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The gold deposit offshore of Northern Sanshandao is an ultra-large-scale gold deposit discovered in the Jiaodong ore area in recent years. This deposit is a fractured-zone altered-rock-type gold deposit; however, its ore genesis and precise mineralization processes are still highly controversial. Based on petrographical observation, the trace elements, sulfur isotopes, and rubidium–strontium isotopes of the gold-bearing pyrite were analyzed using LA-MC-ICP-MS to obtain the source of the ore-forming fluids and ore genesis. The results show that Au has a good positive correlation with Ag, As, and Cu. It is speculated that the As in the pyrite of the gold deposit offshore of Northern Sanshandao is in the form of As−, replacing S− and entering the pyrite, causing its lattice defects, and thus promoting the entry of Au+ into the gold-bearing pyrite. The Co/Ni ratios mainly range between 0.1 and 10, indicating that the mineralization process has experienced different forms of hydrothermal evolution and the mixing of different fluids. The results of the in-situ sulfur isotope analysis show that pyrite δ34S in the mineralization period is characterized by a high sulfur value. The authors of this study believe that the initial sulfur isotope composition has mantle-derived components. The large-scale, deep cutting, and high degree of fragmentation in the Sanshandao fault zone are conducive to the interaction between fluids and rocks, as well as the mixing and addition of seawater, resulting in the characteristic high δ34S value. The Sr isotopic compositions indicate a crust–mantle mixing attribute of the mineralized material source. The Rb–Sr isochron age of the pyrite is 118.5 ± 0.65 Ma, which represents the age of gold mineralization. According to the characteristics of the trace elements and sulfur isotopes, it is inferred that the gold deposit minerals offshore of Northern Sanshandao originated from deep magmatic-hydrothermal reservoirs, and the mixing of seawater and Au–As-rich hydrothermal fluids was the formation mechanism of huge amounts of gold precipitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soybean (Glycine max) plants first emerged in China, and they have since been established as an economically important oil crop and a major source of daily protein for individuals throughout the world. Seed emergence height is the first factor that ensures seedling adaptability to field management practices, and it is closely related to epicotyl length. In the present study, the Suinong 14 and ZYD00006 soybean lines were used as parents to construct chromosome segment substitution lines (CSSLs) for quantitative trait loci (QTL) identification. Seven QTLs were identified using two years of epicotyl length measurement data. The insertion region of the ZYD00006 fragment was identified through whole genome resequencing, with candidate gene screening and validation being performed through RNA-Seq and qPCR, and Glyma.08G142400 was ultimately selected as an epicotyl length-related gene. Through combined analyses of phenotypic data from the study population, Glyma.08G142400 expression was found to be elevated in those varieties exhibiting longer epicotyl length. Haplotype data analyses revealed that epicotyl data were consistent with haplotype typing. In summary, the QTLs found to be associated with the epicotyl length identified herein provide a valuable foundation for future molecular marker-assisted breeding efforts aimed at improving soybean emergence height in the field, with the Glyma.08G142400 gene serving as a regulator of epicotyl length, offering new insight into the mechanisms that govern epicotyl development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the triaging efficacy of the human papillomavirus (HPV) 16/18 E7 oncoprotein assay for high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN2+) screening in HPV 16/18-positive patients in a tertiary hospital in China. Methods: We collected 476 cervical cell samples from women who tested positive for HPV 16/18 in the gynecological clinic of Peking Union Medical College Hospital between September 2018 and September 2022 and analyzed them by the HPV 16/18 E7 oncoprotein assay before colposcopy and biopsy. The study assessed the triaging efficacy of the HPV 16/18 E7 oncoprotein assay in HPV 16/18-positive patients by analyzing its performance against the gold standard of histologically confirmed CIN2+. Results: The positive rate of the HPV 16/18 E7 oncoprotein assay was 41.0% (114/278) in the negative for intraepithelial lesions and malignancy/CIN1 group and 80.3% (159/198) in the CIN2+ group. For triage of women with a positive HPV 16/18 test for CIN2+ detection, the HPV 16/18 E7 oncoprotein assay had a sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of 80.3%, 59.4%, 58.5%, and 80.9%, respectively. Furthermore, longitudinal follow-up of five patients showed a good correlation between the expression of the HPV 16/18 E7 oncoprotein and cervical lesion grades. Conclusions: As a triage method for HPV 16/18-positive patients, the HPV 16/18 E7 oncoprotein assay improves the specificity, reduces the colposcopy referral rate, and has the potential for long-term monitoring of high-grade CIN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) frequently suffer from persistent gastrointestinal symptoms, such as constipation and diarrhea. Various studies have highlighted differences in gut microbiota composition between individuals with ASD and healthy controls of similar ages. However, it's essential to recognize that these disparities may be influenced by cultural practices, dietary habits, and environmental factors. Methods: In this study, we collected fecal samples from both children diagnosed with ASD (n = 42) and healthy individuals (n = 41) residing in the southeastern coastal region of China. Subsequently, 16 S rRNA gene sequencing and advanced bioinformatics analyses were conducted to investigate the distinctive features of gut microbial communities within each group. Results: The ASD group consisted of 28 males and 14 females, with a median age of 5.8 years, while the control group included 25 males and 16 females, with a median age of 6.8 years. Among the 83 sequenced fecal samples, a total of 1031 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were identified. These included 122 unique OTUs specific to the control group and 285 unique OTUs specific to the ASD group. Analyses of α-diversity and β-diversity unveiled significant differences in the abundance and composition of gut microbiota between the two groups. It was found that the dominant bacterial taxa in healthy individuals were UBA1819, Flavonifractor, and Bradyrhizobium. In