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Polyhalogenated carbazoles (PHCZs) are a group of emerging organic pollutants attracting increasing concern. In this study, 32 sediment samples were collected from the Pearl River Estuary (PRE) and adjacent Daya Bay (DYB) in China and were investigated for the occurrence and distribution of PHCZs. Total concentration of sedimentary PHCZs (∑PHCZs) ranged from 0.79 to 3.08 ng/g in PRE and 0.89 to 1.95 ng/g in DYB, both containing 3,6-dichlorocarbazole as the main component. Higher concentrations of ∑PHCZs were found in the rivers-mouth and inner part of the PRE indicating their main origins from anthropogenic activities. Notably, concentrations of brominated carbazoles (BCZs) gradually increased offshore, which suggests the potential bio-transformation of BCZs under a saline environment. The toxic equivalent of PHCZs was estimated at 0.13–0.34 pg TEQ/g suggesting limited dioxin-like effects on local organisms. [Display omitted] • Polyhalogenated carbazoles are ubiquity in the Pearl River Estuary and Daya Bay. • The 3,6-dichlorocarbazole was predominant component in sediment. • Polyhalogenated carbazoles originated mainly from terrigenous sources. • The results suggest potential biotransformation of low-halogenated carbazoles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The affiliation of fossil pollen grains of Hamamelidaceae with extant genera is still a challenge for palynologists, probably due to the scarcity of pollen morphological documentation and comparison of Hamamelidaceae genera and species and their fossil counterparts. Parrotia once had a much wider geographical range during geological time according to fossil records, including macrofossils (e.g., plant leaves, and flowers) and microfossils (e.g., pollen). However, assigning fossil pollen of Parrotia is yet difficult regardless of some previous work available on pollen morphology. In this study, we present new results after intensive re-examination on the pollen morphology of Parrotia using light microscope (LM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM), aiming to assess pollen diagnostic features as a guide for fossil pollen recognition. We also compared the reticulum sculptures and nanoscale ornamentations on the muri around lumina for six genera in the tribes Fothergilleae with the representative genera from the neighboring tribes Hamamelideae and Eustigmatea. Hamamelidaceae fossil pollen types from Miocene sediments in southeastern China were examined and identified. We found that 1) pollen grains of Parrotia persica and P. subaequalis have significantly different dimensions of the length of lumen and density of lumina (numbers/10 μm2) under SEM, and the lengths of polar axis, equatorial axis, colpus, bottom side of polar view and height of polar view under LM, respectively; 2) the peculiarities of reticulum, microechinae on the muri and arrangement pattern under SEM are useful diagnostic features to differentiate pollen types of Fothergilleae groups down to genus level from two neighboring tribes; 3) two sister species of Parrotia show identifiable characteristics of reticulum and microechinae based on high resolution imaging with SEM, however, it should be noted that assigning fossil pollen to Fothergilleae still need caution, because of some similar looking close genera under LM; 4) inter- and intraspecific pollen variations need to be carefully considered, when identifying dispersed or fossil pollen grains of Parrotia under low resolution of LM imaging; 5) nanoscale structures based on high resolution imaging for pollen surface sculptures are important keys to distinguishing different fossil pollen types of Hamamelidaceae, including Parrotia. Most of fossil sites of Parrotia are concentrated in Europe-Eurasia and Japan in East Asia, but there are relatively fewer in China and America. To have an insight into the historical biogeography of Parrotia , the global fossil records of Parrotia were comprehensively reviewed and visualized in three large regions (northern American, Europe-Eurasia and East Asia). The palaeophytogeography of Parrotia in light of fossil pollen in East Asia is also generally discussed. Further investigations of the fossil record of Parrotia are expected prior to fully picturing its past phytogeography and species diversity through time, particularly some missing links during Pliocene and Quaternary in China. • Pollen morphology of two sister species of Parrotia were re-examined. • Nanoscale structures and density of lumina are useful diagnostic features. • Hamamelidaceae pollen types from Miocene sediments in SE China were identified. • A global fossil record of Parrotia was reviewed and visualized in three regions. • The historical biogeography of Parrotia is generally discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The Pianyanzi area in western Sichuan hosts a rare sellaite-bearing orogenic gold deposit. • Gold is mostly present as visible native gold formed in two stages. • Gold precipitation was forced by interaction between auriferous fluids and wall rocks. • Metasomatized mantle lithosphere served a potential source of ore fluids. The Pianyanzi gold deposit is situated at the western margin of the Yangtze Craton, and represents a rare sellaite-bearing orogenic gold deposit. This deposit belongs to the Dauduhe gold belt of southwestern China and remains poorly documented. In this paper we present first petrographic and in-situ geochemistrical and sulfur isotope data from pyrite as well as results of multielement mapping. The deposit is dominated by native gold (average gold fineness = 980.8) filling fractures in minerals (e.g., pyrite, quartz, sellaite and hematite) or also emplaced along the contact interface between mineral grains. Pyrite is the most abundant sulfide mineral of this deposit. We identified five generations of pyrite: Py1, Py2a, Py2b, Py3, and Py4. Gold occurs in sellaite- and hematite-bearing mineral assemblages formed simultaneous with the formation of Py2a&b and Py4, respectively. Py1 formed in the Au-poor ore stage, while Py3 formed during the late galena-dominated sulfide stage. All generations of pyrite exhibit low concentrations of gold with an average value of less than 2 ppm. Py2a&b possess distinctive textures and chemical zonation, with trace elements displaying greater variations compared to Py1, Py3 and Py4. The δ34S values vary from −0.52 ‰ to 7.08 ‰, which is consistent with those of orogenic deposits of the Daduhe gold belt. The deep metasomatized mantle lithosphere acted as a potential source of ore fluids. We conclude that the