), serum aspertate aminotranferase (AST), serum alanine aminotranferase (ALT), bilirubin and liver thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) due to liver injury in the paracetamol-administered rats (2 g/kg). On the contrary, increased activities of liver GSH, SOD, GPx, CAT and serum total protein level, and decrease in the contents of serum ALP, AST, ALT, bilirubin and liver TBARS were observed in rats administered with different doses of EE (100, 200 and 300 mg/kg), which are similar to the activities of hepato-protective drug silymarin (150 mg/kg). The mode of action of EE as evidenced by the above parameters may suggest that EE, on the one hand, prevents the formation of the reactive oxygen groups, or scavenges these groups, thereby preventing the damage on the hepatic cells, and, on the other hand, modulates the genes responsible for synthesis of antioxidant enzymes such as GPx, CAT and SOD in liver tissue and decreases the serum enzymatic activities such as ALP, AST and ALT.展开更多
Aim: To explore the effect of exposure to commercial Parathion~ (Pc) on the reproductive parameters (sperm and cocoon production and genotoxicity on male germ cells), the survival, the body weight and the gross anatom...Aim: To explore the effect of exposure to commercial Parathion~ (Pc) on the reproductive parameters (sperm and cocoon production and genotoxicity on male germ cells), the survival, the body weight and the gross anatomical changes in Eiseniafoetida. Methods: Three doses of Pc(1478, 739 and 444 mg/kg of soil) and three time intervals of exposure (5, 15 and 30 days) were used. Results: All treated animals were affected. An acute genotoxic effect, revealed by DNA fragmentation (comet assay), was seen by 5 days. Alterations in reproductive parameters were conspicuous in regard to the number of sperm, cocoons and worms born, and the histological observation of the gonads and seminal receptacles. In addition, the body weight and survival rate were decreased. Neuromuscular function was also affected. Conclusion: Earthworms are suitable bioindicators of chemical contamination of the soil, their advantage being their easy and economical handling展开更多
The earthworms Pheretima carnosaf Drawida gisti and Eisenia foetida were studied to compare theircontributions to the decomposition of various organic materials surface-applied on red soil in a 165-daygreenhouse exper...The earthworms Pheretima carnosaf Drawida gisti and Eisenia foetida were studied to compare theircontributions to the decomposition of various organic materials surface-applied on red soil in a 165-daygreenhouse experiment. The native species Pheretima caruosa and Drawida gisti were equally effective inaccelerating the decomposition of maize residue, according to fresh body weight, while commercial speciesEisenia foetida had no significant influence on dry mass loss of maize residue. Liming with CaCO3 or CaOshowed little effect on maize residue breakdown involved by Pheretima carnosal but it inhibited this processinvolved by Drawida gisti. The capability of Pheretima carnosa to the decomposition of five kinds of organicmaterials was thoroughly examined. The dry mass losses in worm treatments were in the order of soybeanresidue > maize residue > pig manure > semi-decayed maize > ryegrass. However, the relative contributionsof the earthworm to dry mass loss were in the order of pig manure (89.8%) > semi-decayed maize residue(49.1%) > maize residue (29.4%) > soybean residue (20.9%) > ryegrass residue (16.5%). Pheretima carnosaconsumed 20~120 mg dry weight of organic material per gram fresh weight of biomass per day.展开更多
Objective:To isolate,partially purify and evaluate the cytotoxic and antitumor activity of a serine protease from the chosen Indian earthworm Pheretima posthuma.Methods:Whole animal extract was prepared and purified i...Objective:To isolate,partially purify and evaluate the cytotoxic and antitumor activity of a serine protease from the chosen Indian earthworm Pheretima posthuma.Methods:Whole animal extract was prepared and purified its protein constituents by size and charge based chromatographic separation techniques using Sephadex G-50 and DEAE-Cellulose resin respectively.Average molecular weight of the protein isolate was determined and analyzed for its cytotoxic property against Vero cells in different dilutions(1:20 and 1:40)and anti-tumor activity by MTT assay(a colorimetric assay)using breast cancer cell line MCF-7,with tamoxifen as standard.Results:One of the protein constituents after purification was characterized as serine protease by Caseinolytic plate diffusion assay.Average molecular weight of this purified isolate was determined,by SDS-PAGE analysis with standard protein ladder,as of 15 kDa.The performed tests suggested that the 15kDa fraction has potent cytotoxic activity and satisfactory antitumor activity as well in vitro.Conclusions:Exact molecular mechanism of the cytotoxic and antitumor activities is yet to be explored and currently we are working on ultra-purification and biophysical characterization of this fraction.Further investigation into the mechanism(s)of cytotoxic and antitumor activities at molecular level would be useful in treatment of various classes of cancer and viral infections in future.展开更多
