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African swine fever virus (ASFV) is a highly pathogenic and rapidly disseminated virus with strong viability in the environment, suggesting the importance of environmental detection for prevention and control in all the pig industry. However, the detection results of environmental swabs cannot always reflect the accurate status of viral pollution, leading to persistent ASFV environmental contamination. In this study, we developed an ASFV eluant with higher environmental ASFV detection efficiency relative to 0.85% saline solution, which obtains the patent certificate issued by the China Intellectual Property Office (patent number:202010976050.9). qPCR analysis showed that in the environmental swab samples, the number of viral copies was 100 times higher for the ASFV eluant treatment than the traditional eluant treatment (0.85% saline solution). And besides, the high sensitivity of the ASFV eluant had be verified in a slaughterhouse environmental sampling detection. In soil samples, the ASFV eluent showed the same extraction effect as the TIANamp Soil DNA Kit, in contrast to no extraction effect for 0.85% saline solution. Simultaneously, this eluent could protect ASFV from degradation and allow the transportation of samples at ambient temperature without refrigeration. In clinical practice, we monitored the environmental contamination condition of the ASFV in a large-scale pig farm. The results shown that the ASFV load decreased after every disinfection in environment. This study provides an effective solution for surveilling the potential threat of ASFV in environment. Key points: The ASFV eluant can significantly improve the positive detection rate in environmental samples in clinical practice. The ASFV eluant is economical and convenient compared to commercial kit.. The ASFV eluant can provide a caution for the environmental safety for China's pig industries, slaughter houses, and transportations and facilitate ASFV eradication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Elemene emulsion injection (EEI) has been approved for interventional and intracavitary chemotherapy in treating malignant ascites in China, but few studies have focused on the effects of EEI on gut microbiota and metabolites. In this study, we investigated the effects of EEI on the fecal microbiota and metabolites in healthy Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Methods: We randomly assigned 18 male SD rats to three groups (n = 6 in each group): the sham group (group S), the low-concentration EEI group (L-EEI), and the high-concentration EEI group (H-EEI). The L-EEI and H-EEI rats were administered 14 days of consecutive EEI, 20 mg/kg, and 40 mg/kg intraperitoneally (IP). Group S rats were administered the same volume of normal saline. On day 14, each animal's feces were collected for metagenomic sequencing andmetabolomic analysis, and the colonic contents were collected for 16S rRNA sequencing. Results: EEI could alter the b-diversity but not the a-diversity of the fecal microbiota and induce structural changes in the fecal microbiota. Different concentrations of EEI affect the fecal microbiota differently. The effects of different EEI concentrations on the top 20 bacteria with significant differences at the species level among the three groups were roughly divided into three categories: (1) A positive or negative correlation with the different EEI concentrations. The abundance of Ileibacterium Valens increased as the EEI concentration increased, while the abundance of Firmicutes bacteria andClostridiumsp.CAC: 273 decreased. (2) Themicrobiota showed a tendency to increase first, then decrease or decrease first, and then increase as EEI concentration increased--the abundance of Prevotella sp. PCHR, Escherichia coli, and Candidatus Amulumruptor caecigallinarius tended to decrease with L-EEI but significantly increased with H-EEI. In contrast, L-EEI significantly increased Ruminococcus bromii and Dorea sp. 5-2 abundance, and Oscillibacter sp. 1-3 abundance tended to increase, while H-EEI significantly decreased them. (3) L-EEI and H-EEI decreased the abundance of bacteria (Ruminococcaceae bacterium, Romboutsia ilealis, and Staphylococcus xylosus). Fecal metabolites, like microbiota, were sensitive to different EEI concentrations and correlated with fecal microbiota and potential biomarkers. Conclusion: This study shows that intraperitoneal EEI modulates the composition of rat fecal microbiota and metabolites, particularly the gut microbiota's sensitivity to different concentrations of EEI. The impact of changes in the microbiota on human health remains unknown, particularly EEI's efficacy in treating tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molecular hydrogen (H2) is a colorless and odorless gas. Studies have shown that H2 inhalation has the therapeutic effects in many animal studies and clinical trials, and its application is recommended in the novel coronavirus pneumonia treatment guidelines in China recently. H2 has a relatively small molecular mass, which helps it quickly spread and penetrate cell membranes to exert a wide range of biological effects. It may play a role in the treatment and prevention of a variety of acute and chronic inflammatory diseases, such as