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Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are a class of highly conserved proteins that play an important role in biological responses to various environmental stresses. The mariculture of Thamnaconus septentrionalis, a burgeoning aquaculture species in China, frequently encounters stressors such as extreme temperatures, salinity variations, and elevated ammonia levels. However, systematic identification and analysis of the HSP70 and HSP90 gene families in T. septentrionalis remain unexplored. This study conducted the first genome-wide identification of 12 HSP70 and 4 HSP90 genes in T. septentrionalis, followed by a comprehensive analysis including phylogenetics, gene structure, conserved domains, chromosomal localization, and expression profiling. Expression analysis from RNA-seq data across various tissues and developmental stages revealed predominant expression in muscle, spleen, and liver, with the highest expression found during the tailbud stage, followed by the gastrula, neurula, and juvenile stages. Under abiotic stress, most HSP70 and HSP90 genes were upregulated in response to high temperature, high salinity, and low salinity, notably hspa5 during thermal stress, hspa14 in high salinity, and hsp90ab1 under low salinity conditions. Ammonia stress led to a predominance of downregulated HSP genes in the liver, particularly hspa2, while upregulation was observed in the gills, especially for hsp90b1. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis corroborated the expression levels under environmental stresses, validating their involvement in stress responses. This investigation provides insights into the molecular mechanisms of HSP70 and HSP90 in T. septentrionalis under stress, offering valuable information for future functional studies of HSPs in teleost evolution, optimizing aquaculture techniques, and developing stress-resistant strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa L. ssp. Pekinensis) in the genus Brassica of the family Brassicaceae (Cruciferae) originates from China and is one of the most consumed leafy vegetables in East Asian countries. The leaf color is tightly linked with its growth, development, and yield. By screening an EMS mutagenized population of Chinese cabbage inbred line A03, we identified a yellowgreen leaf mutant ygl. This mutant developed abnormal ultrastructure in chloroplasts. Transcriptome and Gene Ontology (GO) analyses unveiled that abiotic stress response and glucan metabolism pathways were enriched in ygl compared to A03. A Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis reveals that differentially expressed genes were mainly associated with plant hormone signal transduction, photosynthesis, and starch and sucrose metabolism. In ygl, the expression of some photosynthetic pathway genes was significantly up-regulated, while the transcription of key genes related to carbon fixation, starch syntheses, and sugar metabolism pathways, such as RBCS1A, APS1, APL3, and SUS1, was markedly down-regulated. We also found a similar reduction trend in mRNA levels of IAA19, IAA29, and ARR4 associated with auxin and cytokinin pathways. Taken together, we uncovered transcriptional profiles for some important genes that may be responsible for leaf color development, and such gene expression repertoire may be useful for further investigation into the phenotype-to-genotype link in the ygl mutant Chinese cabbage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Danhong huayu koufuye (DHK) has traditionally been used clinically for a long time in China. This study was to evaluate the effect of DHK in treating deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in rats and explore its possible mechanism. Methods Forty-eight Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into four groups, performed with incomplete inferior vena cava ligation to induce DVT, and orally administered with DHK (3.20 mg/kg/d), warfarin (2.00 mg/kg/d), or vehicle for 7 days. The involved inferior vena cava and thrombi were collected and measured in size. The tissue specimens were performed for routine histopathologic evaluation and immunohistochemical staining with tissue factor and matrix metalloproteinases-9. Blood samples were collected for detecting coagulation function, blood cell count, and the levels of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α. Results The treatment of DHK markedly reduced the size of thrombi by 49.26%, and the vein wall thickness by 47.86%. The recanalization rate was significant higher in the DHK-treated group than the vehicle-treated group (26.34 ± 6.53% versus 15.91 ± 3.93%, P < 0.01). Comparing to vehicle control, DHK significantly reduced neutrophils ( P < 0.05) and lymphocytes ( P < 0.05), serum tumor necrosis factor-α level (4.90 ± 1.14 pg/mL versus 6.60 ± 1.62 pg/mL, P < 0.01), and