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Alternaria is an important toxigenic fungal genus endangering the quality of cereal grains. No data are available in the literature regarding the composition of Alternaria species in wheat from the main wheat‐cultivating regions of China. In this study, a total of 282 strains were isolated from wheat kernels collected in various provinces. Phylogenetic characterization was performed using two informative loci, ASA10 and ASA19, demonstrating that all strains belonged to A. alternata. A low molecular diversity was observed, which did not appear to be influenced by geographic origin. The secondary metabolite profile of the strains was evaluated in rice culture. Altertoxin I was synthesized at a high concentration by the majority of the strains, while the accumulation of altenuene was lower in both frequency and level than that of alternariol and its derivative. A. alternata did not cause readily observable symptoms on wheat spikes after spraying of the conidia at anthesis, but a higher quantity of altertoxin I and Alternaria DNA were detected in inoculated grains. Artificial inoculations of apple fruit showed that all examined strains were capable of causing typical rot symptoms and producing all four toxins to a certain degree. The widespread occurrence of A. alternata on wheat grains and its ability to synthesize various toxic metabolites may pose a serious hazard for both growers and consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herbal medicines are widely used for clinical purposes worldwide. These herbs are susceptible to phytopathogenic fungal invasion during the culturing, harvesting, storage, and processing stages. The threat of fungal and mycotoxin contamination requires the evaluation of the health risks associated with these herbal medicines. In this study, we collected 138 samples of 23 commonly used herbs from 20 regions in China, from which we isolated a total of 200 phytopathogenic fungi. Through morphological observation and ITS sequencing, 173 fungal isolates were identified and classified into 24 genera, of which the predominant genera were Fusarium (27.74%) and Alternaria (20.81%), followed by Epicoccum (11.56%), Nigrospora (7.51%), and Trichocladium (6.84%). Quantitative analysis of the abundance of both Fusarium and Alternaria in herbal medicines via RT-qPCR revealed that the most abundant fungi were found on the herb Taraxacum mongolicum, reaching 300,000 copies/μL for Fusarium and 700 copies/μL for Alternaria. The in vitro mycotoxin productivities of the isolated Fusarium and Alternaria strains were evaluated by using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), and it was found that the Fusarium species mainly produced the acetyl forms of deoxynivalenol, while Alternaria species mainly produced altertoxins. These findings revealed widely distributed fungal contamination in herbal medicines and thus raise concerns for the sake of the quality and safety of herbal medicines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the meta‐gabbronorites in Liangcheng and used detailed petrography, geochemistry, zircon geochronological and in‐situ Hf isotopic studies to clarify their formation and metamorphic ages, petrogenesis, tectonic setting and provide constraints on the tectonic evolution of Khondalite Belt (KB). The zircon U‐Pb dating results show that the meta‐gabbronorites crystallized at ~1.94 Ga and were metamorphosed at ~1.91–1.89 Ga. They can be subdivided into the low‐Mg and high‐Mg groups. The low‐Mg meta‐gabbronorites contain relatively lower MgO and higher SiO2 contents than high‐Mg meta‐gabbronorites. They are enriched in light rare earth elements and large ion lithophile elements, depleted in high field strength elements, and exhibit positive (high‐Mg meta‐gabbronorites) and negative (low‐Mg meta‐gabbronorites) Sr and Eu anomalies. The zircon in‐situ εHf(t) of meta‐gabbronorites is 0.07–4.12, with Hf model ages (TDM) of 2169–2400 Ma. The meta‐gabbronorites in Liangcheng originated from the asthenospheric mantle and experienced fractional crystallization of olivine, orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene, and plagioclase. They were contaminated by the crustal rocks (mainly khondalite series) during ascent, especially for low‐Mg gabbronorites. The ridge subduction is the most plausible tectonic setting for meta‐gabbronorites, indicating the eastern segment of KB was in a ridge subduction setting at ~1.94 Ga following an orogenic thickening event during a prolonged orogenic process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Our aim was to investigate the association between gene polymorphisms in catalase (CAT), a well-known oxidative stress regulator, and susceptibility to idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) or responses to steroid therapy in a Chinese pediatric population. Methods We analyzed 3 CAT single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNVs; rs7943316, rs769217, and rs12270780) using multi-polymerase chain reaction combined with next-generation sequencing in 183 INS patients and 100 healthy controls. Results For the allele and genotype frequencies of the CAT SNVs, no significant differences were observed between INS patients and controls. Patients with C allele of CAT rs769217 had a higher risk of developing steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome than the steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome patients (P = 0.018; odds ratio = 1.76). Conclusion Our data suggests that genetic variations in CAT were unlikely to confer susceptibility to INS in Chinese children, whereas the C allele of the CAT rs769217 polymorphism showed a strong association with steroid-dependent responses in Chinese INS children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The traditional Chinese medicine formula ErLong ZuoCi (ELZC) has been extensively used to treat age-related hearing loss (ARHL) in clinical practice in China for centuries. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are still poorly understood. Objective: Combine network pharmacology with experimental validation to explore the potential molecular mechanisms underlying ELZC with a systematic viewpoint. Methods: The chemical components of ELZC were collected from the Traditional Chinese Medicine System Pharmacology database, and their possible target proteins were predicted using the SwissTargetPrediction database. The putative ARHL-related target proteins were identified from the database: GeneCards and OMIM. We constructed the drug-target network as well as drug-disease specific protein-protein interaction networks and performed clustering and topological property analyses. Functional annotation and signaling pathways were performed by gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis. Finally, in vitro experiments were also performed to validate ELZC's key target proteins and treatment effects on ARHL. Results: In total, 63 chemical compounds from ELZC and 365 putative ARHL-related targets were identified, and 1860 ARHL-related targets were collected from the OMIM and GeneCards. A total of 145 shared targets of ELZC and ARHL were acquired by Venn diagram analysis. Functional enrichment analysis suggested that ELZC might exert its pharmacological effects in multiple biological processes, such as cell proliferation, apoptosis, inflammatory response, and synaptic connections, and the potential targets might be associated with AKT, ERK, and STAT3, as well as other proteins. In vitro experiments revealed that ELZC pretreatment could decrease senescence-associated β -galactosidase activity in hydrogen peroxide-induced auditory hair cells, eliminate DNA damage, and reduce cellular senescence protein p21 and p53. Finally, Western blot analysis confirmed that ELZC could upregulate the predicted target ERK phosphorylation. Conclusion: We provide an integrative network pharmacology approach, in combination with in vitro experiments to explore the underlying molecular mechanisms governing ELZC treatment of ARHL. The protective effects of ELZC against ARHL were predicted to be associated with cellular senescence, inflammatory response, and synaptic connections which might be linked to various pathways such as JNK/STAT3 and ERK cascade signaling pathways. As a prosperous possibility, our experimental data suggest phosphorylation ERK is essential for ELZC to prevent degeneration of cochlear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Although gonadotropin-releasing hormone stimulation test (GnRHST) is the gold standard in diagnosing central precocious puberty (CPP), it is invasive, expensive, and time-consuming, requiring multiple blood samples to measure gonadotropin levels.Objective: We evaluated whether urinary hormones could be potential biomarkers for prepuberty or postpuberty, aiming to simplify the current diagnosis and prognosis procedure.Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study of a total of 355 girls with CPP in National Clinical Research Center for Child Health in China, including 258 girls with positive and 97 girls with negative results from GnRHST. Twenty patients received GnRH analogue (GnRHa) treatment and completed a 6-month follow up. We measured luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol, prolactin, progesterone, testosterone, and human chorionic gonadotropin in the first morning voided urine samples.Results: Their urinary LH levels and the ratios of LH to FSH increased significantly with the advancement in Tanner stages. uLH levels were positively associated with basal and peak LH levels in the serum after GnRH stimulation. A cutoff value of 1.74 IU/L for uLH reached a sensitivity of 69.4% and a specificity of 75.3% in predicting a positive GnRHST result. For the combined threshold (uLH ≥ 1.74 + uLH-to-uFSH ratio > 0.4), the specificity reached 86.6%. After 3 months of GnRHa therapy, the uLH and uFSH levels decreased accordingly.Conclusion: uLH could be a reliable biomarker for initial CPP diagnosis and screening; uLH could also be an effective marker for evaluating the efficacy of clinical treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the discovery of a new transition type Wolf–Rayet (W-R) WN/C star in the Galaxy. According to its coordinates (R.A., decl.)J2000 = , −05°34′51.