Soil fauna can sensitively respond to alterations in soil environment induced by land-use changes.However,little is known about the impact of urban land-use changes on earthworm communities.In this study,three land-us...Soil fauna can sensitively respond to alterations in soil environment induced by land-use changes.However,little is known about the impact of urban land-use changes on earthworm communities.In this study,three land-use types(i.e.,forest,nursery and abandoned lands)were chosen to identify differences in diversity,abundance and biomass of earthworm community in Kunming City.Urban land-use had a pronounced difference in species composition,evenness and diversity of earthworm communities.Forest land had the highest density,biomass and diversity of the earthworm communities.Total abundance was dominated by endogeic species in nursery land(70%)and abandoned land(80%),whereas in the forest land,the earthworm community comprised epigeic,endogeic and anecic species.Temporal changes in earthworm density and biomass were also significantly affected by land-use change.Total density and biomass of earthworms in the forest and nursery lands were highest in September,but highest in the abandoned land in October.The influence of soil physicochemical properties on the earthworm density and biomass also varied with land-use types.Soil temperature significantly affected earthworm density and biomass in the three land-use types.Soil pH was positively correlated with earthworm biomass in the forest land,but negatively associated with earthworm density in the abandoned land.Soil organic matter was positively correlated only with density and biomass of earthworms in the nursery and abandoned lands.Our results suggest that the species composition,abundance and biomass of earthworm communities can be determined by the modification of soil properties associated with urban land-use type.展开更多
This study was conducted to examine the responses of earthworms to soil organic matter and litter at different decomposition stages and their contributions in litter decomposition processes in southern subtropical are...This study was conducted to examine the responses of earthworms to soil organic matter and litter at different decomposition stages and their contributions in litter decomposition processes in southern subtropical areas of China. Two plantations were selected as the study sites: Site I was dominated by the exotic endogeic earthworm species Ocnerodrilus occidentalis; Site II was dominated by epigeic species Amynthas corticis. After the fallen litter and earthworms were removed or expelled, four treatments were set up as: reserving the top soil (0–5 cm, equal to H layer) (H), removing the top soil and adding fresh litter (Le), removing the top soil and adding semi-decomposed litter (Li), and a control with no top soil nor any litter (CK). Five randomized blocks that were enclosed with nylon nets on the top were set up in each site, and then the four treatments were arranged randomly in each block. After 2–3 months, earthworms were collected using the formalin method. The results showed that Ocnerodrilus occidentalis preferred Treatment H though it was found in Treatments Le and Li as well; Amynthas corticis preferred Treatment Li though sometimes it also appeared in Treatment H; and Amynthas sp., another epigeic species, was mainly present under Treatment Le and only appeared in Treatment H occasionally. These findings confirmed that earthworm species belonging to different ecological groups had different responses to organic matter at different decomposition stages. The impacts of earthworm communities dominated by O. occidentalis mainly appeared at the later periods of litter decomposition.展开更多