the expression of matrix metalloproteinases-9 and tissue factor ( P < 0.05) in thrombi. Conclusions DHK effectively prevented DVT through anti-inflammatory action in rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examine the association between board centrality and corporate environmental disclosure using hand-collected data from Chinese-listed firms in heavily polluting industries. We find that board centrality has a positive effect on corporate environmental disclosure. We also show that this positive effect emanates from the critical role of the board in monitoring and resource distribution, and its incentive to promote information transparency. Our results, which are robust to a set of robustness checks, have important implications for both regulators and investors. • We provide evidence that board centrality influences corporate environmental disclosure. • We find a positive association between board centrality and environmental disclosure using a sample of Chinese firms. • The effect is more pronounced for firms with CEO duality, and those with no directors' and officers' liability insurance. • Our results are robust to alternative estimation methods and proxies for board centrality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Shield tunnel lining damage induced by soil-water inrush is studied. • Numerical simulation matches with field results reasonably. • Strength reduction method have been applied for the consideration of soil loss. • Lessons learned from this incident have been presented. This paper reports a case study on shield tunnel lining damage induced by soil-water inrush occurred in Tianjin Metro Line 1, China through both field monitoring and numerical simulation. This incident was triggered by the non-watertight boring work of thru holes adjacent to the cross passage between the twin tunnels. Under high hydraulic gradient, the seepage-prone weak zone was formed and extended, then the outburst of soil-water slurry was occurred. Measures including plugging engineering cotton, injecting quick-setting cement and welding partition plate of steel segments, had been taken but in vain. The outburst of soil-water slurry induced soil movement around the cross passage, thus leading to the damage of tunnel lining and ground surface settlement. After sealing the water ingress holes, stabilization methods including surface grouting and inside tunnel back grouting were applied. The mechanisms of segment lining damage and the effectiveness of stabilization are investigated through both numerical simulation and field monitoring data analysis. Lessons learned from this incident have been discussed, thus providing reference for potential shield tunnelling under similar engineering conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Serum vitamin D is associated with hyperuricemia. However, previous studies have been controversial, with limited focus on children and adolescents., Objective: This study aimed to examine the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between serum vitamin D and serum uric acid (SUA) levels in children and adolescents., Methods: The cross-sectional survey comprised 4777 participants aged 6 to 18 years, while the longitudinal survey involved 1641 participants aged 6 to 12 years, all derived from an ongoing cohort study in Shenzhen, China. Restricted cubic splines were used to visualize the dose-response relationship between vitamin D and SUA and the risk of higher SUA status. Two-segment generalized linear models (GLM) and logistic models were used to assess the association between vitamin D and SUA and higher SUA status, respectively. The longitudinal analysis used GLM., Results: We observed an inverted U-shaped relationship between vitamin D and SUA ( p -overall < 0.0001, p -nonlinear = 0.0002), as well as the risk of higher SUA status ( p -overall = 0.0054, p -nonlinear = 0.0015), with the vitamin D inflection point at 24.31 and 21.29 ng/mL, respectively. A 10 ng/mL increment in 25(OH)D 3 levels, when below 20.92 ng/mL, was associated with a 68% rise in the risk of higher SUA status (OR: 1.68, 95%CI: 1.07-2.66). Conversely, when 25(OH)D 3 levels were above or equal to 20.92 ng/mL, a 10 ng/mL increment was associated with a 45% reduction risk of higher SUA status (OR: 0.55, 95%CI: 0.36-0.84). Longitudinal analysis indicated that the annual change of SUA was from -4.80 (β, 95%CI: -10.74, 1.13) to -9.00 (β, 95%CI: -15.03, -2.99) and then to -6.77 (β, 95%CI: -12.83, -0.71, p for trend = 0.0212) μmol/L when increasing the quartile of vitamin D 3 ., Conclusions: An inverse U-shaped relationship was observed between vitamin D and SUA as well as the risk of higher SUA status. Sufficient vitamin D levels appear to play a preventative role against the age-related increase in SUA. Ensuring adequate vitamin D levels may be beneficial in improving uric acid metabolism.

