Search

CH4 storage capacity in sII hydrate may be tuned to exceed the acknowledged limit of about 115.36 v/v, thus enhancing the commercialization potential of the Solidified Natural Gas (SNG) technology for non-explosive, long-term natural gas storage.

Hainan Province is in a tropical area of China and previously experienced serious P. falciparum and P. vivax malaria epidemics. After nearly 70 consecutive years of malaria prevention and control, malaria in Hainan has gradually been eliminated. To achieve the elimination of malaria, Hainan enacted six stages: investigative research and pilot prevention and control, large-scale antimalaria measures, adjustment of strategies for prevention and control, joint prevention and control measures, global funding of routine malaria control, and malaria elimination. Different strategies for malaria control were adopted at different stages. Malaria was most prevalent in the mountainous areas of central and southern Hainan, which contain a high-risk population (the forest goers) and two highly effective malaria vectors (An. dirus and An. minimus). Forest goers have been a high-risk population for malaria in Hainan since their identification in the 1990s. This paper summarizes malaria monitoring in forest goers and the response of forest goers to malaria control and elimination, distilling specific malaria control and elimination measures via case studies in Hainan Province. Two case studies in the malaria control stage demonstrated different measures for outbreaks and sporadic cases in forest goers. In view of the malaria outbreak in Sanya during the elimination stage, three-layered strategies (TLSs) were implemented to control outbreaks and improve control measures. Moreover, this paper also illustrates specific management measures to prevent malaria retransmission from sporadic imported malaria cases during the elimination phase. Hainan finally eliminated malaria in 2020. However, the risk of malaria retransmission is still high due to the prevalence of effective malaria vectors in Hainan, and forest goers are still a high-risk population for malaria retransmission.

Transgelin‐like protein 1 (TLP‐1) was identified from the shell of Mytilus coruscus as a novel 19 kDa shell matrix protein with a calponin homology domain. Localization of TLP‐1 in biomineralization‐related tissues was determined. The effects of recombinant TLP‐1 on calcium carbonate crystallization were studied to determine its possible function in shell mineralization., Transgelin is an actin cross‐linking/gelling protein of the calponin family, which is associated with actin stress fibres, cell motility, adhesion and the maintenance of cell morphology. Transgelin‐like proteins (TLPs) have also been identified as shell matrix proteins (SMPs) in several mollusc species; however, the functions of TLPs in biomineralization remain unknown. Transgelin‐like protein 1 (TLP‐1) was previously identified from the shell of Mytilus coruscus as a novel 19 kDa SMP with a calponin homology (CH) domain. To understand the role of TLP‐1 in shell formation, the expression level and localization of the TLP‐1 gene in biomineralization‐related tissues were determined in this study. Furthermore, recombinant TLP‐1 was expressed in a prokaryotic expression system with codon optimization, and an anti‐rTLP‐1 antibody was prepared based on the expressed recombinant TLP‐1 (rTLP‐1) protein. In vitro, rTLP‐1 induced the formation of CaCO3 polymorphic crystals with distinct morphologies and inhibited crystallization rate and crystal interactions. Immunohistochemical, immunofluorescence, and pull‐down analyses using the anti‐rTLP‐1 antibody revealed the specific locations of TLP‐1 in biomineralization‐related tissues and shell myostracum layer, and suggested the existence of a possible TLP‐1 interaction network in the shell matrix. Our results are beneficial for understanding the functions of TLP‐1, particularly through its CH domain, during shell mineralization.