The research explored response of cellulase in Eisenia fetida in soils with Cd at different concentrations, as per artificial soil test. The results indicated that as Cd concentration increased, the activity of cellul...The research explored response of cellulase in Eisenia fetida in soils with Cd at different concentrations, as per artificial soil test. The results indicated that as Cd concentration increased, the activity of cellulase was decreasing in a short peri- od, which suggested that cellulase activity was inhibited to certain extent. As Cd concentration and the treatment period grew, the activities increased in varying de- grees. With Cd at a high concentrate, Cd had a kind of induction effects on cellu- lase activity in earthworms.展开更多
The effects of Rare Earth Element Lan on the activities of cellulose, catalase, peroxidase and superoxide dismutasein in earthworm were carried out by natural soil test. The results indicated that Lan can significantl...The effects of Rare Earth Element Lan on the activities of cellulose, catalase, peroxidase and superoxide dismutasein in earthworm were carried out by natural soil test. The results indicated that Lan can significantly suppress the activity of cellulose. The responses of three enzymes in earthworm to Lan were different, Lan mostly affects catalase activity and inhibited catalase activity throughout the experiment. Peroxidase activity tend to 'promote weakly and inhibited strongly' when short term of exposure to Lan, while 'inhibited weakly and promote strongly' as a function of time. In comparison, Lan had little influence on the activity of superoxide dismutase. The variance analysis results showed that the concentration of Lan significantly affected the activities of cellulose and CAT but had no obvious influence on the activities of SOD and POD. The treatment time and the interactive effect between treatment concentrations and time had very significant effect on the activities of cellulose, SOD, CAT and POD.展开更多
基金supported by the National Key R&D Program of China(2021YFC2502100,2023YFC3603404,2019YFA0111900)National Natural Science Foundation of China(82072506,82272611,92268115)+7 种基金Hunan Provincial Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars(2024JJ2089)Hunan Young Talents of Science and Technology(2021RC3025)Provincial Clinical Medical Technology Innovation Project of Hunan(2023SK2024,2020SK53709)Provincial Natural Science Foundation of Hunan(2020JJ3060)National Natural Science Foundation of Hunan Province(2023JJ30949)National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders,Xiangya Hospital(2021KFJJ02,2021LNJJ05)the Hunan Provincial Innovation Foundation for Postgraduate(CX20230308,CX20230312)the Independent Exploration and Innovation Project for Postgraduate Students of Central South University(2024ZZTS0163)。
文摘This review compiles information from the literature on the chemical composition,pharmacological effects,and molecular mechanisms of earthworm extract(EE)and suggests possibilities for clinical translation of EE.We also consider future trends and concerns in this domain.We summarize the bioactive components of EE,including G-90,lysenin,lumbrokinase,antimicrobial peptides,earthworm serine protease(ESP),and polyphenols,and detail the antitumor,antithrombotic,antiviral,antibacterial,anti-i nflammatory,analgesic,antioxidant,wound-healing,antifibrotic,and hypoglycemic activities and mechanisms of action of EE based on existing in vitro and in vivo studies.We further propose the potential of EE for clinical translation in anticancer and lipid-modifying therapies,and its promise as source of a novel agent for wound healing and resistance to antibiotic tolerance.The earthworm enzyme lumbrokinase embodies highly effective anticoagulant and thrombolytic properties and has the advantage of not causing bleeding phenomena due to hyperfibrinolysis.Its antifibrotic properties can reduce the excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix.The glycolipoprotein extract G-90 can effectively scavenge reactive oxygen groups and protect cellular tissues from oxidative damage.Earthworms have evolved a well-developed defense mechanism to fight against microbial infections,and the bioactive agents in EE have shown good antibacterial,fungal,and viral properties in in vitro and in vivo experiments and can alleviate inflammatory responses caused by infections,effectively reducing pain.Recent studies have also highlighted the role of EE in lowering blood glucose.EE shows high medicinal value and is expected to be a source of many bioactive compounds.
基金Supported by Key Scientific Research Project in Colleges and Universities of Henan Province(22B180011)Project of Henan Provincial Department of Science and Technology(232102320262)+1 种基金Education and Teaching Reform Research Project of Pingdingshan University(2021-JY55)Key Demonstration Course of Pingdingshan University in 2022——Comprehensive Experiment of Environmental Biology.
