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Insight into the evolution of Philippine Sea‐South China Sea (SCS) plate motions helps reveal the driving mechanisms of the long‐term tectonic complexity in Southeast Asia. Here, based on the integration of the most recent geological and seismic data, we present a new plate reconstruction model for this region characterized by back‐arc extension and subduction since the Eocene. We suggest that the western boundary of the Philippine Sea Plate was a constant sinistral strike‐slip fault at 55–22 Ma with a clockwise self‐rotation. The connection between the SCS and Shikoku Ridges possibly initiates at 30 Ma, when their spreading times overlapped indicating an affinitive origin and magma source. Regional‐scale geodynamic simulations interfaced with our reconstructed plate motion indicate that the seismic high‐velocity body under the SCS is likely to be the leading edge of the Pacific Slab. Plain Language Summary: Since 55 million years ago, East Asia has been going through a complex plate recombination. Several quantitative plate motion models have been published, but there remain several irrationalities, for example, a footwall plate was moving away from the trench. We established a new model for the Philippine Sea‐South China Sea (SCS) region as an improvement. Our model provides a smooth movement of the Philippine Sea Plate (PSP) from the equatorial zone to its present position, with a clockwise rotation. Based on it, we deduce: (a) the western boundary of the PSP was a sinistral strike‐slip fault; (b) the spreading ridges in SCS and Shikoku Basin were connected at 30 Ma; (c) the stagnant slab under the SCS is a part of the subducting Pacific Slab. Key Points: A new plate reconstruction model of Philippine Sea‐South China Sea (SCS) region since 55 Ma by integrating the latest geological geophysical dataThe western boundary of the Philippine Sea Plate was a constant sinistral strike‐slip fault at 55–22 MaThe geodynamic model indicates the seismic high‐velocity body under the SCS likely to be the leading edge of the Pacific Slab [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The northern South China Sea continental margin is the key or critical segment of the Ocean-Continent Connection Zone (OCCZ) of the Great South China Block' the junction between the Tethyan and the (Paleo-) Pacific dynamic systems' and the interaction area between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. However' due to the low-degree geophysical exploration in the past' the regional tectonic background' processes and mechanism of the transition between the Tethyan and the Pacific tectonic domains are unclear. Based on the latest large number of seismic profiles' we focus on the Cenozoic basin structure in the continental margin of the northern South China Sea and try to reveal the Mesozoic basement structures of the northern South China Sea continental margin, with the aim of exploring the pre-Cenozoic tectonic evolution and the Cenozoic opening, spreading, ridge fossil and closure of the South China Sea oceanic basin, so as to serve the accurate oil and gas exploration in this area at the same time. The seismic interpretation of the Pearl River Mouth Basin and the field structural investigation of the South China continental margin show that the OCCZ of the South China Block has experienced three processes: Mesozoic Indosinian collisional orogeny, Early Yanshanian accretionary orogeny and Late Yanshanian transpressive orogeny. During the Cenozoic era, it experienced the dispersive extension into basins under the control of NW-SE-directed normal extension in the early stage, the dextral pull-apart into basins under the control of NE-NNE-trending strike-slip faults in the middle stage, and the sinistral pull-apart into basins under the control of NW-WNW strike-slip faults in the late stage. In general, the transition process from the Tethyan to the Pacific tectonic systems can be subdivided into four stages: the transition from the Paleo-Tethyan to the Neo-Tethyan tectonic systems, the transition from the Neo-Tethyan to the Paleo-Pacific tectonic systems, the transition from the Neo-Tethyan to the Pacific tectonic systems, and the transition from the Paleo-Pacific to the Pacific tectonic systems. The tectonic transition of the East Asian OCCZ reflects the long-term mechanism of the Earth plate dynamic system driving the plate superconvergence in East Asia, in particular of the importance of the deep or submarine "Triple Poles", the Southeast Asian U-shape subduction system, the Pacific LLSVP and the African LLSVP. More importantly, the Southeast