contrast, the ASD group exhibited a prevalence of Streptococcus, Ruminococcus, and Ruminiclostridium. Further analysis using Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and Clusters of Orthologous Groups (COG) showed significant differences in the metabolic functionalities of the gut microbiota between the two groups. Notably, the metabolic pathway related to alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) in the gut microbiota of the ASD group was notably diminished compared to the control group. Conversely, the ASD group demonstrated significantly elevated levels of metabolic pathways involving uncharacterized conserved proteins, aminoglycoside phosphotransferase, and inorganic pyrophosphatase compared to the control group. Conclusions: Overall, these results confirm that there are significant differences in the gut microbiota structure between children with ASD and healthy controls in the southeast coastal region of China. This underscores the critical significance of delving into clinical interventions capable of mitigating the gastrointestinal and psychological symptoms encountered by children with ASD. A particularly encouraging path for such interventions lies in the realm of fecal microbiota transplantation, a prospect that merits deeper inquiry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Equine abortus salmonellosis is a bacterial disease that causes high abortion rates in susceptible equids and therefore significant economic losses. Although the tube agglutination test (TAT) is a commonly used serological test for S. Abortusequi, it is not highly specific or sensitive, and the development of more sensitive, specific and rapid assays is therefore urgently required. In this study, an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (iELISA) was developed for the specific detection of flagellum protein (FljB) antibodies against S. Abortusequi. Negative sera from horses in China (n = 1030) were used to establish the baseline for a negative population, and reference antisera positive against other viruses or bacteria were used to test the cross reactivity of the technique. The performance of the FljB iELISA was evaluated against that of the standard TAT, and was tested using field serum samples. The FljB iELISA assay was 8–16 times more sensitive than TAT. ROC analysis showed that the FljB iELISA was accurate, with an area under the curve (AUC) = 0.9943 (95% CI, 0.9815–1.000). The diagnostic sensitivity (DSe) of the FljB iELISA was 98.9% (95% Cl, 93.84%–100.00%), which was higher than that of TAT (DSe 38.6; 95% CI, 29.14%–49.08%). The diagnostic specificity (DSp) of the iELISA was 100.0% (95% CI, 95.82%–100.0%). When the 508 clinical samples were tested, the FljB iELISA had a positive detection rate of 51.38% (261/508, 95% CI, 51.24%–51.51%), which was higher than that of TAT (44/508). We also performed a serological survey for S. Abortusequi infection, using a series of samples collected from across eighteen provinces of China in 2021. The results showed that all provinces except Jiangsu had a certain number of cases, and the positive rates ranged from 0% to 96.9%, indicating the wide spread of S. Abortusequi in China. The abovementioned results suggest that the FljB iELISA developed in this study is rapid, sensitive, specific, and repeatable and is likely to be a suitable test for large-scale serological surveys for the detection and control of S. Abortusequi infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To investigate the psychological health status and explore the impact of different factors among thyroid cancer patients during the peak period of the COVID-19 epidemic in China. Methods: With thyroid cancer patients who had attended Peking Union Medical College Hospital included, we collected their demographic and clinical characteristics, COVID-19-related factors, and outcomes of 4 psychological scales (Insomnia Severity Index [ISI], Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire [GAD-7], Patient Health Questionnaire [PHQ-9], and Impact of Events Scale-Revised [IES-R]) through an online questionnaire and used multiple linear regression to find independent risk factors for each psychological symptom. Results: A total of 219 patients were included. Insomnia, anxiety, depression, and clinically relevant post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) were reported by 69 (31.5%), 87 (39.7%), 74 (33.8%), and 44 (20.1%) patients, respectively. Based on multiple linear regression, being single/divorced/widowed, having a lower level of education, receiving resources of science lectures during the epidemic, and experiencing disruption of routine treatment or follow-up were associated with poorer psychological health among patients with thyroid cancer. Conclusions: High rates of psychological symptoms and potential risk factors were found in thyroid cancer patients during the peak period of COVID-19 in China. Based on these findings, the psychological status of these patients should be a focus, and the psychological support systems need to be strengthened for the prevention of psychological crises during the epidemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Asymptomatic low-grade (Los Angeles Classification Grades A and B) esophagitis is common in clinical practice with unclear clinical outcomes. This study aimed to explore the clinical outcomes of asymptomatic low-grade esophagitis. Methods This was a multicenter cohort study conducted by three academic hospitals in China. Asymptomatic low-grade esophagitis patients between January 2015 and December 2019 were included. Mucosal healing condition 1 year after initial diagnosis, symptom outcomes, and proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) use within 1 year after initial diagnosis were studied and compared. Results A total of 248 asymptomatic low-grade esophagitis patients were included. Esophagitis disappeared in 76.2% of patients 1 year after initial diagnosis. In terms of symptom outcomes, 89.9% of patients did not present gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms within 1 year after initial diagnosis. No significant difference was found in the proportion of patients who presented GERD symptoms and in the proportion of patients with persistent esophagitis between the PPI group and the non-PPI group (all P  >   0.05). Patients with initial Grade B esophagitis were more likely to present follow-up GERD symptoms (16.0% vs 7.5%, P  =   0.041) and had more severe follow-up esophagitis than those with Grade A (P  <   0.001). Patients with follow-up GERD symptoms were more likely to have persistent esophagitis than those without. Conclusions This study demonstrated that asymptomatic low-grade esophagitis had relatively benign