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Two rare three-dimensional metal-free perovskite materials [1,4-3.2.2-dabcn]NH4Br3 (1) and [1,4-3.2.2-dabcn]NH4I3·0.5H2O (2) exhibiting switchable phase transition, dielectric anomaly and the SHG effect.

Objective: To prepare docetaxel (DOC)-loaded methoxy polyethylene glycol-octacosanol (MPEG2K-Oct) micelles and evaluate the in vitro and in vivo antitumor activity. Methods: DOC/MPEG-Oct was prepared using the thin-film hydration method. The physicochemical property including size, zeta potential and drug release behavior were studies. The in vitro cytotoxicity and the in vivo antitumor activity were evaluated. Results: The prepared DOC/MPEG-Oct micelles had a small size, as well as high drug loading capacity and encapsulation efficiency. These micelles also performed a sustained and controllable in vitro drug release. Besides, they showed a good inhibiting effect of tumor growth both in vitro and in vivo. Conclusion: DOC/MPEG-Oct nanomicelles might be considered as a safe and efficient drug delivery system for DOC.

Two 3D organic–inorganic hybrid perovskite ferroelectrics [3.2.2-dabcn]RbX3 (X = Br for 1; X = I for 2) with Curie temperatures at 342 K and 293 K were designed and prepared by reaction of 1,5-diazabicyclo[3.2.2]nonane with RbX.

Caspase recruitment domain-containing protein 9 (CARD9) is an adaptor protein expressed on myeloid cells and located downstream of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), which transduces signals involved in innate immunity. CARD9 deficiency is associated with increased susceptibility to various fungal diseases. Increasing evidence shows that CARD9 mediates the activation of p38 MAPK, NF-κB, and NLRP3 inflammasome in various CVDs and then promotes the production of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, which contribute to cardiac remodeling and cardiac dysfunction in certain cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Moreover, CARD9-mediated anti-apoptosis and autophagy are implicated in the progression of CVDs. Here, we summarize the structure and function of CARD9 in innate immunity and its various roles in inflammation, apoptosis, and autophagy in the pathogenesis of CVDs. Furthermore, we discuss the potential therapies targeting CARD9 to prevent CVDs and raise some issues for further exploring the role of CARD9 in CVDs.

Haina Zhang,1 Lou Yu,2 Gai Yun3 1Department of General Medicine, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Pudong, Shanghai, 201399, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Preventive Treatment, Shanghai Seventh People’s Hospital, Shanghai, 200137, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of General Medicine, Seventh People’s Hospital of Shanghai University of TCM, Shanghai, 200137, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Gai Yun, Chief Physician, Department of General Medicine, Seventh People’s Hospital of Shanghai University of TCM, No. 358, Datong Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai, 200137, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86 13917898986, Email gaiyunlucky@163.comObjective: The study objective was to investigate the serum levels of Klotho in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who had moderate cognitive impairment (MCI) and those without MCI and to determine its prediction of MCI in older patients with T2DM.Methods: Patients with diabetes were examined for MCI in 292 cases (using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment: MoCA score). Biomarkers and biochemical parameter data were accumulated.Results: Comparing T2DM patients with MCI (91 patients) and without MCI (101 patients), patients with MCI considerably reduced serum Klotho levels were observed. In all 292 hospitalized patients, serum Klotho levels were negatively correlated with age (r=− 0.184, P=0.002), body mass index (BMI) (r=− 0.151, P=0.010), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) (r=− 0.197, P=0.001), creatinine (r=− 0.178, P=0.002), and C-reactive protein (CRP) (r=− 0.319, P< 0.001). On the other hand, it is positively correlated with education (r=0.319, P< 0.001) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (r=0.272, P< 0.001). Considering the findings of the multivariate logistic regression models, patients with type 2 diabetes who had reduced levels of serum Klotho (OR=0.987, 95% CI=0.980– 0.994; P< 0.001), lower HDL-C, increased levels of HbA1c, creatinine, and CRP, and limited years of formal education and a longer duration of T2DM, increase the risk of developing MCI.Conclusion: The results showed that diabetic patients with MCI have lower serum Klotho levels than diabetic patients without MCI. It might be possible to do a more extensive population-based prospective investigation to confirm the correlation between serum Klotho levels and cognitive impairment or dementia.Keywords: type 2 diabetes mellitus, T2DM, cognitive impairment, MCI, Klotho