co-precipitation of native gold and sellaite was triggered by the interaction between auriferous fluids and dolomite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Annual declines in university students' physical health have an impact on social stability and the nation's long-term growth. Parenting style, which is crucial to a child's growth and development, may have a big influence on physical health. This study delves into the effects of different parenting styles on the physical fitness of Chinese college students under gender differences., Methods: Through random allocation and stratified sampling methods, this study comprehensively investigated 3,151 undergraduate students (male = 1,365; female = 1786) with an average age of 18.44 years (SD = 1.46), from a university in Jiangsu Province, China. Parenting styles of college students were evaluated by the Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI). Physical fitness tests were based on the Chinese National Student Physical Fitness Standards including body mass index, lung capacity, standing-long-jump, bent-leg-sit-up, seated forward bend, pull-ups, 50 m sprint, and 800/1,000 m run. Further investigations focused on the relationship between parenting styles and physical health by statistical analysis methods such as Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression., Results: Significant differences were identified in gender, family members, and academic majors in most of the correlation indicators between different parenting styles and physical health among college students. Further analysis showed that the parenting styles of democratic and authoritative mothers and democratic fathers were more conducive to the promotion of physical health among female university students. The combination of a democratic fathering style and a permissive mothering style is considered an ideal parenting model for male students., Conclusion: This study confirmed that different parenting styles have a significant impact on the physical health of college students. Positive parenting styles may improve physical health, while negative ones are likely to have adverse effects, especially among female students. It is also important to notice differentiated parenting styles with respect to male and female university students. Therefore, more attention should be raised on parenting styles to enhance physical health of the student population., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Liu, Li, Chang, Liang and Wang.)

Background: Screen time and physical activity behaviors undergo development during early childhood and impact mental health. However, there is limited knowledge regarding the associations between physical activity, screen time, and mental health problems (MHP) in preschoolers. This study examines these associations using a large sample size and brief measures., Methods: A multistage cluster stratified sampling method was used to conduct an observational cross-sectional study of 19,015 Chinese preschoolers in 2020. Information on physical activity, and screen time was collected by a self-administered questionnaire; MHP was assessed by the parent-reported Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Logistic regression models were used to obtain the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) of preschoolers' MHP associated with screen time, total physical activities, moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and outdoor physical activities., Results: A total of 19,015 participants from the 19,548 recruited population were included in the analyses (missing rate: 2.73%), 52.60% were boys. 64.01%, 57.96%, 35.98%, and 82.64% of preschoolers were reported to meet total physical activities, MVPA, and outdoor activities with screen time recommendations level. The results of multivariable-adjusted ORs (95% CIs) of preschoolers' MHP for comparisons of different levels of screen time (< 2 h/day, 2-4 h/day,≥4 h/day) show that screen time positively associated with MHP after adjusting for confounders (P < 0.05), but the association was not significant among girls with screen time ≥ 4 h/day. In addition, increased engagement in physical activity was reversely linked to MHP (P < 0.05). A stronger association between MHP and MVPA was observed in boys, however, this association was weakened when the total time spent engaging in MVPA exceeded two hours per day (P < 0.05)., Conclusion: Less physical activity and more screen time positively relate to MHP, but the relationship differs by type of physical activity, total time, and gender. These findings provide novel insights and evidence supporting for guidelines on physical activity, screen time, and improvement of mental health for preschoolers., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Purpose: To explore the predictive value of nutritional risk for all-cause death and functional outcomes among elderly acute stroke patients., Patients and Methods: A total of 479 elderly acute stroke patients were enrolled in this study. The nutritional risk of patients was screened by the GNRI and NRS-2002. The primary outcome was all-cause death, and the secondary outcome was poor prognosis defined as a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score ≥3., Results: Based on the NRS-2002, patients with nutritional risk had a higher risk of all-cause death at 3 months (adjusted OR: 3.642, 95% CI 1.046~12.689) and at 3 years (adjusted OR: 2.266, 95% CI 1.259~4.076) and a higher risk of adverse functional outcomes at 3 months (adjusted OR: 2.748, 95% CI 1.518~4.972. Based on the GNRI, compared to those without nutritional risk, patients with mild malnutrition also had a higher risk of all-cause death at 3 months (adjusted OR: 7.186, 95% CI 1.550~33.315) and at 3 years (adjusted OR: 2.255, 95% CI 1.211~4.199) and a higher risk of adverse functional outcomes at 3 months (adjusted OR: 1.947, 95% CI 1.030~3.680), so patients with moderate and severe malnutrition had a higher risk of all-cause death at 3 months (adjusted OR: 6.535, 95% CI 1.380~30.945) and at 3 years (adjusted OR: 2.498, 95% CI 1.301~4.799) and a higher risk of adverse functional outcomes at 3 months (adjusted OR: 2.213, 95% CI 1.144~4.279)., Conclusion: Nutritional risk increases the risk of poor short-term and long-term outcomes in elderly patients with acute stroke. For elderly stroke patients, we should pay attention to early nutritional risk screening, and effective intervention should be provided to improve the prognosis of such patients., Competing Interests: The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work., (© 2024 Cong et al.)