clinical outcomes. Patients with initial Grade B esophagitis and patients with follow-up GERD symptoms were more likely to be those who are in genuine need of further follow-up and treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soybean, which originated in China, is an important oil crop. The soybean–rhizobium symbiotic relationship provides soybean plants with abundant nitrogen. The Nod factor, which is an early signalling factor, affects the establishment of this symbiosis. In this study, the generated Sinorhizobium fredii HH103ΩNodB mutant exhibited defective Nod factor synthesis. The nodulation of 30 core collections, including 'Dongnong594' and 'Charleston', by the NodB mutant differed from the nodulation by the wild‐type strain. Soybean recombinant inbred lines derived from a 'Dongnong594' × 'Charleston' cross were used for mapping soybean genes related to the Nod factor signalling pathway. Eleven QTLs related to nodule number and eight QTLs related to nodule dry weight were revealed. On the basis of a qRT‐PCR analysis, Glyma.03G120700, Glyma.08G296000 and Glyma.15G21560 were identified as candidate genes influencing the NF interaction. These genes were differentially expressed following the inoculations with the wild‐type rhizobium and the NodB mutant. This study provides important insights into the mechanism mediating soybean responses to the NF after the soybean–rhizobium symbiosis is established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is increasing interest in the genetic diversity and phylogeography of aquatic invertebrate zooplankton in the Eastern Palearctic, yet these topics remain largely unexplored in China. Here, we investigated the lineage diversity and phylogeography of an important cladoceran taxon, the Chydorus sphaericus (Crustacea: Cladocera) species complex, which is common in various aquatic habitats. We found populations of this species complex in 30 of 154 waterbodies across China. Analysis of DNA sequences from a portion of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene placed these populations in three lineages, one of them not previously recognized. There was a clear geographical separation of C. sphaericus lineages: lineage A2‐1 was the only lineage detected on the Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau, whereas lineages A3‐1 and A3‐2 were present elsewhere in China. Several lineages (and even individual haplotypes) were widespread in Eurasia, suggesting an ability to disperse over long distances. Phylogenies based on nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer fragments (both ITS‐1 and ITS‐2) recognized two distinct C. sphaericus clades in China. Interestingly, one specimen possessing mtDNA of lineage A3‐2 was found unexpectedly to have an ITS‐1 allele normally associated with mitochondrial lineage A2‐1, and ITS‐2 alleles consistent with this. This discordance between mtDNA and nuclear phylogenies is indicative of interspecific hybridization and gene introgression between different members of the species complex. This study contributes to an understanding of the genetic diversity of the C. sphaericus species complex in a Eurasian context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A variety of biodiversity metrics are available to assess the quality of aquatic ecosystems. However, different types of metrics perform with considerable variation and provide various information involved in ecosystem conditions. Taxonomic distinctness (TD) indices have been recommended as desirable measures for assessing environmental degradation, but their utility based on lake macroinvertebrates is still largely unknown. Here, we evaluated the response of traditional and taxonomic distinctness diversity indices (the average taxonomic distinctness, Δ+, and variation in taxonomic distinctness, Λ+) of benthic macroinvertebrates to environmental degradation gradient in Lake Taihu, the third largest freshwater lake in China. Benthic assemblages responded markedly to human disturbances, with significance among-region differences in community composition throughout four seasons. The traditional biodiversity indices (Shannon-Wiener diversity and Pielou's evenness) showed high sensitivity in discriminating anthropogenic impacts, with highest values in macrophytic region but lowest values in eutrophic region. In contrast, Δ+ and Λ+ did not perform well in distinguishing sites subjected to different disturbance levels. The Pearson correlation and multiple regression analysis both indicated that traditional biodiversity metrics (Shannon-Wiener diversity, taxon richness, and Pielou's evenness) responded more readily to water quality variables (Secchi depth, electrical conductivity, and comprehensive trophic level index) than Δ+ and Λ+. Despite the weak correlations between TD indices of benthic macroinvertebrates and water quality in the present study, we suggest that the TD indices should still be considered in bioassessment programs because they provide useful complementary information on traditional diversity indices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Platelet antibodies can lead to clinical diseases such as platelet transfusion refractoriness (PTR), fetal/neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (FNAIT), etc. This study is aimed at understanding CD36 expression, platelet alloantibody distribution in different populations in Northern China, and effects of platelet alloantibodies on pregnancy. Whole blood samples of 612 subjects including hematological patients, pregnant women, and blood donors were collected at a single center, then CD36 expressions were determined, followed by platelet antibody screening and characterization of platelet antibody specificity. A retrospective analysis was performed in 1552 pregnant women admitted to Department of Obstetrics, in order to investigate FNAIT occurrence. Rate of CD36 deficiency expression was 2.12% (13/612), all cases exhibited type II deficiency without type I deficiency being detected, and such rate is lower than that in Southern China (3.43%), Japanese (4.87%) and in the black people (4.18%), and higher than that in the White people (0.09%). Positive rates of platelet antibody screening in hematological patient group (6.86%, 14/204) and in pregnant women group (6.31%, 13/206) are higher than that in blood donor group (0.49%, 1/202), P <.01. Out of 1552 pregnant women, there were not children with FNAIT. The frequency of CD36 deficiency in northern China was low, all of them were type II deficiency, and no CD36 antibody was detected. It is speculated that the risk of immune-related thrombocytopenia caused by CD36 deficiency in this population is very low. Platelet antibodies should be monitored early in patients with hematological and multiple miscarriages pregnant. • The frequency of CD36 deficiency in northern China was low. • Positive rates of platelet antibodies in hematological patients and in pregnant women group are higher than blood donor group. • Platelet antibodies should be monitored early in patients with hematological and multiple miscarriages pregnant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wild and domestic aquatic birds are the natural reservoirs of avian influenza viruses (AIVs). All subtypes of AIVs, including 16 hemagglutinin (HA) and nine neuraminidase (NA), have been isolated from the waterfowls. The H5 viruses in wild birds display distinct biological differences from their highly pathogenic H5 counterparts. Here, we isolated seven H5N3 AIVs including three from wild birds and four from domestic ducks in China from 2015 to 2018. The isolation sites of all the seven viruses were located in the region of the East Asian‐Australasian Migratory Flyway. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the surface genes of these viruses originated from the wild bird H5 HA subtype and the N3 Eurasian lineage. The internal genes of the seven H5N3 isolates are derived from the five gene donors isolated from the wild birds or ducks in Eastern‐Asia region. They were also divided into five genotypes according to their surface genes and internal gene combinations. Interestingly, two of the seven H5N3 viruses contributed their partial internal gene segments (PB1, M and NS) to the newly emerged H7N4 reassortants, which have caused first human H7N4 infection in China in 2018. Moreover, we found that the H5N3 virus used in this study react with the anti‐serum of the H5 subtype vaccine isolate (Re‐11 and Re‐12) and reacted well with the Re‐12 anti‐serum. Our findings suggest that worldwide intensive surveillance and the H5 vaccination (Re‐11 and Re‐12) in domestic ducks are needed to monitor the emergence of novel H5N3 reassortants in wild birds and domestic ducks and to prevent H5N3 viruses transmission from the apparently healthy wild birds and domestic ducks to chickens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the increasing interest in achieving carbon neutrality, water–energy–carbon synergy and trade-off mechanisms are critical for the sustainability of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Based on daily operation data of a WWTP in southern China from 2007 to 2021, we propose a new approach to explore the water–energy–carbon (WEC) nexus of WWTPs by developing a Water–Energy-Carbon Coupling Index (WECCI) and a four-quadrant clustering (FQC) method. It is found that the WECCI increased by 10.12% after the first standard upgrade and decreased by 8.20% after the second standard upgrade, which indicates that the transformation of WWTP may lead to unexpected change in the overall performance. Based on the FQC method, 85.64% of the operation data are mainly concentrated in the WEC best synergy zone after the first standard upgrade, whereas 58.52% of the operation data are concentrated in the low carbon trade-off zone after the second standard upgrade. This study indicates that WECCI and FQC are necessary tools to quantitively assess the integrated performance of WWTPs for better understanding the complex WEC mechanisms of WWTPs, which facilitate the sustainable transition of WWTPs towards carbon neutrality. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intra-specific diversity and genetic structure within the Alexandrium pacificum Litaker ( A. catenella – Group IV) populations along the Temperate Asian coasts, were studied among individuals isolated from Japan to China. The UPGMA dendrogram and FCA revealed the existence of 3 clusters. Assignment analysis suggested the occurrence of gene flows between the Japanese Pacific coast (cluster-1) and the Chinese Zhejiang coast (cluster-2). Human transportations are suspected to explain the lack of genetic difference between several pairs of distant Japanese samples, hardly explained by a natural dispersal mechanism. The genetic isolation of the population established in the Sea of Japan (cluster-3) suggested the existence of a strong ecological and geographical barrier. Along the Pacific coasts, the South–North current allows limited exchanges between Chinese and Japanese populations. The relationships between Temperate Asian and Mediterranean individuals suggested different scenario of large-scale dispersal mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Phlomis umbrosa Turcz has been used as the traditional medicine for thousands of years in China. In this paper, the acetic acid-induced writhing test, the hot plate test, the carrageenan-induced paw edema test, the xylene-induced ear swelling test, and the acetic acid-induced Evans blue leakage and leukocyte infiltration test were used to investigate the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of the aqueous extract of this plant (25, 50 and 100mg/kg i.p.). Good dose-dependent effects were obtained in most of these tests, except in the hot plate test and the acetic acid-induced Evans blue leakage test. TLC and HPLC analyses showed iridoid glucosides were the main compositions of this extract. These findings suggested that the aqueous extract of P. umbrosa has significant antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) have drawn great attention in coastal areas worldwide in the past decades because of their multiple effects on marine ecosystems as well as public health. This study utilized geographic information system (GIS) techniques to analyze the primary data on HABs, as well as shellfish toxins data, in the East China Sea from 2000 to 2006. The frequency of HABs was mapped by kernel density estimation, and the relative risk posed by HABs was assessed based on their physical–chemical characteristics. In addition, the spatial patterns and the trend of HAB events were examined by nearest neighbor analysis and time series analysis, respectively. The results revealed that HAB events not only had an increasing trend and significant seasonality, but also were clustered in space and time. HAB events displayed a higher frequency and a higher risk in Zhejiang coastal waters, particularly in the Zhoushan Archipelago, the largest marine fishery in China. Shellfish toxins were detected in areas with high HAB risk, but were not correlated with the risk. This paper provides a novel method to assess the relative risk caused by HABs and some useful information for HAB monitoring and management and aquaculture development. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Determines the age of the Anzishan granulites in the Mianxian-Lueyang suture zone of Qingling orogen in the Anzishan area, Mianxian County in Shaanxi Province, China. Sm-Nd isochron and [sup40]Ar/[sup39] ages of mineral samples from the granulites; Relation of the formation and uplift of the granulites to the subduction of the Yangtze block beneath the South Qinling microcontinent.