Osteosarcoma is a highly aggressive cancer common in children and adolescents. There is still a lack of effective treatments for metastatic or recurrent osteosarcoma. The role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in osteosarcoma has gradually attracted attention. Here, we identified lncRNAs that were abnormally expressed in metastatic osteosarcoma through analyzing the sequencing data of osteosarcoma tissues and selected upregulated lncRNA MELTF-AS1 for detailed study. The qRT-PCR analysis showed that the expression of MELTF-AS1 was increased in osteosarcoma tissues and cells, and the high expression of MELTF-AS1 indicated a poor prognosis of osteosarcoma patients. The high expression of MELTF-AS1 in osteosarcoma was partly due to the transcriptional activation of RREB1. The results of transwell assays, scratch wound healing assays, and the tail vein injection lung metastasis model demonstrated that knocking down MELTF-AS1 inhibited metastasis ability of osteosarcoma cells. Furthermore, the results of RNA pull-down assays, luciferase reporter assays, and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assays revealed that MELTF-AS1 could regulate MMP14 expression through interaction with miR-485-5p. Our study suggested that MELTF-AS1 functioned as a pro-metastasis gene in osteosarcoma by upregulating MMP14 and that it could be a potential therapeutic and diagnostic target for osteosarcoma., Graphical abstract, lncRNAs play crucial roles in cancer metastasis. Ding et al. demonstrate that MELTF-AS1 acts as a pro-metastasis gene in osteosarcoma. They revealed that MELTF-AS1 was mainly located in cytoplasm and could increase MMP14 expression through acting as a molecular sponge for miR-485-5p.

The secondary salinization of soil in facility agriculture is becoming increasingly serious. Cucumber is a moderately salt-sensitive crop, but because of the weak root system and poor resistance to salt stress in cucumber seedlings, it is sensitive to the accumulation of salt in facility soils. Hydrogen, a selective antioxidant and signal molecule, is nontoxic and harmless, and can repair damage in plants under stress. Therefore, the aim of the present paper was to understand the specific mechanism by which hydrogen-rich water (HRW) alleviated salt stress in cucumber seedlings (Cucumis sativus L.). Our results showed that the addition of 50% saturation HRW significantly promoted seedling growth, development and photosynthetic efficiency. Pretreatment with HRW significantly alleviated salt stress symptoms, including the inhibition of fresh and dry weight, root length, lateral roots, and the root/shoot ratio of cucumber seedlings. Pretreatment with HRW increased the chlorophyll content, chlorophyll a/b ratio, and photochemical reaction efficiency, and reduced energy dissipation. These responses to HRW pretreatment were consistent with significant decreases in the superoxide anion, hydrogen peroxide, and malondialdehyde contents and the degree of lipid peroxidation, and increases in the activities of SOD, POD, CAT, APX and GR, and the contents of ASA and GSH in cucumber seedlings under salt stress. In addition, HRW pretreatment under salt stress inhibited the expression of the protein kinase ROP1, which promoted the production of reactive oxygen, but upregulated the protein kinase LecRLK. The transcription factor TGA5, which was involved in osmotic stress, ion stress and ROS clearance, and the expression of NHX1 and SOS2, which were parts of the SOS signaling pathway. HRW enhanced the expression of genes that encoded antioxidant enzymes, including SOD, CAT and POD, and the expressions of GR and APX2, which were key genes in the ASA-GSH cycle under salt stress. Taken together, these results suggested that HRW enhanced the active oxygen scavenging ability in cucumber seedlings, promoted the redox balance in cells, and reduced the degree of oxidative damage in plants under salt stress by reducing the content of active oxygen. Therefore, the application of HRW might be a promising strategy for improving salt stress tolerance in cucumber seedlings.

The recent years have witnessed an increasing number of manufacturers in developed markets pursuing service-led innovation to secure their sustainable growth and competitive positions. This study compares the manufacturing firm performance outcomes of two types of innovation activities in the value chain (i.e., service innovation and product innovativeness) contingent on institutional environment but in an aspirant market – China. To do so we conducted two studies: A secondary data study (Study 1) used a longitudinal panel dataset of 1,167 manufacturing firms and a robustness study (Study 2) used primary survey data from 171 manufacturing firms. Both studies offer consistent empirical results that in the dysfunctional competition environment, and in contrast to product innovativeness, service innovation is less effective for manufacturing performance but works more effectively for performance in the complicated institutional environment when government support and dysfunctional competition co-exist. The research contributes to the fields of aspirant markets and innovation by developing our understanding of the firm’s strategic responses pertaining to innovation in the context of a complicated institutional environment, the latter informed by structuration theory. The paper offers a fine-grained view to manufacturing innovation and provides the practical implications for managers and clear guidance to firms and governments in the aspirant markets in regards to innovation practice, strategy, and policy.