BackgroundForest-goers have been the most severely infected by malaria in Hainan since the 1990s. In 2015, there were successively 6 cases of P. malariae infection as an outbreak by forest-goers in Sanya city, Hainan Province. According to the 1-3-7 approach, active case detection(ACD) was performed with guidance from information from Case 1. Cases 2-4 had the same epidemiological history as Case 1 and were similarly confirmed to be infected with P. malariae. However, the clues from Case1 came to an end and it was uncertain whether there were other potential infection sources or whether transmission was established in local villages. MethodsThere was no detailed strategy for the outbreak until 2015, although the 1-3-7 approach was certified to be effective for sporadic case. A retrospective study was conducted on this epidemic of P. malariae transmission among forest-goers in Hainan, 2015. A three-layer strategy (TLS) that integrated malaria joint prevention and control strategies(JPCS) and the 1-3-7 approach was first generated and applied to the disposal of the outbreak in Sanya in 2015, and its was also applied to strengthen epidemic measures to prevent emergence by residual foci from 2016 to 2018. The data were entered by Microsoft Office Excel 2007 for collection and statistic analysis by SPSS.ResultsWith guideline of TLS, three villages in Gaofeng town, Sanya city and Seven villages in Xinzheng Town, Baoting County, were selected as the first layer with design of TLS. In the first layer, 1,823 blood slides and PCR screening from villages in Baoting and Sanya were conducted on all residents by active case detection (ACD) and four cases were identified. In the second layers, passive case detection (PCD) and ACD for forest-goers were conducted and 7,831 blood slides were screened on all forest-goers. In the third layer, PCD was conducted for forest-goers, and 95,350 blood slides were screened on all forest-goers. Meanwhile, vector surveillance and control were also conducted to support foci disposals and to minimize the possibility of transmission. From 2016 to 2018, TLS was also applied to strengthen epidemic measures to prevent emergence by residual foci. In the first layer, chemoprophylaxis and ACD were conducted on residents in the villages of the foci and the surrounding villages, and 89.5% residents accepted chemoprophylaxis. Chemoprophylaxis and ACD were conducted and 79.1% received chemoprophylaxis while seeking forest-goers in the second layer. In the third layer, 89.6% received chemoprophylaxis while seeking forest-goers. ConclusionsThe innovative strategy of TLS not only was successfully applied in an epidemic response strategy in Sanya in 2015 but also was implemented in a strengthened intervention on forest-goers from 2016 to 2018 and finally achieved the goal of eliminating malaria in 2020 as scheduled. TLS is suitable for outbreak by indigenous case of unknown causes or for sporadic cases with defects in epidemic information, while 1-3-7 approach is suitable for sporadic cases which have clearly epidemic clues. Furthermore, TLS could be one of the major achievements after 1-3-7 approach, targeting outbreak in elimination malaria.

Large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea) purchased from five different farming sites in Zhoushan Archipelago and Xiangshan Harbor in the East China Sea, China were analyzed for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Concentrations of PAHs and PCBs in the edible muscle of L. crocea ranged from 83.14 to 174.68 ng/g wet weight (or 266.89 to 695.24 ng/g dry weight) and 3.89 to 17.40 ng/g wet weight (or 15.50 to 54.25 ng/g dry weight), respectively. Incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) associated with the dietary intake of PAHs and PCBs in L. crocea was assessed. Results showed that levels of PAHs in L. crocea were high enough to cause potential carcinogenic risks for human consumption, while, levels of PCBs in fish samples were of low significant carcinogenic risk.

Spatial-seasonal variations, sources and correlations with seawater physiochemical factors and the pollution indexes of dissolved heavy metals in the surface seawater of the Yellow River Estuary in China were investigated. The concentrations of copper (Cu), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As) and mercury (Hg) had ranges of 0.04–31.0 (11.6 ± 7.08), 0.42–13.3 (5.61 ± 3.55), 1.97–42.2 (14.9 ± 12.0), 0.10–1.90 (0.66 ± 0.37), 0.16–5.89 (2.59 ± 1.12) and 0.10–0.52 μg/L (0.24 ± 0.07), respectively, throughout the four seasons of the year. The concentrations of Cu, Pb, Zn and Cd were significantly high in winter relative to those in the other seasons, and the highest concentrations of Zn and Hg were detected in spring. The single contaminator factors of the elements are in the following order: Pb > Hg > Cu > Zn > Cd > As. The obtained degree of contamination showed that the Yellow River Estuary was highly polluted. The Cu and Zn concentrations were significantly correlated with temperature and suspended particulate matter (SPM). The Cd concentrations were significantly correlated with temperature, SPM, chemical oxygen demand (COD) and dissolved oxygen (DO). The As concentrations were significantly correlated with temperature, salinity, SPM and DO. The Hg concentrations were significantly correlated with salinity. We performed hierarchical cluster and principal component analyses to investigate the possible sources of heavy metals. Agricultural, industrial and atmospheric deposition resources were found to be possible sources of dissolved heavy metals in the studied area. Longshore currents, upwelling and the physicochemical parameters were possible influence factors of dissolved heavy metals spatial and seasonal distribution.

Mollusk shells are products of biomineralization and possess excellent mechanical properties, and shell matrix proteins (SMPs) have important functions in shell formation. A novel SMP with a PDZ domain (PDZ-domain-containing-protein-1, PDCP-1) was identified from the shell matrices of Mytilus coruscus. In this study, the gene expression, function, and location of PDCP-1 were analyzed. PDCP-1 was characterized as an ∼70 kDa protein with a PDZ (postsynaptic density/discs large/zonula occludes) domain and a ZM (ZASP-like motif) domain. The PDCP-1 gene has a high expression level and specific location in the foot, mantle and adductor muscle. Recombinantly expressed PDCP-1 (rPDCP-1) altered the morphology of calcite crystals, the polymorph of calcite crystals, binding with both calcite and aragonite crystals, and inhibition of the crystallization rate of calcite crystals. In addition, anti-rPDCP-1 antibody was prepared, and immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence analyses revealed the specific location of PDCP-1 in the mantle, the adductor muscle, and the aragonite (nacre and myostracum) layer of the shell, suggesting multiple functions of PDCP-1 in biomineralization, muscle-shell attachment, and muscle attraction. Furthermore, pull-down analysis revealed 19 protein partners of PDCP-1 from the shell matrices, which accordingly provided a possible interaction network of PDCP-1 in the shell. These results expand the understanding of the functions of PDZ-domain-containing proteins (PDCPs) in biomineralization and the supramolecular chemistry that contributes to shell formation.