Short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) are novel toxicants in food and are reported to possess neurotoxicity. Here, we investigated the mechanism of SCCP-induced astrocyte activation and neuroinflammation. SCCP gavage induced astrocyte activation and neuronal cell death with the changes of gut microbiome and metabolites. Antibiotic cocktail administration to deplete the gut microbiome ameliorated the astrocyte activation and inflammation induced by SCCPs. In fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) assays, mice that received transplanted gut microbiome from SCCP-treated mice showed increased astrocyte activation and elevated inflammatory response. In addition, SCCP exposure promotes zonulin expression and tight junction injury, and antibiotic cocktail administration inhibited that in the intestinal tract. Increased zonulin and tight junction injury were also observed in SCCPs&#95;FMT mice. The zonulin inhibition protected the tight junction in the intestinal tract from SCCP exposure and suppressed astrocyte activation. In summary, this study proposes a novel possibility for SCCP-induced astrocyte activation and neurotoxicity by the gut microbiome-mediated zonulin expression and tight junction.

Six polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) including naphthalene (Nap), fluorene (Flu), phenanthrene (Phe), fluoranthene (Fla), pyrene (Pyr), and chrysene (Chr) were detected in runoff from five athletic fields during three rainfall events. The event mean concentration (EMC) of ∑ 6 PAHs ranged from 3.96 to 23.23 μg/L, which was much higher than the EMC in urban traffic area runoff. Except for Nap, the PAH concentrations followed in the order of artificial turf > badminton court > basketball court > plastic runway > optennis court. The surface characteristics of the athletic fields, such as the composition of materials and roughness, played an essential role in the release of PAHs. ∑ 6 PAHs concentration during the 2nd rainfall event (July 22nd) was the highest among the three rainfall events, indicating that high rainfall intensity facilitated the PAHs release. PAHs during three rainfall events showed little first flush effect except for the artificial turf during the 2nd (22nd July) and 3rd (29th July) rainfall events. The first flush effect could be affected by rainfall characters, PAH properties, and surface characteristics of athletic fields. Ecological risk assessment showed that PAHs in runoff corresponded to moderate-to-high risk, while health risk assessment showed that PAHs could pose a potential carcinogenic danger to human health via dermal contact.

Stormwater runoff samples were collected from five different land use sites (gas station, city road, campus, park, and residential) in a precipitation event on May 22nd, 2017, from a small suburban area (5 km × 2 km) of the city of Beijing, China. There were 72 types of semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) found in these runoff samples, including 33 types of monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (MAHs), 22 types of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), 6 types of phthalate esters (PAEs), 9 types of pesticides and 2 types of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Especially, 26 types of SVOCs (7 MAHs, 9 PAHs, 5 PAEs, and 5 pesticides) were detected in all water samples. SVOCs concentrations were higher in the samples from gas station and city road, and lower in runoff from campus, park and residential sites. The change in the ratio of anthracene to anthracene plus phenanthrene (ANT/(ANT + PHE)) in this study, reflected the importance of PAH source and land use. Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) and di-n-butyl phthalate, are two of the phthalate esters 100% detected in the runoff samples. The city road runoff DEHP concentrations recorded the highest values (> 6000 ng/L), however, were still less than those wastewater DEHP pollutants measured in developed countries (e.g. UK, Canada, Finland, etc.). One-way ANOVA analysis in this study, showed that land use could significantly influence 23 SVOCs in the runoff samples, whereas the runoff SVOCs in different precipitation period showed no statistical changes in the five sites, and presented a general temporal trends "high (beginning)-low (middle period)-little raising (ending)". The findings in this study could be used in municipal management of wastewater collection and treatment., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Two new species of the genus are described from Zhejiang, China in this paper. The new species Criotettix jinningensis sp. nov. is similar to Criotettix strivertexoides Zheng, Wei Li, 2009, but differs in width of vertex narrower than diameter of eye; pronotum shorter, not reaching the end of hind tibiae; width of fore wing 1.3 times width of mid leg femur and hind wing not reaching the end of pronotum. The new species Criotettix pananensis sp. nov. is similar to Criotettix transpi-noides Zheng, Bai Xu, 2012, it differs from latter by width of vertex narrower than diameter of eye; pronotum with parallel lateral keels and without a pair short longitudinal keels between shoulders; hind femur without projection in upper keel and hind wing extending over the end of pronotum. The type specimens are deposited in the College of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding, China.

