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Abstract Formononetin is one of the main active components of traditional Chinese medicine red clover (Trifolium pratense L). Prior studies have demonstrated that formononetin is a typical phytoestrogen and exhibits an estrogen-like effect that protects the cardiovascular system with minimal side effects. In this study, we further investigated the role of formononetin in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and its potential molecular mechanisms. We founded that formononetin promotes proliferation and migration of HUVECs as assessed by the MTT and wound healing assays. Meanwhile, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) protein levels were increased in a dose-dependent manner. Our findings illustrated that formononetin exhibits a protective effect on HUVECs, and the molecular mechanisms may correlate with IGF-1R and ICAM-1, as well as upregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Typhoon Hagupit was one of six tropical cyclones that affected Hong Kong in 2008. When the typhoon made landfall, the combined effect of the waves, storm surge and seasonal high tides resulted in a maximum sea level of 3.53 m at the nearest tide gauge to the study site, the highest since 1962. The event caused considerable damage to coastal infrastructure and large-scale erosion on many sandy beaches in Hong Kong. To study the degree of erosion and recovery of Hong Kong beaches, we surveyed two sandy beaches: Tai Long Wan (TLW), a relatively high-energy exposed beach system, and To Tei Wan (TTW), a relatively low-energy Sheltered beach system. We examined the two beaches for changes in their beach profiles and sediment properties. TLW recovered quickly, with significant post-storm accretion of fine- to medium-grained sand. Within four months after the typhoon, TLW regained >700 m3 sand, forming a new, ∼1.0 m high, berm, with the beach face prograding approximately 5.0 m seaward. In contrast, within the same four months after the typhoon, TTW showed little evidence of sand accretion or recovery, with only minor changes in the beach profile. In fact, instead of post-storm sand accretion, the landward migration of the high tide mark shown in the pre- and post-storm satellite images suggested that the post-storm beach elevation at TTW decreased. The results, which reflect the different background energy regimes of each beach, indicate that different coastal management strategies should be applied. In the case of relatively high-energy beaches of Hong Kong, we suggest not interfering with their natural state. In contrast, in the case of relatively low-energy beaches of Hong Kong, which appear unlikely to recover rapidly from erosion during storms, we suggest further investigation before applying any long- to medium-term management strategies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Suspended particulate organic carbon (POC) and sedimentary total organic carbon (TOC) in coastal areas play critical roles in the global carbon cycle, yet sources and dynamics of coastal POC and TOC have been affected by various anthropogenic activities such as aquaculture, sewage discharge, dam construction and land reclamation. To better understand the anthropogenic impacts on coastal organic carbon, this study was carried out in a representative semi-enclosed bay, Dongshan Bay, Southeast China. Through analyses of stable isotopic compositions of both POC (δ13C POC and δ15N PN) and TOC (δ13C TOC and δ15N TN), the ratio of total organic carbon vs. total nitrogen (C/N), grain size, Chl- a concentrations and hydrological parameters, our study led to the following main findings: 1) During flood season, the distribution of δ13C POC , δ13C TOC , δ15N PN and δ15N TN values within the bay did not follow the conventional land-sea transition pattern. This distribution pattern indicated more terrestrial organic matter input seaward, which contrasts with the conventional organic matter distribution along the estuarine gradient. 2) Using the organic δ13C, δ15N and C/N signatures of different endmembers, we found that the sources of organic matter deposited in the bay were strongly related to anthropogenic activities, including municipal wastewater discharge, aquaculture, land reclamation and sluice-dyke construction. Furthermore, 3) by applying the Grain Size Trend Analysis Model and the previously-estimated residual current directions, we suggested that human activities have not only altered the sources of organic matter to the semi-enclosed bays, but also significantly modified their transportation and deposition patterns, and might influence the ultimate fate of organic matter into and out of Dongshan Bay. The conclusions of this study should be applicable to similar coastal bays around the world. Unlabelled Image • A semi-closed bay was investigated for the organic carbon (OC) distribution. • The OC distribution didn't follow the conventional land-sea transition pattern. • Human impact on OC sources and transport was responsible for such pattern. • Aquaculture and sewage outputs take the main responsibility for OC source change. • Dams enhanced the pattern by changing hydrological and depositional processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• GDGTs could indicate organic-matter (OM) sources in a small river-estuary system. • The GDGT-0/cren and bGDGTs indicated anthropogenic-induced water eutrophication. • The BIT estimated well the soil vs marine OM inputs in the estuary. • Estuarine OM distribution was influenced by OM sources and preservation processes. Recently, glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraethers (GDGTs) have been successfully used to identify different sources for organic-matter in the offshore and open ocean areas, while their applicability in the coastal areas remains unclear. This study was carried out to investigate the behavior of GDGTs and their applicability as indicators for organic-matter sources in a small subtropical river-estuary system, the Jiulong River-Estuary system (JRES), southeastern China. In 2018, three groups of samples including riverbank soils, riverbed surface sediments, and estuarine surface sediments were collected and analyzed. The results supported three main findings: 1) The abundances of GDGTs and crenarchaeol, and the ratios of iGDGTs/bGDGTs, GDGT-0/crenarchaeol (GDGT-0/cren), crenarchaeol isomer / (crenarchaeol + crenarchaeol isomer) and the IIIa/IIa, were good indicators for organic-matter sources; 2) At the middle and lower reaches of West River, the abnormally high values of GDGT-0/cren ratio and bGDGT abundance might indicate anthropogenic-induced water eutrophication; and 3) The branched and isoprenoid tetraether index (BIT) was especially sensitive in indicating of the soil- vs marine-organic matter contribution to the total organic matter of estuarine sediments. The high BIT values at the estuary turbidity maximum zone (TMZ) and the mid estuary suggested that TMZ filtering effect, preservation conditions and extra sources of soils have impacted the organic-matter distribution. Understanding the behavior and application of GDGTs in such a system helps to improve research on organic carbon cycling in the coastal system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]