The emergence of (CH

The rigidity of traditional solid-state surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrate hampers their application in the curved structure for nonplanar surface test and in-situ detection. Traditionally, the flexible Raman substrates are often prepared by transferring printing of patterned nanoparticles on the flexible materials such as polymer, paper, etc. However，the replicate patterns are often produced by high-cost instruments. In this study, a low-cost and flexible SERS substrate is prepared by using a microcontact printing technology to transfer three-phase-assembled nanoparticles on a polydimethylsiloxane film, which can stabilize the assembled nanoparticles. Combining with the endonuclease Nt.BbvCI assisted amplification method, a SERS biosensor is constructed for microRNA 21 (miRNA 21) assay. This platform presents a wide dynamic range (100 fM ∼1 nM), achieving a fabulous sensitivity with limit of detection of 11.96 fM for miRNA 21. Furthermore, after being bent 90° for 50 times, the Raman intensity of the flexible substrate shows a negligible change. This versatile flexible substrate exhibits considerable potential for SERS analysis, which also opens a new avenue for preparing flexible devices.

Leaf senescence reduces the photosynthetic capacity of leaves, thus significantly affecting the growth, development, and yield formation of cotton. Melatonin (MT) is a multipotent substance proven to delay leaf senescence. However, its potential mechanism in delaying leaf senescence induced by abiotic stress remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the effect of MT on delaying drought-induced leaf senescence in cotton seedlings and to clarify its morphological and physiological mechanisms. Drought stress upregulated the leaf senescence marker genes, destroyed the photosystem, and led to excessive accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS, e.g., H2O2 and O2−), thus accelerating leaf senescence. However, leaf senescence was significantly delayed when 100 μM MT was sprayed on the leaves of the cotton seedlings. The delay was embodied by the increased chlorophyll content, photosynthetic capacity, and antioxidant enzyme activities, as well as decreased H2O2, O2−, and abscisic acid (ABA) contents by 34.44%, 37.68%, and 29.32%, respectively. MT significantly down-regulated chlorophyll degradation-related genes and senescence marker genes (GhNAC12 and GhWRKY27/71). In addition, MT reduced the chloroplast damage caused by drought-induced leaf senescence and maintained the integrity of the chloroplast lamellae structure under drought stress. The findings of this study collectively suggest that MT can effectively enhance the antioxidant enzyme system, improve photosynthetic efficiency, reduce chlorophyll degradation and ROS accumulation, and inhibit ABA synthesis, thereby delaying drought-induced leaf senescence in cotton.

Low mountainous areas provide high-quality ecological environments, offering a high urban development value globally. However, cold low mountainous areas are greatly affected by wind environments. Therefore, this study investigates a simulated block wind environment in a typical city in a cold low mountainous area. As opposed to previous work, we put forward the block spatial modes quantitatively for cold low mountainous areas. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) technology is used to simulate the wind environment of building blocks, including point-type high-rise buildings and row-type multi-story buildings. We propose a new targeted wind environment measurement system developed using PHOENICS 2018 and a spatial combination model using urban information sensing for sustainable development. By comparing the average wind speed (WAS) and calm wind area ratio (SCA) under different simulation conditions, we were able find that when the building form, slope direction, and slope were constant, WAS was inversely proportional to SCA, following the order of south slope > west slope > southwest slope > southeast slope. Second, proper selection of 1:2 and 1:3 ratios for point-type high-rise buildings (HPT) can provide good ventilation for cold low mountainous areas. In addition, continuous high-rise buildings should be avoided. These strategies have been applied in practice in the spatial design of the Lianhuashan tourist resort in Changchun. Possible optimization strategies for planners and governments could include promoting pedestrian spatial environments in these special areas. Moreover, this research is significant for the collection and mining of data-based wind information in cold low mountainous areas, thereby providing scientific quantitative evaluation methods and spatial organisation optimisation guidelines.