″1, and the distance (7.11 kpc away from Earth) inferred from the second Gaia data release, it is found that W-R 121-16 is located in the Far 3 kpc Arm, and it is 3.75 kpc away from the Galactic Center. The optical spectra obtained by the Large Sky Area Multi-Object Fiber Spectroscopic Telescope and the 2.16 m telescope, both located at the Xinglong Observatory in China, indicate that this is a W-R star of the transitional WN7o/WC subtype. A current stellar mass of about M☉, a mass-loss rate of , a bolometric luminosity of log L/L☉ = , and a stellar temperature of kK are derived by fitting the observed spectrum with a specific Potsdam W-R model. The magnitude in V-band varies between 13.95 and 14.14 mag, while no period is found. Based on the optical spectra, the time domain data, and the indices of the astrometric solution of the Gaia data, W-R 121-16 is likely a transitional WN/C single star rather than a WN+WC binary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential role of gramineous weeds present near paddy fields as alternative hosts for the Fusarium graminearum species complex (FGSC) that causes fusarium head blight (FHB) in rice. A total of 142 weed samples were collected from 10 gramineous weed species near paddy fields from August to October 2018 in Jiangsu Province, China. Of the 145 isolates of seven Fusarium species isolated from the weed samples, F. asiaticum was the most abundant (86.9%), followed by F. fujikuroi (5.5%), F. proliferatum (2.8%), F. graminearum (2.1%), F. tricinctum (1.4%), F. acuminatum (0.7%), and F. sporotrichioides (0.7%). Genotype and mycotoxin analyses confirmed that 72.2% of F. asiaticum isolates were producers of deoxynivalenol (DON) with 3‐acetyl deoxynivalenol (3ADON), and the remainder were nivalenol (NIV) producers. Pathogenicity assays showed that both 3ADON and NIV chemotypes of F. asiaticum could cause FHB in rice, but NIV chemotypes were significantly (p <.05) more aggressive than 3ADON chemotypes. Three Fusarium mycotoxins, DON, NIV, and zearalenone, occurred naturally at low concentrations in the weed samples. Taken together, this study provides insight into the mycotoxin production and aggressiveness of F. asiaticum isolates from gramineous weeds in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fusarium ear rot (FER) is a serious fungal disease occurring the late growth stage of maize. FER not only reduces the yield of maize but also causes mycotoxin contamination, which affects the quality of maize and threatens human and animal health. Fusarium verticillioides is the predominant causative pathogen of FER worldwide. At present, there is no registered fungicide for use against maize FER in China. The novel isopropyl alcohol-triazole fungicide mefentrifluconazole (MFZ) has been shown to be effective against several Fusarium spp., but little is known about its specific activity against F. verticillioides. MFZ exhibited strong antifungal activities against 50 strains of F. verticillioides collected from the major maize-growing areas in China. MFZ inhibited mycelial growth, conidium production, germination and germ tube elongation of F. verticillioides. MFZ treatment significantly reduced fumonisin production and the expression levels of fumonisin biosynthetic genes. Genome-wide transcriptional profiling of F. verticillioides in response to MFZ indicated that the expression of genes involved in ergosterol biosynthesis, including fungicide target genes (cyp51 genes), was significantly downregulated by MFZ. MFZ treatment resulted in reduced ergosterol production and increased glycerol and malonaldehyde production as well as relative conductivity in F. verticillioides. A 2-year field experiment showed a significant reduction in FER severity in maize after spraying with MFZ at the tasseling stage. This study evaluated the potential of MFZ to control FER in maize and provides insights into its antifungal activities and mechanism of action against F. verticillioides. [Display omitted] • F. verticillioides is the predominant causative pathogen of FER, resulting in yield loss and food safety problem. • Mefentrifluconazole inhibited fungal growth and toxin production of F. verticillioides strains. • Mode action of mefentrifluconazole aganist F. verticillioides was investigated. • Mefentrifluconazole treatment resulted in a significant reduction in FER. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conclusions: Genes involved in immunity and apoptosis were associated with human presbycusis. CCR3 and GILZ played an important role in the pathogenesis of presbycusis, probably through regulating chemokine receptor, T-cell apoptosis, or T-cell activation pathways. Objectives: To identify genes associated with human presbycusis and explore the molecular mechanism of presbycusis. Methods: Hearing function was tested by pure-tone audiometry. Microarray analysis was performed to identify presbycusis-correlated genes by Illumina Human-6 BeadChip using the peripheral blood samples of subjects. To identify biological process categories and pathways associated with presbycusis-correlated genes, bioinformatics analysis was carried out by Gene Ontology Tree Machine (GOTM) and database for annotation, visualization, and integrated discovery (DAVID). Quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to validate the microarray data. Results: Microarray analysis identified 469 up-regulated genes and 323 down-regulated genes. Both the dominant biological processes by Gene Ontology (GO) analysis and the enriched pathways by Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) and BIOCARTA showed that genes involved in immunity and apoptosis were associated with presbycusis. In addition, CCR3, GILZ, CXCL10, and CX3CR1 genes showed consistent difference between groups for both the gene chip and qRT-PCR data. The differences of CCR3 and GILZ between presbycusis patients and controls were statistically significant ( p < 0.05). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Powdery mildew is one of the most important wheat diseases in temperate regions of the world. Resistance breeding is considered to be an economical and environmentally benign way to control this disease. The German spring wheat cv. 'Naxos' exhibits high levels of partial and race non-specific resistance to powdery mildew in the field and is a valuable source in resistance breeding. The main objective of the present study was to map the genetic factors behind the resistance in Naxos, based on a population of recombinant inbred lines (RIL) from a cross with the susceptible CIMMYT breeding line SHA3/CBRD. Powdery mildew severity was evaluated in six field trials in Norway and four field trials in China. The major quantitative trait locus (QTL) with resistance from Naxos was detected close to the Pm3 locus on 1AS in all environments, and explained up to 35% of the phenotypic variation. Naxos was shown to carry another major QTL on 2DL and minor ones on 2BL and 7DS. QTL with resistance from SHA3/CBRD were detected on 1RS, 2DLc, 6BL and 7AL. The QTL on the 1B/1R translocation showed highly variable effects across environments corresponding to known virulence differences against Pm8. SHA3/CBRD was shown to possess the Pm3 haplotype on 1AS, but none of the known Pm3a- g alleles. The RIL population did not provide any evidence to suggest that the Pm3 allele of SHA3/CBRD acted as a suppressor of Pm8. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The lower Langshan Group belongs to the Changcheng system. • Part of the Alxa "Group" belongs the Jixian system. • The Alxa block is part of the NCC in the late Paleoproterozoic to the early Neoproterozoic time. The Langshan area is located in the northeastern margin of the Alxa block, which is the westernmost part of the North China Craton (NCC). The Langshan Group has been divided into four formations, of which the 1st formation deposited in the period of 1.83–1.66 Ga, the 2nd and 3rd formations formed between 1.16 Ga and 0.80 Ga and the 4th formation deposited after 1.17 Ga, whereas part of the previously believed Neoarchean Alxa "Group" deposited in the period of 1.65 Ga and 1.37 Ga. U-Pb ages of detrital zircons from the Langshan Group and the early Mesoproterozoic Alxa "Group" yielded age peaks of 2.51–2.48 Ga, 2.38–2.33 Ga, 1.89–1.81 Ga, 1.79–1.62 Ga, 1.58–1.56, 1.36–1.31 and 1.18–1.17 Ga. The late Neoarchean to middle Paleoproterozoic detrital zircons are mainly documented in the 1st formation and are derived from the ca. 2.5 Ga Guyang, Xi Ulanbulang and Beidashan granitoids, ca.1.9 Ga Xuwujia, Halaqin igneous rocks and the S-type granites, and the ca. 2.32 Ga Bayanwulashan orthogneisses. The late Paleoproterozoic (1.79–1.62 Ga) detrital zircons with negative ε Hf (t) values in the Alxa "Group" are interpreted to be sourced from the coeval rift-related granitic plutons and volcanic rocks in the northern NCC. On the other way, the late Paleoproterozoic to Mesoproterozoic detrital zircons with positive ε Hf (t) values from the upper Langshan Group probably sourced from the Fennoscandian shield of the Baltica craton. Based on the similarities in the stratigraphic sequence and detrital zircon age patterns of the Changcheng, Jixian and Qingbaikou systems, we infer that the Alxa Block was still an integrated part of the NCC in the early Neoproterozoic time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diversity and petrogenesis of Archean granitoid rocks, including tonalite-trondhjemite-granodiorite suites (TTGs), sanukitoids, and K-rich granites, is essential to understanding the geodynamic process of crust-mantle interaction and the origin and evolution of the continental crust. In this study, we investigate the petrogenesis, geochronology, and Sr-Nd-Hf isotopes of Neoarchean granitoids from the Huai'an Complex in the North China Craton (NCC) to gain insight into the crustal evolution during the Late Neoarchean–Early Paleoproterozoic. Five groups of plutonic gneisses of dioritic-tonalitic-trondhjemitic (DTT) and granitic gneisses in the Huai'an Complex are distinguished by their compositions. LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb dating constrains their emplacement ages from ca. 2.53 to 2.47 Ga and metamorphic ages at ca. 2.46 Ga and 1.86–1.82 Ga. The ca. 2.5 Ga DTT gneisses have consistent Sr-Nd-Hf isotopic compositions with positive whole-rock ɛ Nd (t) (+1.0 to +5.1), zircon ε Hf (t) (0.0 to +6.2) values, and older two-stage Hf model ages of 2.7–3.0 Ga, indicating they are cogenetic and derived from the partial melting of preexisting mafic crust. The dioritic gneisses with elevated MgO (3.09–4.94 wt%) and compatible element compositions (e.g., Cr and Ni) originated from a mafic crustal