Domestic solid fuels combustion produces a mass of fine particulate matter (PM 2.5). PM 2.5 -bound organics, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), oxygenated-PAHs (OPAHs), phthalate esters (PAEs) and hopanes, were quantified in indoor, outdoor and personal exposure samples collected in rural Guanzhong Basin, China. The average concentration of total quantified PAHs in personal exposure samples was 310 ± 443 ng m−3, 1.5 times of those of indoor (211 ± 120 ng m−3) and outdoor (189 ± 115 ng m−3). Similar observations were found for the OPAHs and PAEs, i.e., much higher concentrations were seen in personal exposure samples. Hopanes average personal exposure concentration (13 ± 9.7 ng m−3) was comparable to indoors (15 ± 9.7 ng m−3) and outdoors (13 ± 9.6 ng m−3). Among four common heating ways applied in Chinese dwelling, the highest exposure levels to PAHs, OPAHs and PAEs were found for indoor coal chunks stoves. Concentration under electric power was 1.2–4.5 folds lower than those with solid fuels in this study, proved to be the cleanest energy for the household heating. The exposures to PM 2.5 on cell viabilities were also investigated. The largest reduction of 70% on cell viabilities was seen for indoor coal chunks stove housewives, indicating that the emissions from coal combustion had the greatest cytotoxic effects. The results evidenced that the heating ways in rural area could greatly impact on the housewife health in northwestern China. Advanced heating technology and protection should be conducted to reduce the personal exposures to PM 2.5 from domestic solid fuel combustions. Image 1 • Domestic solid fuels emit toxic particulate-bound organics in rural northern China. • Personal exposures to PAHs, OPAHs, PAEs were ∼1.5 times of indoors and outdoors. • PM 2.5 from coal chuck stove had the maximum decline in cell viability. • Use of electricity reduced personal exposure levels to organics by 1.2–10 times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Pyrite sulfur is mainly derived from mantle-crust mixtures, with some contributions from the Gaoyuzhuang Formation limestone. • Ore-forming fluids are enriched in As-Bi-Te-Tl besides Au, and high As content may drive the precipitation of gold. • Gold enriched and precipitated within the arsenian pyrite crystal lattice may source from the Archean metamorphic rocks. The Yuerya gold deposit, a representative gold deposit associated with Mesozoic granites in the eastern Hebei region, is located in the eastern Hebei-western Liaoning gold ore-concentrated area, the northern margin of the North China Plate. The orebody is mainly preserved in the Yanshanian granite and its contact zone with the carbonate rocks of the Gaoyuzhuang Formation, and the main ore mineral is pyrite. Based on the pyrite texture, geochemical characteristics of the in-situ trace element analysis, and sulfur isotope, the pyrite in the mining area is classified into five generations (Py1, Py2, Py3, Py4a, and Py4b). Five generations of pyrite all have an average Te/Se ratio > 1, and their average Co/Ni ratios are 1087.27, 43.97, 4.17, 12.62, and 4.99, respectively, indicating that the ore-forming fluid predominantly originates from magmatic-hydrothermal. In-situ sulfur isotopic analysis using LA–MC–ICP–MS shows that the δ34S values of the five generations of pyrites ranged from 0.3 ‰ to 9.6 ‰; the mean values are 3.8 ‰ (Py1, n = 4), 4.2 ‰ (Py2, n = 10), 2.6 ‰ (Py3, n = 18), 4.0 ‰ (Py4a, n = 20) and 4.6 ‰ (Py4b, n = 29), respectively. Approximately 32 % of the results exceed 5.0 ‰, surpassing the values indicative of a magmatic-hydrothermal source. Thermodynamic simulations reveal that the fluctuations in the oxidation state of the ore-forming fluid is not the predominant cause of δ34S enrichment in the pyrite. Our studies suggest that sulfur is primarily derived from mantle-crust mixtures, with some contributions from the wallrock of the Gaoyuzhuang Formation. The results from LA–ICP–MS trace element analysis of pyrites reveal a significant enrichment of As-Bi-Te-Tl alongside Au in the ore-forming fluid. Additionally, the results of ore-forming elements in three typical cross sections of different wallrocks in the mining area also show that Au, Ag, As, and Pb are closely related. Therefore, it is considered that the over-enrichment of As could be an important factor leading to the precipitation of Au. Pyrite undergoes expansion of the mineral lattice parameters or lattice dislocation due to the substitution of S with As, creating space for the growth of solid-solution Au. Subsequently, some of the solid-solution Au within pyrite is liberated through internal oscillations, forming the visible gold particles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Household solid fuel combustion for heating and cooking in rural areas is an important source of fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) in northwestern China, which largely contributes to PM 2.5 personal exposure concentrations during the cold winter. There is a general lack of understanding about the personal exposure to PM 2.5 and to its chemical components emitted from domestic solid fuel combustion in northwestern Chinese rural populations. In this work, personal exposure to PM 2.5 was sampled using a portative device together with fixed indoor and outdoor fixed samplings in Guanzhong Plain in December 2016 for the purpose of characterizing personal exposure to PM 2.5 as a function of different solid fuels used in rural households. The average housewife's personal exposure to PM 2.5 concentration was 263.4 ± 105.8 μg m −3 (1σ, n = 30), which was about 40% higher than the values found indoors (186.5 ± 79.5 μg m −3 , 1σ, n = 30) and outdoors (191.0 ± 85.3 μg m −3 , 1σ, n = 30). High personal exposure PM 2.5 levels were mainly related to the ignition of solid fuels for heating and cooking. Correlations among personal exposure, indoor and outdoor PM 2.5 levels and their mutual ratios were computed to investigate how personal exposure to fine aerosols can be related to microenvironmental PM 2.5 levels and to individual activities. The results showed that households using electric power for heating and cooking were characterized by an average personal exposure PM 2.5 value of 156.8 ± 36.6 μg m −3 (1σ, n = 6) while personal exposure to PM 2.5 in households using solid fuels was twice higher (310.8 ± 90.4 μg m −3 , 1σ, n = 24). Solid fuel combustion products and related secondary formed species dominated PM 2.5 mass in personal