Lung cancer is one of the common types of malignant disorders and the most prevalent cause of cancer-related mortality in the world. Although a wide range of approaches has been examined, strategies in prevention and treatment of lung cancer are still inadequate. Studies show that Vitamin D (VitD) is involved in various biological pathways and has been associated with the etiopathogenesis of several diseases, like cancers. In Vitro and In Vivo experiments have disclosed that VitD plays immunomodulatory and anti-tumor functions. Several lines of evidence have indicated that VitD is involved in the inflammatory settings of the lung. Epidemiological studies have reported that sufficient levels of VitD might be critical in the prevention of lung cancer. Polymorphisms in the genes encoding the different molecules involved in the signaling of VitD might affect the lung cancer risk as well as the quality and quantity of responses to different treatments. In this review article, we intended to clarify the implications of VitD in the normal biology and physiology of the lung and discuss diverse line of evidence about the possible role of VitD in the prevention or treatment of lung cancer.

The characteristics of ground deformation induced by the excavation of underground orebodies are summarized based on an analysis of over 10 years of deformation data recorded in the eastern mining area of the Chengchao mine in China. These data are combined with laws governing the development of ground-surface cracking and collapse to study the corresponding failure mechanism. The results indicate that the ground deformation in most mining-affected areas increases at a low rate of acceleration. Furthermore, the displacement–time curves are exponential in nature (that is, the relationship between displacement and time can be expressed using an exponent). Curves representing the ratio of the horizontal: vertical displacement over time show different behaviors including convergence, fluctuation, increase, fall-back, exponential, and linear trends. The originally designed scope of the ground movement is significantly smaller than the scope of the actual ground movement suggested by the in situ deformation data (the difference in movement angle amounts to 18°; the difference in break angle to 20°). After rapidly decreasing in the initial mining stage, the break angle remained constant (~ 50°) for a long period of time. The surrounding rock mass conformed to a failure model in which the rock mass topples toward the mined-out area leading to failure surfaces being formed in the deep parts of the rock mass. The inclination angles of these failure surfaces are different in different excavation-affected areas. The excavation-affected area in which the failure surfaces occur can be viewed as a large-scale surface-cracking zone. Outside this zone, small-scale surface cracking can be observed and this area can be viewed as a small-scale surface-cracking zone. In the area investigated, the occurrence of ground movement that is significantly larger than predicted is attributed to the combined effect of engineering-geological conditions, hydrogeological conditions, and the burial depth and geometric configuration of the underground orebodies of the mine. More specifically, the surrounding rock mass is continuously subjected to large-scale unloading during the process of karst collapse (during the construction stage) and ground collapse (during the mining stage) of the mine. Then, the surrounding rock mass progressively undergoes toppling failure and becomes unstable, making the region subjected to ground movement progressively extend outwards.

Block-flexure toppling is the commonest type of failure in anti-dip bedding rock slopes. In this work, a new model called the force-transfer model (FTM) for this kind of failure is proposed, which is based on cantilever beams and limit equilibrium theory. A genetic algorithm (GA) was further employed to predict the safety factor and failure surface of the rock slope. A centrifuge test was also conducted to check the feasibility of using the combined FTM–GA method to model block-flexure toppling failure. The centrifugal results showed that a complex failure surface was produced in a slope undergoing block-flexure toppling. The failure surface is stepped and has a step height approximately equal to the spacing of the cross joints. Comparing these results with the theoretical ones shows that it is eminently feasible to use the FTM–GA method to analyze the stability of slopes liable to undergo block-flexure toppling failure. Moreover, the safety factor (i.e., failure load in the centrifugal test) and failure surface of the slope can be accurately determined using the new method. The newly proposed method can, therefore, be used as a theoretical tool for evaluating and designing anti-dip bedding rock slopes.

Block-flexure toppling failure is a widespread issue in natural and excavated rock slopes. The aim of this paper was to elucidate the failure mechanism of block-flexure toppling failure using a centrifuge model. The artificial rock and a slope model were prepared. A series of mechanical tests (i.e., uniaxial compression tests, direct shear tests, and three-point bending tests) were then conducted to research the properties of the artificial rock. Three kinds of measurement methods (laser displacement meters (LDMs), digital image correlation (DIC), and fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs)) were used to acquire detailed information on the deformation and failure process associated with block-flexure toppling failure. The results of our test show that block-flexure toppling failure occurs instantaneously and that the total failure surface is stepped. More explicitly, the preceding section of the failure surface is a flat plane perpendicular to the joints that dip steeply into the face in front of the slope crest. The rear of the failure surface begins to become stepped and the heights of the steps are mainly controlled by the spacing of cross joints. The deformation and failure zone can be divided into three subzones: a toppling failure zone, a crack zone, and a deformation zone. The tensile stress in the continuous columns shows a distribution that is similar to a triangle. That is, the value of the tensile stress on the top of each column is approximately zero and gradually increases with the burial depth of the column. The tensile stress in the columns at the back of the slope is less than that in the face of the slope.