文摘The production environment of greenhouse cultivation is relatively closed,the multiple cropping index is high,the management of fertilizationwatering and pesticideapplication isblindtosomeextent,andthe phenomenonofcontinuous cropping isalsocommonSoilquali-ty affects the sustainable development of greenhouse cultivation.Earthworm is a ubiquitous invertebrate organism in soil,an important part of soil system,a link between terrestrial organisms and soil organisms,an important link in the small cycle of soil material organisms,and plays an important role in maintaining the structure and function of soil ecosystem.Different ecotypes of earthworms are closely related to their habi-tats(soil layers)and food resource preferences,and then affect their ecological functions.The principle of earthworm regulating soil function is essentially the close connection and interaction between earthworm and soil microorganism.Using different ecotypes of earthworms and bio-logical agents to carry out combined remediation of greenhouse cultivation soil is a technical model to realize sustainable development of green-house cultivation.
文摘Facial expression recognition(FER)remains a hot research area among computer vision researchers and still becomes a challenge because of high intraclass variations.Conventional techniques for this problem depend on hand-crafted features,namely,LBP,SIFT,and HOG,along with that a classifier trained on a database of videos or images.Many execute perform well on image datasets captured in a controlled condition;however not perform well in the more challenging dataset,which has partial faces and image variation.Recently,many studies presented an endwise structure for facial expression recognition by utilizing DL methods.Therefore,this study develops an earthworm optimization with an improved SqueezeNet-based FER(EWOISN-FER)model.The presented EWOISN-FER model primarily applies the contrast-limited adaptive histogram equalization(CLAHE)technique as a pre-processing step.In addition,the improved SqueezeNet model is exploited to derive an optimal set of feature vectors,and the hyperparameter tuning process is performed by the stochastic gradient boosting(SGB)model.Finally,EWO with sparse autoencoder(SAE)is employed for the FER process,and the EWO algorithm appropriately chooses the SAE parameters.Awide-ranging experimental analysis is carried out to examine the performance of the proposed model.The experimental outcomes indicate the supremacy of the presented EWOISN-FER technique.
基金Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.21067003,51364015)National High-Tech Research and Development Program of China(GrantNo.2012BAC11B07)+1 种基金Natural Science Foundation of Jiangxi Province(Grant No.20114BAB203024)Science and Technology Project of the Education Department ofJiangxi Province~~
文摘This study aimed to investigate the toxicity of rare earth ion yttrium under the stress of leaching agent ammonium sulfate （NH4）2SO4. [Method] By using earthworms as indicator organisms of environmental pol ution, acute toxic ef-fects of rare earth yttrium on earthworms under the stress of ammonium sulfate were investigated with filter paper contact method. [Result] Under single stress of rare earth yttrium, the semi-lethal concentration after 48 and 24 h was LC50=213.41 mg/L and LC50=322.63 mg/L, respectively. ② Under single stress of ammonium sul-fate, the semi-lethal concentration after 48 h and 24 h was LC50=13.89 g/L and LC50=15.05 g/L, respectively. ③ In combined treatment of low concentration （10 g/L） of ammonium sulfate and different doses of rare earth yttrium, the semi-lethal con-centration after 48 and 24 h was LC50=198.65 g/L and LC50=399.85 g/L, respective-ly; in combined treatment of middle concentration （14 g/L） of ammonium sulfate and different doses of rare earth yttrium, the semi-lethal concentration after 48 and 24 h was LC50=167.3 mg/L and LC50=256.73 mg/L, respectively; in combined treatment of high concentration （20 g/L） of ammonium sulfate and different doses of rare earth yttrium, the semi-lethal concentration after 48 h and 24 h was LC50=31.03 mg/L and LC50=127.65 mg/L, respectively. [Conclusion] Low concentration of ammonium sulfate could reduce the toxicity of rare earth yttrium to earthworms and produce certain antagonism against rare earth yttrium; middle concentration ammonium sulfate in-creased the toxicity of rare earth yttrium to earthworms and produced relatively sig-nificant synergistic effects; high concentration ammonium sulfate significantly in-creased the toxicity of rare earth yttrium to earthworms. Compared with ammonium sulfate, dead earthworms exposed to rare earth yttrium were more easily fractured, and living earthworms showed insensitive response to acupuncture.