exposure, indoor and outdoor samples. Motor vehicle emission and various dust sources were two other main contributors identified. Our results demonstrated that the use of clean energy could be an effective measure to reduce personal exposure levels of PM 2.5 emitted from domestic solid fuels combustion in winter in rural areas, which implied that the government should speed up the upgrade of the heating and cooking equipment fleet to protect the health of rural residents in northwestern China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Five types of pyrite were identified. • Physicochemical conditions of fluid extremely changed in syn -ore stage. • Sulfidation and phase separation caused by hydrofracturing are key mechanisms of gold mineralization. • Au and Ag mineralization belong to a single metallogenic event at the Dayingezhuang deposit. Identifying the mechanism of gold deposition is important to reveal ore-forming processes and genesis. The giant Dayingezhuang gold deposit, with 283 tons of proven gold resources, is located in the northwestern of the Jiaodong gold province, China. Pyrite is the dominant sulfide minerals and visible gold dominates Au resources. Five types of pyrite were identified at the Dayingezhuang gold deposit: (1) Py-1a is euhedral grain with Co– and Ni-rich content; (2) Py-1b is subhedral to anhedral grain with intermediate rich in Co, Ni, As and minor Te; (3) Py-2a is rich in As and crystalizes with a mass of mineral inclusions; (4) Py-2b is also rich in As but glossy; and (5) Py-3 is mainly euhedral grain and crystalizes with much more galena. Laser ablation spectra commonly shows Au and Ag-Bi-Pb spikes in Py-1b, Py-2a, Py-2b and Py-3, reflecting the occurrence of nanoparticles in pyrite. LA-ICP-MS mapping analysis shows elemental zoning of Co, Ni and As, which is considered as the element depletion (Co and Ni) of pre-existing Py-1a and enrichment (As) from ore-forming fluid via coupled dissolution-reprecipitation (CDR) mechanism. Au in pyrite is totally below 1 ppm (average 0.154 ppm and median 0.264 ppm) and without arresting variation in different pyrites, and mass balance indecates that invisible gold mobilized from pyrite may not interpret the formation of world-class gold deposit in the Jiaodong gold province. Most of the gold grains distribute in the microfractures of pyrites which is caused by brittle deformation. Fracture of rocks and minerals significantly improve the efficiency of water–rock interaction and result in sudden drop of fluid pressure. A probable model is that a fluid with extremely different physicochemical conditions and high As-Au-Cu-Pb-Bi-Te content give rise to Au mineralization, and visible gold precipitate in a gold-supersaturated hydrothermal fluid which is attributed to sulfidation and fluid phase separation via hydrofracturing. In addition, similar occurrences of gold and silver (individual minerals in microfractures of pyrites and spikes on laser ablation spectra of pyrite) and paragenetic sequence indicate that gold and silver mineralization belong to single geological event. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnopharmacological relevance Sophora flavescens (Fabaceae), also known as Kushen (Chinese: 苦参), has been an important species in Chinese medicine since the Qin and Han dynasties. The root of Sophora flavescens has a long history in the traditional medicine of many countries, including China, Japan, Korea, India and some countries in Europe. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), Sophora flavescens has been used extensively, mainly in combination with other medicinal plants in prescriptions to treat fever, dysentery, hematochezia, jaundice, oliguria, vulvar swelling, asthma, eczema, inflammatory disorders, ulcers and diseases associated with skin burns. The aim of this review is to provide updated and comprehensive information regarding the botany, ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, biological activities and toxicology of Sophora flavescens and to discuss possible trends and opportunities for further research on Sophora flavescens . Materials and methods We systematically searched major scientific databases (PubMed, Elsevier, SpringerLink, Google Scholar, Medline Plus, ACS, “ Da Yi Yi Xue Sou Suo ( http://www.dayi100.com/login.jsp )”, China Knowledge Resource Integrated (CNKI) and Web of Science) for information published between 1958 and 2015 on Sophora flavescens . Information was also acquired from local classic herbal literature, conference papers, government reports, and PhD and MSc dissertations. Results The broad spectrum of biological activities associated with Sophora flavescens has been considered a valuable resource in both traditional and modern medicine. Extracts are taken either orally or by injection. More than 200 compounds have been isolated from Sophora flavescens , and the major components have been identified as flavonoids and alkaloids. Recent in vitro and in vivo studies indicate that at least 50 pure compounds and crude extracts from Sophora flavescens possess wide-ranging antitumor, antimicrobial, antipyretic, antinociceptive, and anti-inflammatory pharmacological abilities. The anticancer and anti-infection abilities of these components are especially attractive areas for research. Conclusions Sophora flavescens is a promising traditional medicine, but there is a need for more precise studies to test the safety and clinical value of its main active crude extracts and pure compounds and to clarify their mechanisms of action. Moreover, some existing studies have lacked systematic methods and integration with the existing literature, and some of the experiments were isolated, used small sample sizes and were unreliable. More validated data are therefore required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Five novel compounds — three sesquiterpene coumarin derivatives, ferulin A (1), B (2), and C (3), and two sesquiterpene chromone derivatives, ferulin D (4) and E (5), together with eleven known compounds (6–16) have been isolated from the roots of Ferula ferulaeoides (Steud.) Korov. Their structures were established by comprehensive spectroscopic analysis. The biosynthetic pathways leading to these compounds were proposed. The cytotoxicity of all these isolates against HepG2, MCF-7, and C6 cancer cell lines was evaluated and compound 7 displayed the highest potency against HepG2, MCF-7, and C6 with IC50 values 39.9μM, 37.7μM, and 16.0μM, respectively. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Five new steroidal saponins, Pallidifloside D (1), Pallidifloside E (2), Pallidifloside G (5), Pallidifloside H (6) and Pallidifloside I (7), together with seven other steroidal saponins (3, 4, 8–12) were isolated from the dry bulbs of Fritillaria pallidiflora Schrenk. Their structures were established by spectroscopic techniques (IR, MS, 1D and 2D NMR) and chemical means. The isolated steroidal saponins were evaluated for cyotoxic activity against human C6 brain gliomas and Hela cervix cancer cell lines using MTT assays. Compounds 1, 10, 11, 12 showed cytotoxicity against C6 and Hela cell lines with IC50 values in the range of 5.1–75.8μM. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Yangcheng Lake, a typical fishery lake in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, is threatened by eutrophication. As the main performers of biogeochemical cycles, microorganisms affect the ecological stability of the lake. To study the structural characteristics of the microbial community in Yangcheng Lake and rivers entering Yangcheng Lake and the response relationship with environmental factors, the microbial community was categorized based on the contour of Yangcheng Lake, the major rivers entering Yangcheng Lake, and the pollution sources. The distribution characteristics of seven physicochemical indices were analyzed, including total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), water temperature (WT), pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), and ratio of total nitrogen to total phosphorus (TN/TP). Characterization of microbial community structure based on 16S rRNA high-flux sequencing technology and ANOSIM analysis were used to explore the differences in the relative abundance of microorganisms at each sampling point in the lake and rivers, and redundancy analysis (RDA) was used to analyze the relationship between the microbial community and physicochemical factors. The results showed that the dominant phyla, genera of microorganisms, and the total number of OTUs in the lake and rivers were similar. The dominant phyla included Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Cyanobacteria, and Verrucomicrobia; the dominant genera included the hgcI clade, CL500-29 marine group, Microcystis PCC-7914, Chloroplast&#95;norank, Clade III&#95;norank, and Flavobacterium. ANOSIM analyses revealed that the microbial community of Yangcheng Lake exhibited an association with geographical space, while the microbial community in the rivers that was linked to the type of pollution source. Redundancy analysis (RDA) indicated that dissolved oxygen (DO), total nitrogen (TN), and pH were significantly correlated with the dominant phyla in Yangcheng Lake (p < 0.05), while total nitrogen (TN), water temperature(WT), and the ratio of total nitrogen to total phosphorus (TN/TP) were significantly related with the dominant genera in Yangcheng Lake (p < 0.05). Total nitrogen (TN) was also significantly linked to the dominant phyla and genera of the tributaries (p < 0.05). Despite the structural similarities in microbial communities between Yangcheng Lake and its inflowing rivers, environmental factors demonstrated significant associations with these communities, providing crucial data support for pollution prevention and the ecological restoration of Yangcheng Lake., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Fasciolosis is harmful to ruminant husbandry worldwide. Given the superficial survey on Fasciolosis infection in Guangxi, the main buffalo breeding area in China, an in-depth investigation in the infection of buffaloes in Nanning, the capital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, with Fasciola (Platyhelminthes: Trematoda: Digenea) species will provide a theoretical support for the control and prevention of Fasciolosis infection in buffaloes. Five water buffalo livers were collected from an abattoir in Nanning every 2 weeks from June 2018 to April 2019, and a total of 101 livers were obtained. All livers were then dissected to observe the liver lesions caused by the flukes. Afterwards, Fasciola spp. collected from Fasciolosis-infected livers were numbered and measured. Then, the livers infected with more than 3 flukes were marked, and 3 flukes were picked from each liver according to their morphological differences, such as body length (BL), body maximum width (BW) and length-width ratio (BL/BW). Moreover, these Fasciola spp. worms were selected for molecular biological analysis. The second internal transcribed spacer (ITS-2) of nuclear ribosomal DNA (rDNA) was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequenced. Finally, sequential and phylogenetic analyses were also performed. The infection rate was 38.6 % according to anatomic examination, and the livers infected by Fasciola spp. were damaged seriously. The principal manifestations were the enlargement of the liver and protrusion of the bile ducts. In some cases, the bile duct wall became inflamed and rough, in which some sediment such as phosphate could be easily found. After dissection, 1243 Fasciola spp. flukes were collected from 39 out of 101 livers. The morphometric measurements obtained from the present study showed that the BL/BW ranged from 1.42-10.25. However, it might vary considerably among different geographical locations and could not be used as an accurate method for the identification of Fasciola spp.. Analysis of the ITS-2 sequences showed that 83 out of 87 flukes had 100 % homology with each other, and the other 4 flukes with 99.3 % homology possessed a nucleotide polymorphism. A unique position (271) was detected in flukes in Nanning isolates. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that all the flukes were Fasciola gigantica, and no Fasciola hepatica or the intermediate form was found in this study., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Yolk sac tumors (YSTs) are a major histological subtype of malignant ovarian germ cell tumors with a relatively poor prognosis. The molecular basis of this disease has not been thoroughly characterized at the genomic level. Here we perform whole-exome and RNA sequencing on 41 clinical tumor samples from 30 YST patients, with distinct responses to cisplatin-based chemotherapy. We show that microsatellite instability status and mutational signatures are informative of chemoresistance. We identify somatic driver candidates, including significantly mutated genes KRAS and KIT and copy-number alteration drivers, including deleted ARID1A and PARK2, and amplified ZNF217, CDKN1B, and KRAS. YSTs have very infrequent TP53 mutations, whereas the tumors from patients with abnormal gonadal development contain both KRAS and TP53 mutations. We further reveal a role of OVOL2 overexpression in YST resistance to cisplatin. This study lays a critical foundation for understanding key molecular aberrations in YSTs and developing related therapeutic strategies.