A novel 3D grain-based model (3D-GBM) based on Voronoi tessellation technology is proposed and implemented into a three-dimensional particle flow code (PFC3D) to investigate the micromechanical properties of salt rock at the grain scale. Parameter calibration is performed for numerical test configurations with various microparameters matched with the macroresponses observed in laboratory experiments (e.g., uniaxial compression test, triaxial compression test, and the Brazilian splitting test). Verifications comparing the simulated results and laboratory tests indicate that the 3D-GBM provides an alternative and promising approach for efficiently reproducing the micromechanical behavior of crystalline salt rocks.

With the advancement of global economic integration, traditional trade barriers have been greatly reduced, and the marginal utility of tariff reductions on trade expansion has become weaker and weaker. Especially under the global value chain division of labor system, intermediate products and parts have undergone multiple cross-border trades. The cumbersome trade procedures will greatly increase trade costs and destroy the driving force of trade. After improving infrastructure and optimizing customs clearance procedures, with the improvement of convenience, more countries and enterprises can participate in the global division of labor. Considering the industry characteristics of high-tech manufacturing, this paper selects panel data of high-tech manufacturing from multiple sample countries and uses the panel data two-way fixed-effect model to empirically analyze the impact of a country’s trade facilitation level on the global value chain of high-tech manufacturing in a country. From the perspective of global value chain status, the improvement of a country’s level of trade facilitation can significantly promote the country’s high-tech manufacturing global value chain status. The level of foreign direct investment, the degree of opening to the outside world, the level of government public services, the level of human capital, and the R&D capability are all significantly positive at the 1% level, while the level of physical capital is significantly negative at the 1% level.

Directly reprocessing fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) gasoline in the FCC unit is a simple method for gasoline upgrading. The gasoline distillate is typically reprocessed in the main riser reactor (...

Liquid‒liquid interface self-assembly was recently proposed to be an efficient strategy for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) detection. Traditionally, most of the research focuses on the self-assembly of single morphology and homogeneous materials, which are susceptible to the rotation of materials in the liquid phase due to the interference of Brownian motion and the external environment, causing poor stability. In this work, we introduced ternary Ag-Au-SiO

We previously showed the development of cardiac remodeling (hypertrophy or fibrosis) in mice with either post-weaning high-fat diet (HFD, 60% kcal fat) feeding or exposure to chronic low-dose cadmium. Here, we determined whether whole-life exposure to environmentally relevant, low-dose cadmium affects the susceptibility of offspring to post-weaning HFD-induced cardiac pathologies and function. Besides, we also determined whether these effects are sex-dependent. Male and female mice were exposed to cadmium-containing (0, 0.5, or 5 parts per million [ppm]) drinking water before breeding; the pregnant mice and dams with offspring continually drank the same cadmium-containing water. After weaning, the offspring were continued on the same regime as their parents and fed either a HFD or normal fat diet for 24 weeks. Cardiac function was examined with echocardiography. Cardiac tissues were used for the histopathological and biochemical (gene and protein expression by real-time PCR and Western blotting) assays. Results showed a dose-dependent cadmium accumulation in the hearts of male and female mice along with decreased cardiac zinc and copper levels only in female offspring. Exposure to 5 ppm, but not 0.5 ppm, cadmium significantly enhanced HFD cardiac effects only in female mice, shown by worsened cardiac systolic and diastolic dysfunction (ejection fraction, mitral E-to-annular e' ratio), increased fibrosis (collagen, fibronectin, collagen1A1), hypertrophy (cardiomyocyte size, atrial natriuretic peptide, β-myosin heavy chain), and inflammation (intercellular adhesion molecule-1, tumor necrosis factor-α, plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1), compared to the HFD group. These synergistic effects were associated with activation of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) signaling pathway and increased oxidative stress, shown by 3-nitrotyrosine and malondialdehyde, along with decreased metallothionein expression. These results suggest that whole-life 5 ppm cadmium exposure significantly increases the susceptibility of female offspring to HFD-induced cardiac remodeling and dysfunction. The underlying mechanism and potential intervention will be further explored in the future.

This study draws on the institutional void and institutional support perspectives to examine the contingent effect of institutional environments on the relationship between corporate religiosity and individual entrepreneurial activity in the context of emerging markets. We employ a composite dataset that covers 7109 individuals in 69 major cities across 25 provinces in China. Our study provides convincing evidence that individuals with strong corporate religiosity may be disinclined to conduct entrepreneurial activity in corrupted markets, but are more likely to engage in entrepreneurship in well-developed markets (ones characterized by high levels of marketization). This study displays the interplay of both institutional void and institutional support with corporate religiosity in shaping individual behaviors.