source modified by mantle-derived melts. The high Sr/Y values (104–661) and positive Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu⁎ = 1.05–2.76) of trondjemitic gneisses are controlled by plagioclase accumulation. The granitic gneisses are slightly peraluminous with high K 2 O (5.00–6.29 wt%) and low FeOT and MgO contents, indicating they were formed from the remelting of preexisting tonalitic crusts. The DTT and granitic plutonic gneisses in the Huai'an Complex were likely derived from crust-mantle interaction and crustal reworking in a subduction-related arc setting. The diverse geochemistry of these ca. 2.5 Ga granitoids is significantly controlled by source compositions, magmatic mixture, and accumulation. The prominent ca. 2.5 Ga TTG and granitic magmatism in the NCC likely represent a dominated internal reworking of the continental arc crust with subordinate crustal growth involving a subduction environment. • ∼2.5 Ga granitoids originated from crustal reworking in a subduction arc setting. • High-Mg diorites originated from a mixture of mantle-derived magma and mafic crust. • The high-pressure signatures of trondhjemite result from plagioclase accumulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fusarium crown rot of wheat is a serious fungal disease that occurs worldwide. The disease has been emerging in the major wheat-growing areas in China since 2010. Fusarium pseudogramineaum is the predominant causative pathogen of crown rot of wheat in China. The 14α-demethylation inhibitor (DMI) fungicide metconazole has been shown to be effective against Fusarium spp., but little is known about its specific activity against F. pseudogramineaum. Metconazole exhibited strong antifungal activities against all thirty-nine F. pseudogramineaum strains collected from the major wheat-growing areas in China. Metconazole inhibited mycelial growth and conidial germ tube elongation of F. pseudograminearum. Metconazole treatment significantly reduced the production of major toxins and the expression levels of toxin biosynthesis genes. Genome-wide transcriptional profiling of F. pseudograminearum in response to metconazole indicated that the expression of genes involved in ergosterol biosynthesis, including fungicide target genes (cyp51 genes), was significantly induced by metconazole. Nine ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter-encoding genes were significantly expressed in response to metconazole treatment. Reduced ergosterol production and antioxidant enzyme activities were observed after metconazole treatment. Greenhouse experiments indicated a significant reduction in crown rot occurrence in wheat after seed treatment with metconazole. This study evaluated the potential of metconazole to manage wheat crown rot and provides information to understand its antifungal activities and mechanism of action against F. pseudograminearum. [Display omitted] • F. pseudogramineaum is an emerging wheat pathogen, resulting in yield loss and food safety problem. • Metconazole inhibited fungal growth and toxin production of F. pseudograminearum strains. • RNA-Seq identified DEGs (ERG and ABC transporter genes) response to metconazole. • Metconazole seed treatment resulted in a significant reduction in crown rot occurrence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The precise constraints on the timing of metamorphism of the Changhai metamorphic complex is of great importance considering the prolonged controversial issue of the north margin and the extension of the Sulu–Dabie HP–UHP Belt. While the monazite U–Th–Pb and muscovite 40 Ar/ 39 Ar techniques are widely accepted as two of the most powerful dating tools for revealing the thermal histories of medium–low grade metamorphic rocks and precisely constraining the timing of metamorphism. The Changhai metamorphic complex at the SE Jiao–Liao–Ji Belt, North China Craton consists of a variety of pelitic schist and Grt–Ky-bearing paragneiss, and minor quartzite and marble. Analyses of mineral inclusions and back-scattered electric (BSE) images of monazites, combined with LA–ICP–MS U–Th–Pb ages for monazites and 40 Ar/ 39 Ar ages for muscovites, provide evidence of the origin and metamorphic age of the Changhai metamorphic complex. Monazites separates from various Grt–Mus schists and Grt–Ky–St–Mus paragneisses exhibit homogeneous BSE images from cores to rims, and contain inclusion assemblages of Grt + Mus + Qtz ± Ctd ± Ky in schist, and Grt + Ky + St + Mus + Pl + Kfs + Qtz inclusions in paragneiss. These inclusion assemblages are very similar to matrix minerals of host rocks, indicating they are metamorphic rather than inherited or detrital in origin. LA–ICP–MS U–Th–Pb dating reveals that monazites of schist and paragneiss have consistent 206 Pb/ 238 U ages ranging from 228.1 ± 3.8 to 218.2 ± 3.7 Ma. In contrast, muscovites from various schists show slightly older 40 Ar/ 39 Ar plateau ages of 236.1 ± 1.5 to 230.2 ± 1.2 Ma. These geochronological and petrological data conclude that the pelitic sediments have experienced a metamorphic event at the Mid–Late Triassic (236.1–218.2 Ma) rather than the Paleoproterozoic (1950–1850 Ma), commonly regarded as the Precambrian basement for the Jiao–Liao–Ji Belt. Hence, the Changhai metamorphic