acute pancreatitis, sepsis, respiratory disease, ischemia reperfusion injury diseases, autoimmunity diseases, etc.. H2 is primarily administered via inhalation, drinking H2-rich water, or injection of H2 saline. It may participate in the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity (mitochondrial energy metabolism), immune system regulation, and cell death (apoptosis, autophagy, and pyroptosis) through annihilating excess reactive oxygen species production and modulating nuclear transcription factor. However, the underlying mechanism of H2 has not yet been fully revealed. Owing to its safety and potential efficacy, H2 has a promising potential for clinical use against many diseases. This review will demonstrate the role of H2 in antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic effects and its underlying mechanism, particularly in coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), providing strategies for the medical application of H2 for various diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowledge of the behavior of highly compacted expansive clays, as an engineered barrier, in disposal of high-level nuclear waste (HLW) systems to prevent the pollution due to migration of radionuclide is extremely essential. The prominent properties of globally and widely used bentonites have been extensively studied during past two decades. In China, GaoMiaoZi (GMZ) bentonite is the first choice as a buffer or backfill material for deep geological repositories. This review article presents the recent progresses of knowledge on water retention properties, hydromechanical behavior, and fractal characteristics of GMZ bentonite-based materials, by reviewing 217 internationally published research articles. Firstly, the current literature regarding hydrogeochemical and mechanical characteristics of GMZ bentonite influenced by various saline solutions are critically summarized and reviewed. Then, the role of osmotic suction π alongside the application of surface fractal dimension Ds is presented from the standpoint of fractal theory. Finally, the strength characteristics of GMZ bentonites using fractal approach have been discussed. Furthermore, this study sheds light on gaps, opportunities, and further research for understanding and analyzing the long-term hydromechanical characteristics of the designed backfill material, from the standpoint of surface fractality of bentonites, and implications of sustainable buffer materials in the field of geoenvironmental engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The erosion resistance of magnesium phosphate cement slurry to a solution mimicking saline soil was studied. • Resistance to saline soil erosion was evaluated by measuring the cement's macro-mechanical properties. • The mechanism of resistance to saline soil erosion was studied by microstructural analysis. The durability of concrete structures is affected by dry-wet and freeze–thaw cycling, and erosion by saline soils, such as those common to western China. In this study, the anti-erosion properties of magnesium phosphate cement paste (MPC) in salinized soil were investigated. The influences of the magnesium-to-phosphorus ratio (M/P), water-to-cement ratio (W/C), borax-to-magnesium ratio (B/M) and fly ash admixtures were studied in MPC specimens subjected to dry-wet cycle tests in water and saline solutions, with naturally cured specimens used as controls. The compressive strength of MPC was analysed by range analysis, analysis of variance and factor index analysis under various numbers of dry-wet cycles. Mass losses were quantified, morphologies were observed, and X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and thermogravimetric analysis (TG-DSC) were used to assess MPC before and after erosion. It was found that M/P and B/M were the major influences on the compressive strength of MPC. In MPC under natural curing, M/P was a strong influence on strength, while in MPC in water and saline solution, B/M was more important. The MPC slurry was most resistant to saline soil erosion with a 20% fly ash admixture, M/P = 2.5, borax admixture = 0.09 and water-cement ratio = 0.17. After dry-wet cycling, the MPC's mass in water gradually decreased while that in saline solution gradually increased. With 40% fly ash, the compressive strength corrosion resistance coefficient of MPC placed in saline solution for 180 dry-wet cycles was 78.28%, indicating that a moderate amount of fly ash can enhance the saline soil anti-erosion performance of MPC. According to TG-DSC and XRD analyses, when MPC was subject to dry-wet cycling in water, the content of MgKPO 4 ·6H 2 O(MKP) was the highest. The content was lower under natural curing and lowest in the saline solution. According to SEM, the degree of hydration of MPC was higher under dry-wet cycling than under natural curing, but the crystal structure of MKP was loosely arranged, which reduced the strength of the MPC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past six decades, coastal wetlands in China have experienced rapid and extensive agricultural reclamation. In the context of saline conditions, long-term effect of cultivation after reclamation on soil chemical properties has not been well understood. We studied this issue using a case of approximately 