基金Supported by Science Research Program of the Department of Education of SichuanProvince(11ZA233)~~
文摘The response of the superoxide dismutase （SOD） activities of earthworm （Eisenia fetida） to soil plumbum （Pb） pol ution was studied in the artificial soil test. The results indicated that the SOD activity in earthworm exposed to low-concentra-tion Pb declined on the 5th day of acute toxicity test, while that exposed to high-concentration Pb increased by different extents. On the 15th day, the SOD activity increased slightly along with soil Pb concentration increasing.
文摘Acetochlor and methamidophos are two important agrochemicals which are widely applied to agricultural production in northeast China. The investigation on the earthworm Eisenia fetida as an important type of soil animals exposed to single and binary-combined contamination of acetochlor and methamidophos was thus carried out. The single toxic effect test showed that the two agrochemicals had their toxicity to the earthworms living in phaiozem. Acetochlor had a stronger acute toxic effect on the earthworms than methamidophos. The mortality of the earthworms exposed to individual acetochlor and methamidophos changed with an increase in the exposure time and the exposed concentrations. The LD50 value of acetochlor and methamidophos toxic to the earthworms was 115.6-275,3 and 29.5-228.6 mg/kg, respectively. The weight of the earthworms was a more sensitive index compared to the mortality in indicating toxic effects of acetochlor and methamidophos in phaiozem. When considering both the mortality and the body-weight change, the combined pollution of acetochlor and methamidophos in phaiozem resulted in their synergic toxic effects on the earthworms.
基金The National Basic Research Program (973) of China (No. 2004CB18503)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.20337010) the Key Program of Basic Research of Shanghai City (No. 04JC14051)
文摘The DNA-damaging effects of the combined pollution of heavy metal and organic contamination on earthworms were evaluated by single cell gel electrophoresis （SCGE） assay. Earthworms Eisenia andrei were exposed to single or combined test compounds in different doses of cadmium （Cd） 5, 10, 50 mg/kg and phenanthrene （Phe） 0.5, 2.5, 12.5 mg/kg with a treatment of 14 d. In SCGE assay, isolated coelomcytes and electrophoresis were employed to determine DNA damage degree after a 14-d treatment by test compounds. The results showed that there was a significant statistical difference between earthworms treated with Cd combined Phe with them treated alone with Cd or Phe. The Olive tail moment （OTM） of SCGE assay using earthworm coelomcytes appears to be a sensitive biomarker for evaluating exposure to genotoxic compounds. These tests also revealed that the interaction between Cd and Phe to DNA damaging effects was negative, and was strongly dependent on the concentration of pollution. This study corresponds to exploratory phase in order to reveal interaction effects of heavy metal and organic contamination on earthworms and then to set up more in-depth analysis to increase progressively the understanding of the genotoxicity mechanisms involved.
文摘The electroosmotic flow near an earthworm surface is simulated numerically to further understand the anti soil adhesion mechanism of earthworm. A lattice Poisson method is employed to solve electric potential and charge .distributiorts in the electric double layer along the earthworm surface. The external electric field is obtained by solving a Laplace equation. The electroosmotic flow controlled by the Navier-Stokes equations with external body force is simulated by the lattice Boltzmann method. A benchmark test shows that accurate electric potential distributions can be obtained by the LPM. The simulation shows that the moving vortices, which probably contribute to anti soil adhesion, are formed near earthworm body surface by the nonuniform and variational electrical force.
基金Preject supported by the New Century Excellent Talents in Chinese Uni-versity (No. NCET-04-0914)the National Natural Science Foundationof China (No. 30640022)Yunnan Natural Sciences Foundations (No.2002C0001Z, 2005C0004Q).