This study investigated ambient concentrations and potential sources of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in surface sediments from the Zhoushan Archipelago and adjacent Xiangshan Harbor. The ∑18PCB (total 18 PCB) concentrations ranged between 1.48 and 7.94ng/g d.w., average at 4.20ng/g d.w., presenting a low adverse environmental risk. Penta-CB was the dominant congener, contributing 46.01%-86.44% of the total PCBs. Concentrations of PCBs were highest in the northeastern part of the Zhoushan Archipelago and Xiangshan Harbor. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed that PCBs have a mixed origin; atmospheric deposition and PCB dispersion from paint flakings being the main sources of PCB pollution. Aroclor 1245 and Clophen A50 were the potential PCB sources in all sampling sites. This paper provides the first intensive survey and statistical analyses of PCB distributions and sources in the Zhoushan Archipelago and adjacent Xiangshan Harbor. This study may provide a reference to environmental protection and monitoring of PCB pollution in the East China Sea.

Mollusc shells are produced from calcified skeletons and have excellent mechanical properties. Shell matrix proteins (SMPs) have important functions in shell formation. A 16.6 kDa whirlin-like protein (WLP) with a PDZ domain was identified in the shell of Mytilus coruscus as a novel SMP. In this study, the expression, function, and location of WLP were analysed. The WLP gene was highly expressed and specifically located in the adductor muscle and mantle. The expression of recombinant WLP (rWLP) was associated with morphological change, polymorphic change, binding ability, and crystallization rate inhibition of the calcium carbonate crystals in vitro. In addition, an anti-rWLP antibody was prepared, and the results from immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence analyses revealed the specific location of the WLP in the mantle, adductor muscle, and myostracum layer of the shell, suggesting multiple functions for WLP in biomineralization, muscle-shell attachment, and muscle attraction. Furthermore, results from a pull-down analysis revealed 10 protein partners of WLP in the shell matrices and a possible network of interacting WLPs in the shell. In addition, in this study, one of the WLP partners, actin, was confirmed to have the ability to bind WLP. These results expand the understanding of the functions of PDZ-domain-containing proteins in biomineralization and provide clues for determining the mechanisms of myostracum formation and muscle-shell attachment.

A total of 84 surface seawater samples collected from Laoshan Bay, China during the period of 2017–2018 were analysed for physiochemical parameters and dissolved heavy metal concentrations. Cr and Hg concentrations are significantly higher in May than in November, whereas As, Cd and Pb concentrations are significantly higher in November than in May. The single-contaminator factors showed that the most and least dominant elements were Pb and As in both seasons, respectively. And the contamination degree of Laoshan Bay is low. Cr and Hg concentrations are significantly correlated with the physiochemical parameters except chemical oxygen demand (COD). Cu and Pb concentrations are not correlated with the physiochemical parameters. Principal component analysis is conducted to investigate the traces of the dissolved heavy metals. Ship repair activities during summer fishing moratorium and coal combustion have been identified as the major sources of the traces in the studied area in different seasons.

Zhoushan Archipelago and the adjacent Xiangshan Harbor are important commercial, tourism, fishing, and mariculture areas. Considering the concern on the effects of anthropogenic activities on the environment, the level and source apportionment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in surface sediments were investigated. The sum of 16 PAH (∑16 PAH) concentrations in the Zhoushan Archipelago ranged from 3.67 to 31.30 ng g(-1) d.w., with a mean of 15.01 ± 1.21 ng g(-1) d.w., and that in Xiangshan Harbor varied from 11.58 to 481.44 ng g(-1) d.w., with a mean of 62.52 ± 32.85 ng g(-1) d.w. Diagnostic ratios and factor analysis were performed to identify PAH sources. Results show that PAHs have mixed origins (i.e., traffic-related sources, coal combustion, petrogenic sources, and biomass burning), with pyrolytic-related pollution as the dominant source. This study provided a baseline to promote environmental protection and pollution episode monitoring in the East China Sea.