Asian U-shape subduction system is also one of the important dynamic engines of the Earth plate motion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the association between particulate matter and the incidence, disability, and mortality of stroke, we reported the burden of stroke attributable to particulate matter (PM 2.5) pollution, including ambient particulate matter pollution (APMP) and household air pollution from solid fuels (HAP), from 1990 to 2019. We retrieved the detailed data on the burden of stroke attributable to PM 2.5 from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2019. The number of disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) and deaths, age-standardized death rates (ASMR), and age-standardized disability-adjusted life-years rates (ASDR) attributable to PM 2.5 were estimated by age, sex, geographical location, socio-demographic index (SDI), and stroke subtypes (ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, and subarachnoid hemorrhage). The estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) was calculated to assess the trends in ASDR and ASMR during the period 1990–2019. Regarding stroke subtypes, the proportion of ischemic stroke burden is increasing, while intracerebral hemorrhage carries the heaviest burden. Both APMP and HAP contributed the most to stroke-related deaths and DALYs of stroke among the elderly populations and males. The highest ASDR and ASMR of stroke attributable to APMP were in the middle SDI regions, especially in East Asia. For HAP, the highest ASDR and ASMR were in the low SDI regions, mainly in Oceania. From 1990–2019, in terms of the EAPC results, APMP caused an increased burden of stroke, whereas the impact of HAP significantly fell. The most pronounced increase in ASDR and ASMR for strokes attributed to APMP were in the low-middle SDI and low SDI regions, particularly among the 25–35 age group. Stroke attributed to PM 2.5 is a global health problem, and the patterns and trends were heterogeneous across APMP and HAP. Targeted interventions should be formulated for APMP and HAP. • Stroke attributable to APMP increased more significantly for younger age groups. • HAP is on a downward trend compared to APMP, but still not negligible. • a significant increase in ischemic stroke in young people. • Significant increase in intracerebral hemorrhage in the elderly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Mesozoic Western Pacific subduction system significantly impacted the North China and South China blocks along the East Asian continental margin and influenced the tectonic, magmatic, metallogenic and geomorphic evolution of the region. However, the dynamics and impact on the zone along the East Asian ocean-continent connection zone remain debated. Here we provide a comprehensive synthesis of the state-of-the-art information from deformation analysis, magmatism, geochronology, tomography and other fields from this region. We evaluate first the pre-Yanshanian (pre-Jurassic) final assembly of blocks and the Late Triassic formation of the unified continental margin in East China. We then focus on the Jurassic and Cretaceous geological processes in the East Asian ocean-continent connection zone. The temporal and spatial evolution of structural propagation, sedimentary depocentre, age zonation and migration of magmatism, as well as the large-scale tectono-morphological inversion in the Earth surface system combined with deep processes, are probed. In the early Yanshannian Period (Early and Middle Jurassic, 200–160 Ma), the destruction of the North China Craton (NCC) was mainly affected by the westward early-stage layered rollback, and stepwise delamination and thinning of its continental lithosphere, resulting in the early Yanshanian westward migration of tectonism and magmatism. Coevally, the combined effect of the closure of the Mongal-Okhotsk Ocean to the north and the subduction of the Bangong-Co- Nujiang Ocean to the south imparted an overall compressional setting in the East Asian Ocean-Continent Connection Zone (EAOCCZ). The centres of asthenospheric upwelling and mantle extrusion at depth continued to migrate eastward, driving the eastward lithospheric thinning with periodic and alternating extension and compression. The South China Block experienced a westward flat subduction during the early Yanshanian Period, resulting in the westward propagation of deformation and magmatism, followed by late two-stage delamination to induce the eastward tectono-magmatism. The difference in tectono-magmatic styles between the North China and South China blocks is a result of the different mechanisms and