The toxic potentially toxic metals elements (PTEs) discharged from industrial activities and agricultural practices persistently pose multiple hazards to environment and living organisms. Microbe-assisted phytoremediation provide an effective approach to remediate PTEs-contaminated soils. A phytoextraction process involved the application of Streptomyces pactum (Act12, 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 g kg -1 dry soil, respectively) alone/jointly with sulfur was executed. The main texture of the tested soil was sandy loam and with a pH 8.27. The obtained results showed that the leaf pigments and plant biomass were improved after the application of the Act12, while the shoot fresh weight, chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b decreased by 57.8, 38.2 and 40.7%, respectively, after treatment with sulfur. Similarly, sulfur application facilitated the malondialdehyde (MDA) production by 18.4-33.6% compared to the control (no amendments). Both peroxidase (POD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were boosted, while the catalase (CAT) activity was suppressed with Act12 alone/jointly with sulfur treatment. The sulfur combined with elevated Act12 levels notably increased the cadmium (Cd) and zinc (Zn) concentrations both in shoots and roots, while the elemental extraction amount showed the removal efficiency following the order: Act12 alone ＞ control ＞ Act12 jointly with sulfur. Taken together, the results suggested that Streptomyces pactum and sulfur assisted the phytoremediation process, while further studies should be conducted in the field to test practical application., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to define blood flow characteristics of multiple types of flaps and the theoretical basis of flap axis design. MATERIAL AND METHODS Sixty Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into 6 groups: a normal skin group, and 5 groups with different types of flap: abdominal flap group, dorsal flap group, single-perforator flap group, double-perforators flap group, and delayed cutaneous nerve flap group. The vascular distribution characteristics of normal skin and various flap types were observed by gross morphology of specimens and X-ray after perfusion. RESULTS There were distinct differences in vascular anastomosis and density in dorsal and ventral SD rats. The area of flap survival in the dorsal flap group was superior to that in the abdominal flap group, but the flap axis of the 2 groups passed straight through the middle of the pedicle. The flap surviving area in the double-perforators flap group was remarkably larger than in the single-perforator flap group, while the flap axis in the single-perforator flap group passed straight through the perforators, and in the double-perforators flap group there was a linking vessel between the 2 perforators. There were linking and reticulate vessels, in addition, linking vessels and cutaneous nerves were concomitant in the delayed cutaneous nerve flap group. The flap axis was the travel route of the cutaneous nerve. CONCLUSIONS Variations in flap blood supply patterns and axes with alterations based on flap types have implications for flap survival. Understanding blood flow characteristics within each flap type and accurately designing the flap axis is essential for flap survival.

Concentrations of eight trace metals (TMs) in road dust (RD) (particles < 25 μm) from urban areas of Xinxiang, China, were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The geometric mean concentrations of Zn, Mn, Pb, As, Cu, Cr, Ni and Cd were 489, 350, 114, 101, 60.0, 39.7, 31.6, and 5.1 mg kg -1 , respectively. When compared with TM levels in background soil, the samples generally display elevated TM concentrations, except for Cr and Mn, and for Cd the enrichment value was 69.6. Spatial variations indicated TMs in RD from park path would have similar sources with main roads, collector streets and bypasses. Average daily exposure doses of the studied TMs were about three orders of magnitude higher for hand-to-mouth ingestion than dermal contact, and the exposure doses for children were 9.33 times higher than that for adults. The decreasing trend of calculated hazard indexes (HI) for the eight elements was As > Pb > Cr > Mn > Cd > Zn > Ni > Cu for both children and adults.