Previous research has merely explored the positive relationship between cognitive diversity and creativity, but the potential negative side of cognitive diversity might also prevail and should be examined together with its positive side. To address this gap, our study, drawing on the categorization–elaboration model framework, explored both the positive and negative effects of cognitive diversity on creativity/innovation in a single model. Using data collected from 101 teams (including both team leaders and team members) in 10 Chinese manufacturing companies, we identified a dual pathway – namely, task reflexivity (i.e., positive pathway) and relationship conflict (i.e., negative pathway) – in the linkage of cognitive diversity and innovative work behaviour (i.e., IWB). Cognitive diversity encouraged IWB via the task reflexivity pathway, but impeded IWB via the relationship conflict pathway. We further demonstrated that perceived support for innovation moderated the relationships between cognitive diversity and task reflexivity/relationship conflict, with cognitive diversity more related to task reflexivity and less related to relationship conflict when perceived support for innovation was high. Moderated mediation effects also indicated that the positive indirect effect of cognitive diversity on IWB through task reflexivity existed only when support for innovation was high and that the negative indirect effect of cognitive diversity on IWB through relationship conflict occurred only when support for innovation was low.

The engineering geological and hydrogeological conditions in the eastern mining area of the Chengchao Iron Mine are analyzed in detail. The results are combined with the results of site investigations and in situ monitoring data, allowing the characteristics of the ground-surface collapse events to be summarized. The mechanism by which ground-surface collapse is induced by underground orebody extraction or de-watering activity was then investigated. The results show that the ground-surface in the mining areas experienced three collapse processes: karst collapse, mixed collapse, and mining-induced collapse. Karst-collapse sinkholes were found during the construction stage of the mine and are generally formed in the marble part of the marble–granite contact zone. These sinkholes show a ‘bead-on-a-string’ distribution, and lines connecting their centers are consistent with the strike of the marble. Such sinkholes are mainly formed due to changes in the dynamic conditions of groundwater caused by de-watering activity. Furthermore, the development level of the collapse mainly depends on the location and scale of the karst caves within the marble. Mixed collapse occurs in the initial mining stage and mainly results from the combined effect of underground orebody excavation and de-watering activity. Mining-induced ground-surface collapse pits mostly develop in the diorite and hornstone and generally show a zonal distribution along the strike of the orebodies from east to west. Mining-induced collapse occurs in the form of chimney caving. First, a caved pipe is formed where the rock masses above the caved zone are highly fractured. Then, the rock masses around the caved pipe gradually cave, and finally a large caved-zone is formed above the mined-out area. Mixed collapse is of particular interest as it is a peculiar type of subsidence involving the superposition of collapse processes related to both mining and karst cavities, and it can provide some instructive insight into the collapsing behavior of the ground-surface.

Maternal exposure to cadmium causes obesity and metabolic changes in the offspring, including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease-like pathology. However, whether maternal cadmium exposure accelerates liver cancer in the offspring is unknown. This study investigated the impact of early-life exposure to cadmium on the incidence and potential mechanisms of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in offspring subjected to postweaning HCC induction. HCC in C57BL/6J mice was induced by diethylnitrosamine (DEN) injection at weaning, followed by a long-term high-fat choline-deficient (HFCD) diet. Before weaning, liver cadmium levels were significantly higher in mice with early-life cadmium exposure than in those without cadmium exposure. However, by 26 and 29 weeks of age, hepatic cadmium fell to control levels, while a significant decrease was observed in copper and iron in the liver. Both male and female cadmium-exposed mice showed increased body weight compared to non-cadmium-treated mice. For females, early-life cadmium exposure also worsened insulin intolerance but did not significantly promote DEN/HFCD diet-induced liver tumors. In contrast, in male mice, early-life cadmium exposure enhanced liver cancer induction by DEN/HFCD with high incidence and larger liver tumors. The liver peritumor tissue of early-life cadmium-exposed mice exhibited greater inflammation and disruption of fatty acid metabolism, accompanied by higher malondialdehyde and lower esterified triglyceride levels compared to mice without cadmium exposure. These findings suggest that early-life exposure to low-dose cadmium accelerates liver cancer development induced by a DEN/HFCD in male mice, probably due to chronic lipotoxicity and inflammation caused by increased uptake but decreased consumption of fatty acids.