syles of the deep delamination processes under the superconvergence regime of the East Asian and adjacent plates. Especially delamination under North China generated the northwestward layered and fractured subcontinental lithospheric mantle, whereas under the eastern South China Block, were the oceanic lithospheric mantle of the Paleo- Pacific Plate that underwent flat subduction, or continental garnet peridotite mantle. In the middle Yanshanian Period (Late Jurassic to early Early Cretaceous, 160–125 Ma), the EAOCCZ underwent escape tectonics to form some basins related to strike slip faulting. Generally the extensional basins in the tails of the triangular-shaped escape blocks are perpendicular to the extrusion direction. The transtensional or transpressional basins are controlled by the strike slip faults distributed on both sides of the triangular block, and the flexural basins occur in front. In the late Yanshanian Period (late Early Cretaceous-Late Cretaceous, 125–65 Ma), the Paleo-Pacific (Izanagi) Plate subducted NNW-ward beneath the Eurasian continent, and the subduction angles changed gradually following eastward mantle extrusion induced by the closure of the Okhotsk Ocean to the north and Bangong-Nujiang Ocean to the south, as well as the rollback and subduction retreat of the Paleo-Pacific Plate to the east. The EAOCCZ gradually experienced lithospheric collapse and the formation of metamorphic core complexes, as well as obvious landscape reversal. During 70–45 Ma, the Izanagi-Pacific Ridge subducted beneath the EAOCCZ to induce wide uplift resulting in the formation of the Cenozoic dextral transtension-related basins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uncaria macrophylla (Rubiaceae) is a medicinal vine plant of the Rubiaceae family that was distributed in East Asia and Southeast Asia. The first complete chloroplast genome of Uncaria macrophylla was sequenced and assembled in this study. The genome is 155,138 bp in length and contained 129 encoded genes in total, including 79 protein-coding genes, eight ribosomal RNA genes, and 37 transfer RNA genes. The phylogenomic analysis showed that U. macrophylla was closely related to Uncaria rhynchophylla according to the current sampling extent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Arctic plays a fundamental role in the climate system and has shown significant climate change in recent decades, including the Arctic warming and decline of Arctic sea-ice extent and thickness. In contrast to the Arctic warming and reduction of Arctic sea ice, Europe, East Asia and North America have experienced anomalously cold conditions, with record snowfall during recent years. In this paper, we review current understanding of the sea-ice impacts on the Eurasian climate. Paleo, observational and modelling studies are covered to summarize several major themes, including: the variability of Arctic sea ice and its controls; the likely causes and apparent impacts of the Arctic sea-ice decline during the satellite era, as well as past and projected future impacts and trends; the links and feedback mechanisms between the Arctic sea ice and the Arctic Oscillation/North Atlantic Oscillation, the recent Eurasian cooling, winter atmospheric circulation, summer precipitation in East Asia, spring snowfall over Eurasia, East Asian winter monsoon, and midlatitude extreme weather; and the remote climate response (e.g., atmospheric circulation, air temperature) to changes in Arctic sea ice. We conclude with a brief summary and suggestions for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Cenozoic basins in East Asia have an eastward and diachronous tectonic migration. [•] 40Ma and 25Ma are two important times of tectonic jumping in East China. [•] Tectonic jumping is a response of the Indian-Eurasian collision. [•] Tectonic jumping is also a response of subduction of the Pacific Plate. [•] The related oil and gas migrations are eastward. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prunus subgenus Padus is a group with a wide distribution in temperate eastern Asia and eastern North America with one species extending to Europe and one to Central America. Phylogenetic relationships of subgenus Padus were reconstructed using sequences of nuclear ribosomal ITS, and plastid ndhF gene, and rps16 intron and rpl16 intron. Prunus subgenus Padus is shown to be polyphyletic. Taxa of subgenus Padus and subgenus Laurocerasus are highly intermixed in both the ITS and the plastid trees. The results support two disjunctions between eastern North America and Eurasia within the Padus group. One disjunction is between Prunus virginiana of