Residential coals are still inevitable using in developing areas in China. Clean coal briquettes, normally using alkaline substance such as lime or red mud (RM) as the additive, were helpful in pollution emission reduction even without changes of stoves. Studies of atmospheric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) emission characteristics from RM clear coal combustion were limited. In this study, emission factors (EFs), sources profiles, and health risks of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in PM 2.5 were investigated for raw coal chunks and clean coal (with red mud) through combustion experiments. EFs of total PAHs were found to be 160.1 ± 100.9 mg·kg -1 and 19.4 ± 6.1 mg·kg -1 for bituminous and anthracite raw coal chunks (B-C and A-C), respectively. EFs values were highest for parent PAHs (p-PAHs), followed by oxygenated PAHs (o-PAHs), alkylated PAHs (a-PAHs), and nitro PAHs (n-PAHs). EFs of p-PAHs account for 80% and 52% of total PAHs emissions for B-C and A-C, respectively, while those for o-PAHs are 22.9% and 44.9%, demonstrating residential coal combustion as a significant primary source for p-PAHs and o-PAHs. Clean coals were developed through cold-press technology with red mud (RM) as additive, and clean coals with RM contents of 10% are referred to as B-10% (bituminous) and A-10% (anthracite). Compared to raw coals chunks, EFs were reduced from 128.1, 2.5, 29.3 mg·kg -1 and 161.8 μg·kg -1 to 83.5, 1.3, 16.4 mg·kg -1 and 102.2 μg·kg -1 by B-10%, and from 10.1, 0.6, 8.7 mg·kg -1 and 20.6 μg·kg -1 to 11.9, 0.2, 2.4 mg·kg -1 and 15.3 μg·kg -1 by A-10% for p-PAHs, o-PAHs, a-PAHs and n-PAHs, respectively. Diagnostic ratios of 5-Nitroacenaphthene / Acenaphthene (0.02-0.05 for coal, 0.0002 for biomass) can be used to separate residential coal and biomass burning in source analysis. When B-C was replaced by B-10%, both noncancer (0.58 to 0.33 for male, 1.65 to 0.95 for female in hazard quotient) and cancer risks (5.68 × 10 -4 to 2.73 × 10 -4 for male, 2.63 × 10 -3 to 1.27 × 10 -3 for female) can be reduced. o-PAHs should be paid more attention because of its high cancer risks caused by 6H-Benzo(C,D)Pyrene-6-One (1.74 × 10 -5 for male, 8.07 × 10 -5 for female), which are even more than the total risks caused by n-PAHs (3.59 × 10 -7 for male, 1.66 × 10 -6 for female). Results from this study highlighted the environment and health effects of PAHs originated from residential coal combustion, and proposed an effective way by using clean coal to alleviate the associated negative impacts., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors 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 © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Five new 4-alkyl-5,7-dihydroxycoumarins, Mesuaferol G-K (1-5), together with four known 4-alkyl-5,7-dihydroxycoumarins (6-9) were isolated from the methanol extraction of the flowering buds of Mesua ferrea by flash extraction. Their structures were established on the basis of extensive analyses of HR-ESI-MS, UV, IR and NMR methods, the absolute configurations were confirmed by the Mosher's method and circular dichroism (CD) measurement and theoretical calculation (ECD) methods. Additionally, a putative biogenetic relationship of these compounds was also proposed. The cytotoxicity of all these isolates against HepG2, MCF-7 and Hela cancer cell lines was evaluated. In MCF-7 and Hela cell lines, all compounds exhibited strong activity (IC 50 in the range of 3.21-13.54 μM and 4.69-14.47 μM, respectively), while almost all compounds showed moderate cytotoxic activities against HepG2 cell lines., (Copyright © 2019. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

A ethanol extract of green walnut husks (Juglans regia L.) was isolated by various chromatographic techniques yielding 5 previously unknown diarylheptanoids, namely Juglanin F (1), Juglanin G (2), Juglanin H (3), Juglanin I (4) and Juglanin J (5), respectively, together with 12 known diarylheptanoids. The structures of these 17 compounds were elucidation on the basis of spectroscopic analysis. Upon evaluation of compounds 1-5 on the human hepatoma cells HepG2, compound 3 exhibited moderate inhibitory activity with IC50 27.72 μM., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Characteristics of indoor volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and their health risks were investigated in kitchens and bedrooms during the heating season in rural Guanzhong Plain, China. Toxic-VOC concentrations in kitchens with traditional wood (299 ± 38.8 μg m -3 ) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) stoves (187 ± 54.6 μg m -3 ) were considerably higher than those in bedrooms. High levels of toxic VOCs in traditional kitchens were strongly correlated with wood combustion (R = 0.72). The coefficient of determination of VOC profiles between the kitchen and wood combustion was 0.27, indicating that VOCs in traditional kitchens are mainly derived from wood combustion. For women, who do most of the cooking, noncancer risk from exposure to toxic VOCs could reach 7600 and 2550 in traditional and LPG kitchens, respectively. Noncancer risks were much lower in bedrooms than in kitchens, but still two orders of magnitude higher than the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) threshold. Cancer risk from exposure to VOCs for women was 8.98 × 10 -4 and 1.67 × 10 -4 in both traditional and LPG kitchens, respectively, and ranged from 2.51 × 10 -6 to 3.85 × 10 -5 in bedrooms-all exceeding the USEPA threshold. Thus, during the heating season indicated that the rural Guanzhong residents were exposed to toxic VOCs from indoor heating and cooking at levels higher than the recommended safety levels. Moreover, traditional cooking and heating styles in rural Guanzhong need to be urgently updated to improve the indoor air quality for residents., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Large-scale harmful alga bloom (HAB) has been found in Changjiang River estuary and Zhoushan archipelago in recent three years, and the alga is Prorocentrum dentatum, which distributes in the sea areas with high salinity and (may) originates in outer sea area. Data from recent HAB rapid monitoring and ecological investigation were analyzed to study its ecological characteristics and forming inducement. The results showed that the most suitable temperature and salinity range for HAB forming was from 18 degrees C to 22 degrees C and from 21 to 31, respectively. The P. dentatum was motile and owned diurnal vertical migration bringing them the advantages in obtaining light and nutrients. Eutrophication was the preliminary condition, and water temperature, nitrate content, upwelling current, and strong competence on low phosphate environment were important to cause and maintain HAB.