60-years cultivation of a coastal saline marsh in Bohai Rim, northern China. The results showed that long-term reclamation significantly decreased soil organic carbon (SOC) (−42.2%) and total nitrogen (TN) (−25.8%) at surface layer (0–30 cm) as well as their stratification ratios (SRs) (0–5 cm:50–70 cm and 5–10 cm:50–70 cm). However, there was no significant change in total phosphorus (TP) as well as its SRs under cultivation. Cultivation markedly reduced ratios of SOC to TN, SOC to TP and TN to TP at surface layer (0–30 cm) and their SRs (0–5 cm:50–70 cm). After cultivation, electrical conductivity and salinity significantly decreased by 60.1% and 55.3% at 0–100 cm layer, respectively, suggesting a great desalinization. In contrast, soil pH at 20–70 cm horizons notably increased as an effect of reclamation. Cultivation also changed compositions of cations at 0–10 cm layer and anions at 5–100 cm layer, mainly decreasing the proportion of Na+, Cl− and SO42−. Furthermore, cultivation significantly reduced the sodium adsorption ratio and exchangeable sodium percentage in plow-layer (0–20 cm) but not residual sodium carbonate, suggesting a reduction in sodium harm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study investigated the energy productivity and input sensitivity of sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench), as compared with cotton and maize, at two coastal saline-alkali sites in Shandong Province, China. The data were collected quantitatively using a questionnaire for face-to-face interviewing of 116 farmers. The sorghum showed a lower energy input requirement than cotton and maize. The energy productivity indices were 12.4 and 9.2 for sweet sorghum, which were much higher than for cotton (3.1) at Wudi and maize (8.4) at Wendeng, respectively. Nitrogen fertilisation contributed the highest proportions (between 56% and 69% for the three crops) to the total energy consumption, as compared with the seed, labour, machinery, diesel fuel, phosphorus and potassium fertilisers, irrigation water, plastic film, and pesticides. All of the crops consumed much more non-renewable energy than renewable energy. According to the Cobb–Douglas production function, the diesel and nitrogen fertiliser energy inputs had a significantly positive impact on the sweet sorghum energy output. The energy crop showed an increasing return to scale, with cotton showing a constant and maize a decreasing return. These findings indicate that the sweet sorghum energy output is possible to be increased with further technical research and development. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In order to mitigate the adverse impacts of climate change, CO2 captured from carbon emitters like coal-fired power plants may be stored in deep saline aquifers. This action may cause pressure changes, which affect subsurface volumes. The main purpose of this study is to evaluate the pressure changes during CO2 sequestration in CO2 storage formation embedded in a sequence of aquifers and aquitard of Qianjiang depression area in China. In order to demonstrate the transient pressure, we have conducted TOUGH2 modeling of CO2 injection into closed formations of different thicknesses assuming impermeable boundaries. A 2-D radially symmetric model was developed to represent a CO2 storage site in the Qianjiang depression area. The storage formation into which CO2 was injected is 120 m thick and located at a depth of about 1380m below the ground surface. The CO2 injection thickness was 15m from the bottom of the storage formation. Carbon dioxide was injected into a zone of 77 m radial extent representing a few distributed wells. Injection occurs at an annual rate of 2.488 * 10 7 tonnes of CO2 representing 16 times the CO2 rate captured from a medium-size-coal-fired power plant. The simulation runs cover a time period of 100 years altogether, comprising the 30-year injection period and a 70-year post-injection period. The pressure buildup results after one year never attains 50% of initial pressure (maximum tolerable pressure buildup). Our simulation results indicate that interlayer pressure propagation through a sequence of aquitard/aquifer will not affect the top aquifer. Moderate pressure increases occur in top aquifer only in case when pore compressibility was reduced by one order of magnitude. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Abundant aryl isoprenoids have been detected in source rock extracts from the 25–65Ma saline lacustrine formations in the western Qaidam Basin, NW China. Identification was based mainly on comparison of mass spectra and gas chromatographic behaviour with literature data. Two pseudohomologous series in the range C13–C40 were assigned as 2,3,6- and 2,3,4-trimethyl monoaryl isoprenoids. The C40 2,3,4-trimethylaryl isoprenoid, okenane, was the most abundant component of the series, while its C40 2,3,6-trimethylaryl isomer, chlorobactane, was present in low abundance. Two C40 monoaromatic isoprenoids with a cyclohexyl ring were tentatively assigned as β-isorenieratane and β-renierapurpurane. One C40 diaryl isoprenoid was identified as isorenieratane. Identification of okenane, chlorobactane and isorenieratane was confirmed by co-elution experiments using synthetic standards. In addition, two novel