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Large-scale and multi-sample datasets have revealed that microbial diversity and geographic distribution patterns are distinct across various habitats, particularly between hydrothermal vent and cold seep ecosystems. To date, our understanding of the effects of spatial and geochemical gradients on marine microbial communities remains limited. Here, we report the microbial diversity and metabolic versatility of a remote seafloor sediment ecosystem at different sites (GC-2, -4, -5, -6, -8) in the Mid-Okinawa Trough (Mid-OT) using high-throughput metagenomic sequencing technology. Desulfobacteraceae (3.1%) were detected in a high abundance at GC-2 with intense methane concentrations (353 μL/L), which showed a clear correlation with cold seeping. Whereas Candidatus Brocadiaceae (1.7%), Rhodobacteraceae (0.9%), and Rhodospirillaceae (0.7%), which are commonly involved in denitrification and sulfur oxidation, were enriched at GC-8. Concurrently investigating the potential of deep-sea microbial metabolism, we gained insights into the adaptive capabilities and metabolic mechanisms of microorganisms within seafloor environments. Utilizing the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database, the analysis of functional modules revealed a significant enrichment (71–74%) of genes associated with metabolic pathways. These results expand our knowledge of the relationship between microbial biodiversity and metabolic versatility in deep-sea extreme environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Through extensive data research and analysis, this paper comprehensively summarizes the status and key insights of global carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS) development. It aims to gain a comprehensive understanding of the relevant policies, technologies, and security measures adopted by major countries in their CCS development processes. Furthermore, it explores the existing status and limitations of China's offshore development efforts, while providing valuable recommendations for enhancing China's offshore CCS initiatives, as well as serving as a reference for other nations worldwide. Offshore CCS plays a crucial role for China to achieve the development target of carbon peak and carbon neutrality, due to its energy structure and industrial distribution. While China possesses significant offshore CCS potential, achieving commercialization still requires substantial efforts. To facilitate the process and draw insights from successful experiences in other countries, this paper illustrates the characteristics and generalizes the experience of offshore CCS industry practices in America, Europe and Japan, respectively. Furthermore, it is recommended that a new round of investigation into offshore CCS potential be conducted, while promoting integrated collaboration between geological surveying and marine scientific research. Additionally, further research on industrial policies and green financial strategies should be undertaken. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shale gas resource is heterogeneously distributed in Permian Gufeng Formation in the Xuancheng area, Anhui Province. This research aims to investigate the pore size distribution of the Permian Gufeng shales via 16 core samples analyses, combined with x‐ray diffraction, low‐pressure nitrogen gas adsorption (N2‐GA), CO2 gas adsorption (CO2‐GA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). N2‐GA shows that the nanopores (diameter < 10 nm) are dominated and developed in the samples. The Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) specific surface area (SSA) of the samples ranges from 6.7051 to 29.4384 m2/g, with a mean of 16.0931 m2/g. CO2‐GA results illustrate that micropore is well developed, especially the pores with a diameter of 0.5–0.6 and 0.8 nm. The total organic carbon (TOC) content of the Gufeng shale ranges from 0.42% to 12.82% with an average content of 6.44%, which has both positive correlation with pore SSA and pore volume, while carbonate mineral content has a positive correlation with pore SSA and the volume of macropore and mesopore. Clay mineral content is a negative correlation with pore SSA and micropore volume. Therefore, the high‐maturity Permian Gufeng shale could be more preferential high‐quality gas shale reservoir for further exploration and development in the Xuancheng area, which has more than 4% TOC content, relatively higher carbonate mineral content and relatively lower clay mineral content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cells are highly radiosensitive. Historically, the main modality for NPC has been radiotherapy. Now, to explore a novel and more effective approach to NPC therapy, a combined strategy of suicide gene and radiation was developed. The yeast CDglyTK (yCDglyTK) gene controlled by a synthetic CMV-enhanced Egr-1 promoter (CE) was constructed whose expression in NPC CNE-2 cells was detected by Western Blot. The cytotoxicity of the combined radio-gene therapy was assayed by MTT. The conversion rate of 5-FC to 5-FU in vitro and the bio-distribution of 5-FU in vivo were determined by HPLC. An animal study in which yCDglyTK-expressing CNE-2 tumors were treated with 5-FC and radiation was also conducted. The results reveal that yCDglyTK is expressed in CNE-2 cells, the CEyCDglyTK/5-FC system has a potent anti-tumor action in NPC, and the radio-sensitization of Egr-1 promoter plays a key role in the killing of CNE-2 cells and in the conversion of 5-FC to 5-FU. Moreover, the treated tumors regressed significantly, and a significant difference of tumor volumes was observed between the CEyCDglyTK+5-FC+radiation group and the other four groups (P<0.05). The results also showed that suicide gene therapy and radiation have a synergic anti-tumor effect on NPC, and the combined strategy of radio-gene therapy is of great potential as a substitute for the traditional method, radiation alone, in NPC therapies.