complex should be considered as a discrete lithotectonic group. This newly recognized Mid–Late Triassic metamorphic event (236.1–218.2 Ma) for the Changhai metamorphic complex is coeval with the HP–UHP metamorphic event (235–220 Ma) for Sulu–Dabie rocks. This leads us to speculate that the metamorphism of the Changhai complex belt along the SE margin of the North China Craton was genetically related to the Mid–Late Triassic collision of the North China and South China cratons. By the same token, the Sulu–Dabie HP–UHP Belt may have extended through Yantai, and the southern Yellow Sea, and to the southern side of the Changhai metamorphic complex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Lüliang Complex is located at the western margin of the middle segment of the Trans-North China Orogen, along which the Western and Eastern Blocks amalgamated to form the basement of the North China Craton. The complex consists of the Paleoproterozoic granitic plutons and meta-supracrustal rocks, of which the latter are subdivided into the Jiehekou, Lüliang, Yejishan, and Heichashan/Lanhe Groups. A meta-volcanic rock from the Yejishan Group gives a magmatic zircon U–Pb age of 2188 ± 48 Ma and ε Hf (t) values of + 0.06 to + 5.42. Based on the geochemical characteristics, four different ~ 2.2 Ga igneous rock suits have been identified in the Lüliang Complex. The calc-alkaline basalts and andesites show the geochemical features of typical ‘normal’ arc volcanics with pronounced LREE enrichments relative to HREE, negative Nb, Ta, P and Ti anomalies and ε Nd (t) values of − 2.69 to + 2.14. The adakitic rocks are characterized by high Na 2 O/K 2 O ratios, weak to positive Eu anomalies, positive Sr and Ba but negative Nb and Ti anomalies, and relatively clustered and near to zero ε Nd (t) values. The Nb-enriched basalts and andesites have higher Nb, Zr and TiO 2 contents, higher Nb/Ta (14.4–19.3) and Nb/U (20.6–23.2) ratios than the majority of arc basalts and andesites and relatively variable ε Nd (t) values (− 1.54 to + 3.02). The magnesian andesites are characterized by anomalously high MgO, Cr and Ni contents and have ε Nd (t) values of − 3.90 to + 1.17. The occurrence of adakitic rocks, Nb-enriched basalts and andesites and magnesian andesites has been described from many modern arcs featuring subduction of oceanic slab. Therefore, we suggest that similar mechanism may have played an important role in the production of the ~ 2.2 Ga igneous rocks in the Lüliang Complex and thus the final collision between the Eastern and Western Blocks along the TNCO must have happened at some time after ~ 2.2 Ga. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Zircons from the Daqingshan–Wulashan mafic rocks record four mafic magmatic events and two high-grade metamorphic events. [•] Middle- and low-pressure granulite facies mineral inclusions have been identified in ca. 2.45Ga and ca. 1.9Ga metamorphic zircons. [•] The Daqingshan–Wulashan meta-mafic rocks were most likely generated by an orogenic process in an active continental margin arc. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highlights: [•] Four metamorphic stages have been identified within the Daqingshan pelitic granulites. [•] Phase equilibria modeling has constrained a clockwise P–T path. [•] The Daqingshan Complex was involved in collisional orogen between the Yinshan and the Ordos Blocks. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highlights: [•] The inherited metamorphic cores and retrogressive rims can be identified in single zircon grains. [•] Retrogressive metamorphic mineral inclusions have been identified in zircon grains. [•] A near-isothermal decompressional clockwise P–T–t path for the Jiaobei HP mafic granulites is defined. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Rice plays an important role in the daily diet in China and therefore its quality and safety have been of great concern. However, few systematic studies have investigated Fusarium community and toxins in rice grains. Here, we collected 1381 rice samples from Jiangsu Province in eastern China and found a higher frequency of zearalenone (ZEN), deoxynivalenol (DON), fumonisins (FBs), and beauvericin (BEA). The positive samples were individually contaminated with a minimum of one and a maximum of ten toxins. Fusarium was isolated and identified as the major fungus, which exhibited temporal and geographical distribution. The most prevalent species complexes within this genus were Fusarium incarnatum-equiseti species complex (FIESC), Fusarium fujikuroi species complex (FFSC), and Fusarium sambucinum species complex (FSAMSC). Nevertheless, the amplicon sequence analysis revealed a low relative abundance of Fusarium in the rice panicles, and the fungal community exhibited an irregular change along with the symptom's emergence. In vitro toxigenic profiles of Fusarium strains showed significant complexity and specificity depending on the type and content. FIESC strains were non-pathogenic to wheat heads and weakly pathogenic to maize ears, respectively, accumulating lower amounts of toxins than F. asiaticum and F. fujikuroi. There was no significant variation in the ability to cause panicle blight in rice among the various species tested. Our study provides detailed