文摘Earthworm toxicity tests are useful tools for terrestrial risk assessment but require a hierarchy of test designs that differ in effect levels （behavior, sublethal, lethal）. In this study, the toxicity of chlorpyrifos contaminated soil on earthworms was assessed. In addition to the acute and chronic tests, an avoidance response test was applied. Earthworms were exposed to sublethal and lethal concentration of chlorpyrifos, and evaluated for acute toxicity, growth, fecundity and avoidance response after a certain exposure period. The test methods covered all important ecological relevant endpoints （acute, chronic, behavioral）. Concentration of 78.91 mg/kg, chlorpyrifos caused significant toxic effects in all test methods, but at lower test concentrations, only significant chronic toxic effects could be observed. In present study, chlorpyrifos had adverse effect on growth and fecundity in earthworm exposed to 5 mg/kg chlorpyrifos after eight weeks. The avoidance response test, however, showed significant repellent effects at concentration of 40 mg/kg chlorpyrifos. For chlorpyrifos, concentration affecting avoidance response was far greater than growth and fecundity, it seemed likely that earthworms were not able to escape from pesticide-contaminated soil into the clean soil in field and hence were exposed continuously to elevated concentrations of pesticides.
基金the Program for New Century Excellent Talents in Chinese University (No.NCET-04-0914)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.30570281)+1 种基金the Yunnan Natural Science Foundation (No.2002C0001Z,2005C0004Q)the Natural Science Foundation of Ministry of Education of Yuannan (No.08Z0028)
文摘A series of tests (lethal,sublethal,and behavioral) on earthworms were conducted as an eco-assessment of pesticides.In this study,the toxicity of cypermethrin-contaminating soil on adult and juvenile earthworms was assessed.Beside the acute and chronic tests,an avoidance response test was carried out.It was shown that the all-round toxicity from cypermethrin was weak on adult earthworms.Compared with adult earthworms,the toxicity of juvenile earthworms from cypermethrin especially chronic toxicity increased...
基金Under the auspices of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 40171053)
文摘Earthworms are the important constituents in the decayed food web and the main ecological conditioners in the process of decomposition and nutrient mineralization. The transformation of organic carbon (C) and total nitrogen (N) in the broad-leaved litters ingested by earthworms was researched by means of a laboratory experiment. Experimental samples were collected from broad-leaved Korea Pine mixed forest in Liangshui National Natural Reserve (47°10′50″N, 128°53′20″E) in the northeastern Xiao Hinggan Mountains of Northeast China. The contents of organic C and total N in earthworms, leaf litters and earthworm faeces were analyzed. Results show that the organic C content was in the fol- lowing order: leaf litters>faeces>earthworms, while total N content was contrary to that of the organic C. The organic C contents in the different leaf litters were in the following order: Tilia amurensis>Betula costata>Acer mono, whereas the total N contents in the different leaf litters were: Betula costata>Tilia amurensis>Acer mono. The contents of organic C and total N in the faeces from the different leaf litters were almost consistent with the contents of the leaf litters. After the leaf litters were ingested by earthworms, the organic C, which was transformed to increase earthworms' weights, ac- counted for 3.90%-13.31% of the total ingestion by earthworms, while that in the earthworm faeces accounted for 6.14%-13.70%. The transformed organic C through the other metabolism (e.g., respiration) of earthworms accounted for 75.04%-89.92%. The ingested organic C by earthworms was mostly used for metabolic activities. The N ingested by earthworms was less than organic C. It is estimated that 37.08% of total N was transformed to increase the earthworm's weight, 19.97% into earthworm faeces and 47.86% for the consumption of the earthworm's activities. The earthworms not only increased the content of organic C and total N in the soil, but also decreased the values of C/N in the soil and leaf litters. Earthworms play a major role in the leaf litters' decomposition and transformation.
文摘The hepatoprotective potential of earthworm extract (EE) (Lampito mauritii, Kinberg) was evaluated against paracetamol-induced liver injury in Wistar albino rat, in comparison with silymarin, the standard hepatoprotective drug. We observed a reduction in liver antioxidants, such as glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and catalase (CAT) and in serum total protein, and an increase in serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), serum aspertate aminotranferase (AST), serum alanine aminotranferase (ALT), bilirubin and liver thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) due to liver injury in the paracetamol-administered rats (2 g/kg). On the contrary, increased activities of liver GSH, SOD, GPx, CAT and serum total protein level, and decrease in the contents of serum ALP, AST, ALT, bilirubin and liver TBARS were observed in rats administered with different doses of EE (100, 200 and 300 mg/kg), which are similar to the activities of hepato-protective drug silymarin (150 mg/kg). The mode of action of EE as evidenced by the above parameters may suggest that EE, on the one hand, prevents the formation of the reactive oxygen groups, or scavenges these groups, thereby preventing the damage on the hepatic cells, and, on the other hand, modulates the genes responsible for synthesis of antioxidant enzymes such as GPx, CAT and SOD in liver tissue and decreases the serum enzymatic activities such as ALP, AST and ALT.