eastern North America and P. padus of Eurasia, estimated to have diverged at 2.99 (95 % HPD 0.59-6.15)-4.1 (95 % HPD 0.63-8.59) mya. The other disjunction is between P. serotina and its Asian relatives. The second disjunction may have occurred earlier than the former one, but the age estimate is difficult due to the unresolved phylogenetic position of the P. serotina complex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tricyrtis (Liliaceae) is an endemic genus in East Asia. Many of the species in the genus are in Endangered condition due to habitat loss and extensive horticultural usage in recent decades. In present study, we reported the first Tricyrtis chloroplast (cp) genome, Tricyrtis macropoda, based on Illumina pair-end sequencing data. The complete chloroplast genome size is 155,778 bp. In total, 131 genes were identified, including 85 protein-coding genes, 8 rRNA genes, and 38 tRNA genes. Fifteen genes are containing introns (clpP and ycf3 contained two introns) and 14 genes had two copies. The overall GC content of this genome was 37.4%. A further phylogenomic analysis of Liliales, including 62 taxa, was conducted for the placement of genus Tricyrtis. The complete plastome of T. marcropoda will provide a valuable resource for further genetic conservation, phylogenomic, and evolution studies in the genus and family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A Mesozoic Andean-type active continental margin is believed to have developed along the Southeast China continental margin, which has been investigated in detail. However, the architecture and evolution of its retroarc-arc-forearc system, which is important for us to understand the interaction or connection between continental and oceanic lithospheres, are ambiguous. Using multiple disciplinary data comprising seismic profiles, field observations and numerical paleo-topographies, this study synthetically focused on the Jurassic-Cretaceous evolution and geodynamics of the Andean-type Southeast China continental margin. Subduction of the paleo-Pacific Plate was initiated during the Early Jurassic (~200 Ma), generating a NNE-striking Jurassic magmatic arc along the East China Sea, bounded by imbricate thrust faults on both sides and coinciding with a paleo-topographic coastal mountain range. While the Jurassic arc erupted along an ENE-striking Triassic suture zone in the northern South China Sea, dominated by the Tethyan tectonic domain and overprinted by the Pacific tectonic domain. The Jurassic coastal mountain range began to collapse and transited into a rift basin at ~135 Ma and then the Andean-type continental margin gradually switched to the western Pacific-type during the Late Cretaceous (100–72 Ma), accompanied by Jurassic thrust faults inverting into Cretaceous detachment faults and magmatic arc migrated eastward to the Taiwan-Rukyu areas. Such eastward tectonic migration and transition is associated with the eastward retreat of the subducted paleo-Pacific slab. Then a regional latest Cretaceous (72–66 Ma) compression prevailed Southeast China, probably related to "ridge subduction" when the Pacific Plate replaced the paleo-Pacific Plate to subduct beneath East Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The North Luzon Trough, on the East Asian continental margin, is under transpression due to the oblique convergence between the Eurasian and Philippine Sea plates. Based on a seismic profile across the Manila subduction system and other geological data, we propose a strike-slip pull-apart basin model to account for the formation of the North Luzon Forearc Basin. The subduction system experienced four tectonic evolutionary stages: (1) initial subduction (~22–20 Ma): the Eurasian Plate began to subduct beneath the Philippine Sea Plate, and the incipient Manila Trench-North Luzon Volcanic Arc system started to form; (2) upper crustal deformation (~20–15 Ma): the overriding Philippine Sea Plate was strongly deformed by continuous subduction, and thrust faults, volcanic activity, and possibly strike-slip faulting weakened the forearc areas; (3) initiation of strike-slip faults (~15–6 Ma): continuous rotation of the Philippine Sea Plate initiated strike-slip faults in the weak zones of the forearc areas; (4) pull-apart basin formation (~6–0 Ma): the pull-apart basin formed in the forearc due to sinistral movement of two sets of strike-slip faults. We propose an indentation-escape process involving coupling between the sinistral strike-slip faults in the Taiwan-Luzon area and dextral strike-slip faults in the East Asia continental margin, for the evolution of the eastern South China Sea Basin