series of aryl isoprenoids in the C12–C39 range were tentatively assigned as 2,6- and 2,3-dimethylaryl isoprenoids. The C39 2,3-dimethylaryl isoprenoid homologue was the most abundant component of the series, while the C39 2,6-dimethylaryl isomer was only present in low abundance. Two C39 monoaromatic bicyclic compounds were tentatively assigned as 2,6- and 2,3-dimethylaryl isoprenoids with a terminal cyclohexyl ring. Furthermore, a minor C38 component was tentatively assigned as a diaryl isoprenoid with a 2,3-/2,3-dimethyl substitution pattern. These dimethylaryl isoprenoids seem to be formed by demethylation of their parent trimethylaryl isoprenoid counterparts, the location of the demethylated position being exclusively at C-3, C-4 or C-6 of the aromatic ring. This specificity points to a biologically-mediated process (as opposed to an abiotic, maturity-related transformation) that needs to be further investigated. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The United States and China are the two largest emitters of greenhouse gases in the world and their projected continued growth and reliance on fossil fuels–especially coal–make them strong candidates for the large-scale deployment of carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS) systems in a greenhouse gas constrained world. Previous work has revealed that both nations have over 1600 large electric utility and other industrial point CO2 sources as well as very large CO2 storage resources on the order of 2000 billion metric tons (Gt) of onshore storage capacity. In each case, the vast majority of this capacity is found in deep saline formations. In both the USA and China, candidate storage reservoirs are likely to be widely accessible with over 80% of these large industrial CO2 sources having a CO2 storage option within just 80 km. This suggests a strong potential for CCS to help bring about meaningful, sustained CO2 emissions reductions for these large, vibrant economies. However, while the USA and China possess many similarities with regards to the potential value that CCS might provide, including the range of costs at which CCS may be available to most large CO2 sources in each nation, there are a number of more subtle differences that may help us to understand the ways in which CCS deployment may differ as the the two nations work together–and in step with the rest of the world–to most efficiently reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This paper details the first ever analysis of CCS deployment costs in these two countries based on methodologically comparable CO2 source and sink inventories, economic analysis, geospatial source-sink matching and cost curve modeling. This type of analysis provides valuable insight into the degree to which early and sustained opportunities for climate change mitigation via commercial-scale CCS are available to the two countries, and could facilitate greater collaboration in areas where those opportunities overlap. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Normal planting of full-season cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) (NPF) in saline fields of the Yellow River vaHey, China, is currently faced with poor stand establishment, late maturity, and increasing cost of inputs. Our objective was to determine if late planting of short-season cotton (LPS) may alleviate these problems. In the first experiment, the effects of cultivar, planting date, seeding rate, and their interactions on stand establishment and seedling Na+ and malondialdehyde concentrations were studied. We also compared varietal effects, input costs, and gross economic returns under NPF and LPS. Late planting improved stand establishment due to increased temperature and reduced Na+ and malondialdehyde concentrations in cotton tissues. The LPS at 21 kg seeds ha-1 (LPSM) and NPF at 30 kg seeds ha-1 (NPFH) yielded better than other treatment combinations. Varietal effects on lint yield were not significant. The output value of both systems was comparable; however, the net revenue from LPSM was 32% greater than that from NPFH due to lower material cost and labor inputs. Late planting of short-season cotton is a promising option for cotton production in saline areas of the Yellow River delta and probably in other cotton-growing areas with similar ecologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate the expression patterns of miRNA-let 7a, 7b, and 7c in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in infants with asthma and airway foreign bodies. Between January 2016 and February 2017, 27 infants were included and divided into observation group (infants with asthma, n = 15) and control group (infants with airway foreign bodies, n = 12). The differential expression profiles of miRNA-let 7a, 7b, and 7c were determined by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) from infants of the 2 groups. The BALF was collected from infants undergoing flexible bronchoscopy. MiRNA-let 7a, 7b, and 7c increased significantly in infants from observation group as compared with control group (2.72 ± 0.48 vs 1, 8.23 ± 1.64 vs 1, 3.16 ± 0.62 vs 1, respectively). The increased expression of miRNA-let 7a, 7b, and 7c were associated with the asthma of infants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]