文摘Aim: To explore the effect of exposure to commercial Parathion~ (Pc) on the reproductive parameters (sperm and cocoon production and genotoxicity on male germ cells), the survival, the body weight and the gross anatomical changes in Eiseniafoetida. Methods: Three doses of Pc(1478, 739 and 444 mg/kg of soil) and three time intervals of exposure (5, 15 and 30 days) were used. Results: All treated animals were affected. An acute genotoxic effect, revealed by DNA fragmentation (comet assay), was seen by 5 days. Alterations in reproductive parameters were conspicuous in regard to the number of sperm, cocoons and worms born, and the histological observation of the gonads and seminal receptacles. In addition, the body weight and survival rate were decreased. Neuromuscular function was also affected. Conclusion: Earthworms are suitable bioindicators of chemical contamination of the soil, their advantage being their easy and economical handling
文摘The earthworms Pheretima carnosaf Drawida gisti and Eisenia foetida were studied to compare theircontributions to the decomposition of various organic materials surface-applied on red soil in a 165-daygreenhouse experiment. The native species Pheretima caruosa and Drawida gisti were equally effective inaccelerating the decomposition of maize residue, according to fresh body weight, while commercial speciesEisenia foetida had no significant influence on dry mass loss of maize residue. Liming with CaCO3 or CaOshowed little effect on maize residue breakdown involved by Pheretima carnosal but it inhibited this processinvolved by Drawida gisti. The capability of Pheretima carnosa to the decomposition of five kinds of organicmaterials was thoroughly examined. The dry mass losses in worm treatments were in the order of soybeanresidue > maize residue > pig manure > semi-decayed maize > ryegrass. However, the relative contributionsof the earthworm to dry mass loss were in the order of pig manure (89.8%) > semi-decayed maize residue(49.1%) > maize residue (29.4%) > soybean residue (20.9%) > ryegrass residue (16.5%). Pheretima carnosaconsumed 20~120 mg dry weight of organic material per gram fresh weight of biomass per day.
基金supported by the Research Grant for Faculty(Grant No.R&J/Budget/2011-12/251)
文摘Objective:To isolate,partially purify and evaluate the cytotoxic and antitumor activity of a serine protease from the chosen Indian earthworm Pheretima posthuma.Methods:Whole animal extract was prepared and purified its protein constituents by size and charge based chromatographic separation techniques using Sephadex G-50 and DEAE-Cellulose resin respectively.Average molecular weight of the protein isolate was determined and analyzed for its cytotoxic property against Vero cells in different dilutions(1:20 and 1:40)and anti-tumor activity by MTT assay(a colorimetric assay)using breast cancer cell line MCF-7,with tamoxifen as standard.Results:One of the protein constituents after purification was characterized as serine protease by Caseinolytic plate diffusion assay.Average molecular weight of this purified isolate was determined,by SDS-PAGE analysis with standard protein ladder,as of 15 kDa.The performed tests suggested that the 15kDa fraction has potent cytotoxic activity and satisfactory antitumor activity as well in vitro.Conclusions:Exact molecular mechanism of the cytotoxic and antitumor activities is yet to be explored and currently we are working on ultra-purification and biophysical characterization of this fraction.Further investigation into the mechanism(s)of cytotoxic and antitumor activities at molecular level would be useful in treatment of various classes of cancer and viral infections in future.