margin. • Oblique convergence between the Eurasian and the Philippine Sea plates. • Strike-slip faulting along the Manila subduction system. • A strike-slip pull-apart basin model proposed for the forearc basins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• An efficient genetic transformation method has established. • RNA interference vectors targeting the transcription factor MeGI were transformed into the hypocotyles and radicles. • The transformed seedlings exhibited dwarfed adventitious buds and narrower leaves. • Finally, 5 transformed plants were obtained, and the transformation rate was 5%. Persimmon (Diospyros) is an important genus of temperate fruit trees that originated in East Asia. High-efficiency genetic transformation in Diospyros spp. remains challenging, limiting studies of gene function and the use of modern technology, such as gene editing, in breeding programs. In this study, we established an efficient genetic transformation method based on the infection of hypocotyls and radicles obtained from immature D. oleifera seeds. In particular, we focused on optimising methods for infection and induction of calluses and adventitious buds. RNA interference vectors targeting the transcription factor MeGI , which has been reported to have a feminising effect, were transformed into the hypocotyls and radicles of D. oleifera , producing five positively transformed seedlings. Compared with the wild-type controls, the positively transformed seedlings exhibited dwarfed adventitious buds and narrower leaves. The phenotypic characteristics of the flowers of these positively transformed seedlings will be observed at a later date; this will not only confirm the function of MeGI in Diospyros spp. but also potentially induce the development of male floral buds in gynoecious species and further promote the development of breeding methods. The proposed genetic transformation protocol will be valuable for investigations into gene function and the development of persimmon breeding programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) exposure is associated with stroke incidence and mortality. However, the global distribution and trends of stroke burden and mortality attributable to PM 2.5 are rarely studied. We estimated the spatial patterns and temporal trends of PM 2.5 -attributable stroke burden in 195 countries and territories from 1990 to 2017. Detailed data on stroke burden attributable to PM 2.5 were extracted from the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) 2017. The numbers and age-standardized rates of stroke disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and mortality (ASDR and ASMR) were estimated by age, sex, subtype, region, and country. Temporal trends in ASDR and ASMR were analyzed using estimated annual percentage change (EAPC). Globally, in 2017, 10.5 million DALYs and 0.4 million deaths related to stroke were attributable to PM 2.5. The corresponding ASDR and ASMR increased with age, were highest in males and for intracerebral hemorrhage, and varied greatly across countries, with the largest burden in high-middle sociodemographic index (SDI) regions and East Asia. The global ASDR and ASMR decreased by 7.2% and 12.2% from 1990 to 2017, with EAPCs of −0.42 (95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.55, −0.28) and −0.57 (95% CI: -0.72, −0.42), respectively. Age-specific stroke burden rates declined significantly, except in the middle-aged population. The decrease was more pronounced in women and for subarachnoid hemorrhage, while proportions of ischemic stroke burden increased globally and in all SDI regions. Most geographic regions achieved significant declines in ASDR and ASMR since 1990; however, Asia and approximately 30% of countries and territories, especially in low-income countries, showed undesirable increasing trends. The patterns and trends were heterogeneous across countries. Strengthened and tailored approaches for stroke prevention and air pollution management are still needed to reduce the disease burden associated with PM 2.5 , particularly in males, middle-age populations, and low-income countries and for ischemic stroke. • Stroke burden attributable to PM 2.5 varied greatly across countries. • The age-standardized rate (ASR) of PM 2.5 -attributable stroke burden were decreased in most regions. • The reduction in the ASR was more pronounced in women and for subarachnoid hemorrhage. • Ischemic stroke burden attributable to PM 2.5 significantly increased since 1990. • Asia and about 30% of countries showed increased trends in ASR, especially in low-income countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]