information about the contamination of Fusarium toxins and community in rice after harvest. This information is valuable for understanding the relationship between Fusarium and rice and for developing effective control strategies., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Jianhong Xu reports financial support was provided by Jiangsu Agriculture Science and Technology. If there are other authors, they declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is considered to be involved in the pathogenesis and progression of atopic dermatitis (AD). In the present study, we evaluated the relationship between TLR4 gene polymorphisms and the susceptibility or severity of AD among Chinese Han children., Methods: A total of 132 AD patients and 100 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. Four single-nucleotide polymorphisms (rs19277914, rs11536891, rs7869402, and rs11536889) of the TLR4 gene were genotyped by multiplex PCR combined with next-generation sequencing., Results: Our results showed that a significantly reduced risk for AD was associated with C allele [p = 0.008; odds ratio (OR) = 0.41, C vs. T], TC genotype (p = 0.022; OR = 0.41, TC vs. TT), and TC + CC genotype (p = 0.010; OR = 0.39, TC + CC vs. TT) of TLR4 rs11536891. The frequency of the haplotype GCCG (rs1927914-rs11536891-rs7869402-rs11536889) in AD patients was lower than that in the controls (p = 0.010; OR = 0.38). Moreover, the results indicated that a higher risk of severe AD was related to the T allele (p = 0.019; OR = 2.97, T vs. C) and the TC genotype (p = 0.021; OR = 3.34, TC vs. CC) of TLR4 rs7869402. A risk haplotype of TLR4 (GTTG) was found in severe AD patients (p = 0.010; OR = 5.26)., Conclusions: Our data suggested that TLR4 rs11536891 polymorphism was associated with the susceptibility to AD in Chinese Han children. And TLR4 rs7869402 might confer the severity of pediatric AD patients., (© 2022 The Authors. Journal of Clinical Laboratory Analysis published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Context: Although gonadotropin-releasing hormone stimulation test (GnRHST) is the gold standard in diagnosing central precocious puberty (CPP), it is invasive, expensive, and time-consuming, requiring multiple blood samples to measure gonadotropin levels., Objective: We evaluated whether urinary hormones could be potential biomarkers for prepuberty or postpuberty, aiming to simplify the current diagnosis and prognosis procedure., Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study of a total of 355 girls with CPP in National Clinical Research Center for Child Health in China, including 258 girls with positive and 97 girls with negative results from GnRHST. Twenty patients received GnRH analogue (GnRHa) treatment and completed a 6-month follow up. We measured luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol, prolactin, progesterone, testosterone, and human chorionic gonadotropin in the first morning voided urine samples., Results: Their urinary LH levels and the ratios of LH to FSH increased significantly with the advancement in Tanner stages. uLH levels were positively associated with basal and peak LH levels in the serum after GnRH stimulation. A cutoff value of 1.74 IU/L for uLH reached a sensitivity of 69.4% and a specificity of 75.3% in predicting a positive GnRHST result. For the combined threshold (uLH ≥ 1.74 + uLH-to-uFSH ratio > 0.4), the specificity reached 86.6%. After 3 months of GnRHa therapy, the uLH and uFSH levels decreased accordingly., Conclusion: uLH could be a reliable biomarker for initial CPP diagnosis and screening; uLH could also be an effective marker for evaluating the efficacy of clinical treatment., (© The Author(s) 2021. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Endocrine Society.)

Objective: This study aimed to examine the relationship between physical performance and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in Chinese older adults., Methods: The sample comprised 956 relatively healthy and aged ≥65 years old Chinese community-dwelling participants (mean age, 72.56 ± 5.43 years; 56.8% female), which did not include those with dementia, severe cognitive impairment, mental illness etc. The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) scale were used for the initial classification of patients with MCI. Physical performance was measured via hand grip, Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT), and 4-m walking speed., Results: The physical performance (grip strength, TUGT, and 4-m walking speed) correlated with MCI. The grip strength [odds ratio (OR) = 0.96, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.93-0.99] and 4-m walking speed (OR = 0.25, 95% CI = 0.10-0.64) correlated negatively with MCI, while TUGT (OR = 1.08, 95% CI = 1.03-1.13) and MCI correlated positively., Conclusion: The physical performance (grip strength, TUGT, and 4-m walking speed) correlated with MCI. Further analysis showed that the grip strength was associated with overall cognition, time orientation, recall, and language, while TUGT and 4-m walking speed were associated with overall cognition and various cognitive domains, except recall., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest for this work., (© 2021 Liu et al.)