基金supported by the China 948Program of National Forestry Bureau(2015-4-39)the National Science Foundation of China(No.41461052+1 种基金31660191)Yunnan education department project(2017YJS089)
文摘Soil fauna can sensitively respond to alterations in soil environment induced by land-use changes.However,little is known about the impact of urban land-use changes on earthworm communities.In this study,three land-use types(i.e.,forest,nursery and abandoned lands)were chosen to identify differences in diversity,abundance and biomass of earthworm community in Kunming City.Urban land-use had a pronounced difference in species composition,evenness and diversity of earthworm communities.Forest land had the highest density,biomass and diversity of the earthworm communities.Total abundance was dominated by endogeic species in nursery land(70%)and abandoned land(80%),whereas in the forest land,the earthworm community comprised epigeic,endogeic and anecic species.Temporal changes in earthworm density and biomass were also significantly affected by land-use change.Total density and biomass of earthworms in the forest and nursery lands were highest in September,but highest in the abandoned land in October.The influence of soil physicochemical properties on the earthworm density and biomass also varied with land-use types.Soil temperature significantly affected earthworm density and biomass in the three land-use types.Soil pH was positively correlated with earthworm biomass in the forest land,but negatively associated with earthworm density in the abandoned land.Soil organic matter was positively correlated only with density and biomass of earthworms in the nursery and abandoned lands.Our results suggest that the species composition,abundance and biomass of earthworm communities can be determined by the modification of soil properties associated with urban land-use type.
基金Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.39970140)the Department of Science andTechnology of Guangdong Province, Chinathe Open Foundation of Heshan Hilly Land Interdisciplinary Experimental Station of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), and the 100 Talents Program of CAS.
文摘This study was conducted to examine the responses of earthworms to soil organic matter and litter at different decomposition stages and their contributions in litter decomposition processes in southern subtropical areas of China. Two plantations were selected as the study sites: Site I was dominated by the exotic endogeic earthworm species Ocnerodrilus occidentalis; Site II was dominated by epigeic species Amynthas corticis. After the fallen litter and earthworms were removed or expelled, four treatments were set up as: reserving the top soil (0–5 cm, equal to H layer) (H), removing the top soil and adding fresh litter (Le), removing the top soil and adding semi-decomposed litter (Li), and a control with no top soil nor any litter (CK). Five randomized blocks that were enclosed with nylon nets on the top were set up in each site, and then the four treatments were arranged randomly in each block. After 2–3 months, earthworms were collected using the formalin method. The results showed that Ocnerodrilus occidentalis preferred Treatment H though it was found in Treatments Le and Li as well; Amynthas corticis preferred Treatment Li though sometimes it also appeared in Treatment H; and Amynthas sp., another epigeic species, was mainly present under Treatment Le and only appeared in Treatment H occasionally. These findings confirmed that earthworm species belonging to different ecological groups had different responses to organic matter at different decomposition stages. The impacts of earthworm communities dominated by O. occidentalis mainly appeared at the later periods of litter decomposition.
基金Key Scientific Program of Scihuan Provincial Department of Education."Research on Soil Heavy Metal Pollution Biological Track Examination and Soil Repaired by Earthworm"Phased Research Results~~
文摘The research explored response of cellulase in Eisenia fetida in soils with Cd at different concentrations, as per artificial soil test. The results indicated that as Cd concentration increased, the activity of cellulase was decreasing in a short peri- od, which suggested that cellulase activity was inhibited to certain extent. As Cd concentration and the treatment period grew, the activities increased in varying de- grees. With Cd at a high concentrate, Cd had a kind of induction effects on cellu- lase activity in earthworms.
基金Project supported bythe National Natural Science Foundation of China (2002CB410800)
文摘The effects of Rare Earth Element Lan on the activities of cellulose, catalase, peroxidase and superoxide dismutasein in earthworm were carried out by natural soil test. The results indicated that Lan can significantly suppress the activity of cellulose. The responses of three enzymes in earthworm to Lan were different, Lan mostly affects catalase activity and inhibited catalase activity throughout the experiment. Peroxidase activity tend to 'promote weakly and inhibited strongly' when short term of exposure to Lan, while 'inhibited weakly and promote strongly' as a function of time. In comparison, Lan had little influence on the activity of superoxide dismutase. The variance analysis results showed that the concentration of Lan significantly affected the activities of cellulose and CAT but had no obvious influence on the activities of SOD and POD. The treatment time and the interactive effect between treatment concentrations and time had very significant effect on the activities of cellulose, SOD, CAT and POD.