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is the causative agent of multiple diseases. EBV DNA in blood is a useful diagnostic marker of primary EBV infection and reactivation. This study aimed to provide epidemiological information on children with EBV-associated diseases identified by positive EBV DNA in Hangzhou, a city in East China. All children admitted to the Children's Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine from 2010 to 2015 with suspected EBV-related diseases and serum EBV DNA tested by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction were included. Of the 10 470 children, 1205 were determined to have positive EBV DNA, and the positive rate was 11.5%. 15.8% (973 of 6162) of the illnesses of patients aged 1 to 7 years were caused by EBV as compared to that of 6.6% (179 of 2708) of children older than 7 years (P < .01) and 3.3% (53 of 1600) of of that of infants <1 year of age (P < .01). Among positive EBV DNA patients, 80.7% of EBV infections occurred in children at the age stage of 1 to 7 years. IM was the most common EBV-related disease, accounting for 75.7% of 581 hospitalized patients. Children aged 1 to 3 years were the age group most commonly hospitalized with EBV-IM (32.7% of the cohort) and EBV-hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) (52.6%), while EBV-lymphoma was more common in children over 9-year old (58.3% of the cohort). The serum EBV-DNA load was much higher in patients with EBV-HLH than in patients with IM (P < .05). This is a large sample study, which revealed the epidemiological characteristics of children with EBV-associated diseases, including age, monthly and disease distribution., (© 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Species belonging to the Fusarium fujikuroi species complex (FFSC) are of vital importance and are a major concern for food quantity and quality worldwide, as they not only cause serious diseases in crops but also produce various mycotoxins. To characterize the population structure and evaluate the risk of poisonous secondary metabolites, a total of 237 candidate strains were isolated from rice, maize, and soybean samples in Jiangsu Province, China. Species identification of the individual strain was accomplished by sequencing the translation elongation factor 1α gene ( TEF-1α ) and the fumonisin (FB) synthetic gene ( FUM1 ). The distribution of Fusarium species among the different crops was observed. The maize seeds were dominated by F. proliferatum (teleomorph, Gibberella intermedia ) and F. verticillioides (teleomorph, G. moniliformis ), whereas F. fujikuroi (teleomorph, G. fujikuroi ) was the most frequently isolated species from rice and soybean samples. In addition, phylogenetic analyses of these strains were performed, and the results suggested clear groups showing no obvious relationship with the origin source. FFSC species pathogenicity and toxigenicity were studied. All of the species reduced the rice seed germination rate, with no significant differences. F. fujikuroi showed two distinct patterns of influencing the length of rice seedlings, which were correlated with FBs and gibberellic acid synthesis. FBs were mainly produced by F. verticillioides and F. proliferatum. F. proliferatum and F. fujikuroi also produced moniliformin and beauvericin. The toxigenicity of F. andiyazi (teleomorph, G. andiyazi ) was extremely low. Further analysis indicated that the sequence variations in TEF-1α and the differences in the expression levels of the toxin synthesis genes were associated with the diversity of secondary metabolites in F. fujikuroi strains. These findings provide insight into the population-level characterization of the FFSC and might be helpful in the development of strategies for the management of diseases and mycotoxins.

Members of the Fusarium graminearum species complex (FGSC) are important pathogens on wheat, maize, barley, and rice in China. Harvested grains are often contaminated by mycotoxins, such as the trichothecene nivalenol (NIV) and deoxynivalenol (DON) and the estrogenic mycotoxin zearalenone (ZEN), which is a big threat to humans and animals. In this study, 97 isolates were collected from maize, wheat, and rice in Jiangsu and Anhui provinces in 2013 and characterized by species- and chemotype-specific PCR. F. graminearum sensu stricto (s. str.) was predominant on maize, while most of the isolates collected from rice and wheat were identified as F. asiaticum. Fusarium isolates from three hosts varied in trichothecene chemotypes. The 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol (3ADON) chemotype predominated on wheat and rice population, while 15ADON was prevailing in the remaining isolates. Sequence analysis of the translation elongation factor 1α and trichodiene synthase indicated the accuracy of the above conclusion. Additionally, phylogenetic analysis suggested four groups with strong correlation with species, chemotype, and host. These isolates were also evaluated for their sensitivity to carbendazim and mycotoxins production. The maize population was less sensitive than the other two. The DON levels were similar in three populations, while those isolates on maize produced more ZEN. More DON was produced in carbendazim resistant strains than sensitive ones, but it seemed that carbendazim resistance had no effect on ZEN production in wheat culture.

Powdery mildew is one of the most important wheat diseases in temperate regions of the world. Resistance breeding is considered to be an economical and environmentally benign way to control this disease. The German spring wheat cv. 'Naxos' exhibits high levels of partial and race non-specific resistance to powdery mildew in the field and is a valuable source in resistance breeding. The main objective of the present study was to map the genetic factors behind the resistance in Naxos, based on a population of recombinant inbred lines (RIL) from a cross with the susceptible CIMMYT breeding line SHA3/CBRD. Powdery mildew severity was evaluated in six field trials in Norway and four field trials in China. The major quantitative trait locus (QTL) with resistance from Naxos was detected close to the Pm3 locus on 1AS in all environments, and explained up to 35% of the phenotypic variation. Naxos was shown to carry another major QTL on 2DL and minor ones on 2BL and 7DS. QTL with resistance from SHA3/CBRD were detected on 1RS, 2DLc, 6BL and 7AL. The QTL on the 1B/1R translocation showed highly variable effects across environments corresponding to known virulence differences against Pm8. SHA3/CBRD was shown to possess the Pm3 haplotype on 1AS, but none of the known Pm3a-g alleles. The RIL population did not provide any evidence to suggest that the Pm3 allele of SHA3/CBRD acted as a suppressor of Pm8.