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Green tea residues are the by-product of tea processing and they contain a large number of bioactive ingredients. Steam explosion has been recognized as one of the most innovative pretreatments for modifying the physicochemical characteristic of polysaccharides from lignocellulosic materials. However, the comparison of biological activity of steam exploded (SE-GTR) and unexploded (UN-GTR) green tea residue polysaccharides was still unclear, which prompted the determination of the efficacy of steam explosion in tea residue resource utilization. In this study, the effects of two extracted polysaccharides UN-GTR and SE-GTR on human gut microbiota in vitro fermentation were conducted. The results showed that after steam explosion pretreatment, SE-GTR displayed more loose and porous structures, resulting in higher polysaccharide content (2483.44±0.5 μg/mg) compared to UN-GTR (1903.56±2.6 μg/mg). In addition, after 24 h fermentation, gut microbiota produced more beneficial metabolites by SE-GTR. The largest SCFAs produced among samples was acetic acid, propionic acid and butyric acid. Furthermore, SE-GTR could regulate the composition and diversity of microbial community, increasing the abundance of beneficial bacteria, such as Bifidobacterium. These results revealed that steam explosion pretreatment could be a promising and efficient approach to enhance the antioxidant activity and bioavailability of polysaccharides isolated from tea residues., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) includes cardiovascular risk factors like obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and glucose intolerance, which increase the risk of overactive bladder (OAB), characterized by urgency, frequency, urge incontinence, and nocturia. Both MetS and ovarian hormone deficiency (OHD) are linked to bladder overactivity. Nitric oxide (NO) is known to reduce inflammation and promote healing but its effect on bladder overactivity in MetS and OHD is unclear. This study aimed to investigate NO's impact on detrusor muscle hyperactivity in rats with MetS and OHD. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into seven groups based on diet and treatments involving L-arginine (NO precursor) and L-NAME (NOS inhibitor). After 12 months on a high-fat, high-sugar diet with or without OVX, a cystometrogram and tracing analysis of voiding behavior were used to identify the symptoms of detrusor hyperactivity. The MetS with or without OHD group had a worse bladder contractile response while L-arginine ameliorated bladder contractile function. In summary, MetS with or without OHD decreased NO production, reduced angiogenesis, and enhanced oxidative stress to cause bladder overactivity, mediated through the NF-kB signaling pathway, whereas L-arginine ameliorated the symptoms of detrusor overactivity and lessened oxidative damage via the NRF2/HIF-1α signaling pathway in MetS with or without OHD-induced OAB.

Objective: To investigate the risk factors of postoperative delirium in elderly patients undergoing spine surgery., Methods: The basic case data of 566 patients who underwent spine surgery under general anesthesia from January 2021 to January 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 296 males and 270 females with an average age of (71.58 ± 4.21) years old. There were 195 cases of cervical spine surgery, 26 cases of thoracic spine surgery and 345 cases of lumbar spine surgery.According to the occurrence of postoperative delirium, the patients were divided into postoperative delirium group(41 patients) and non-delirium group (525 patients). Univariate analysis was used to analyze the possible influencing factors such as gender, age, weight, smoking history, drinking history, surgical site, preoperative anxiety, intraoperative hypotension times, blood loss and so on, and binary Logistic regression was used to analyze the univariate factors with P <0.05., Results: A total of 41 patients developed postoperative delirium. Univariate analysis showed that age ( P =0.000), duration of surgery ( P =0.039), preoperative anxiety ( P =0.001), blood loss ( P =0.000), history of opioid use ( P =0.003), history of stroke ( P =0.005), C-reactive protein ( P =0.000), sodium ion( P =0.000) were significantly different between delirium group and non-delirium group. These factors were included in the binary Logistic regression analysis, and the results showed that age [ OR =0.729, 95% CI (0.569, 0.932), P =0.012], opioid use [ OR =21.500, 95% CI (1.334, 346.508), P =0.031], blood loss [ OR =0.932, 95% CI (0.875, 0.993), P =0.029], C-reactive protein [ OR =0.657, 95% CI (0.485, 0.890), P =0.007], preoperative anxiety [ OR =23.143, 95% CI (1.859, 288.090), P =0.015], and sodium [ OR =1.228, 95% CI (1.032, 1.461), P =0.020] were independent risk factors for the development of delirium after spinal surgery in elderly patients., Conclusion: Age, opioid use, blood loss, preoperative anxiety, elevated c-reactive protein, and hyponatremia are independent risk factors for the development of postoperative delirium in elderly patients undergoing spinal surgery.

This study explores low-intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy (LiESWT)'s efficacy in alleviating detrusor hyperactivity with impaired contractility (DHIC) induced by ovarian hormone deficiency (OHD) in ovariectomized rats. The rats were categorized into the following four groups: sham group; OVX group, subjected to bilateral ovariectomy (OVX) for 12 months to induce OHD; OVX + SW4 group, underwent OHD for 12 months followed by 4 weeks of weekly LiESWT; and OVX + SW8 group, underwent OHD for 12 months followed by 8 weeks of weekly LiESWT. Cystometrogram studies and voiding behavior tracing were used to identify the symptoms of DHIC. Muscle strip contractility was evaluated through electrical-field, carbachol, ATP, and KCl stimulations. Western blot and immunofluorescence analyses were performed to assess the expressions of various markers related to bladder dysfunction. The OVX rats exhibited significant bladder deterioration and overactivity, alleviated by LiESWT. LiESWT modified transient receptor potential vanilloid (TRPV) channel expression, regulating calcium concentration and enhancing bladder capacity. It also elevated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress proteins, influencing ER-related Ca 2+ channels and receptors to modulate detrusor muscle contractility. OHD after 12 months led to neuronal degeneration and reduced TRPV1 and TRPV4 channel activation. LiESWT demonstrated potential in enhancing angiogenic remodeling, neurogenesis, and receptor response, ameliorating DHIC via TRPV channels and cellular signaling in the OHD-induced DHIC rat model.

Dry eye disease (DED) is a prevalent ocular disorder with a multifactorial etiology. The pre-angiogenic and pre-inflammatory milieu of the ocular surface plays a critical role in its pathogenesis. DZ2002 is a reversible type III S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase (SAHH) inhibitor, which has shown excellent anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive activities in vivo and in vitro. In this study, we evaluated the therapeutic potential of DZ2002 in rodent models of DED. SCOP-induced dry eye models were established in female rats and mice, while BAC-induced dry eye model was established in female rats. DZ2002 was administered as eye drops (0.25%, 1%) four times daily (20 μL per eye) for 7 or 14 consecutive days. We showed that topical application of DZ2002 concentration-dependently reduced corneal neovascularization and corneal opacity, as well as alleviated conjunctival irritation in both DED models. Furthermore, we observed that DZ2002 treatment decreased the expression of genes associated with angiogenesis and the levels of inflammation in the cornea and conjunctiva. Moreover, DZ2002 treatment in the BAC-induced DED model abolished the activation of the STAT3-PI3K-Akt-NF-κB pathways in corneal tissues. We also found that DZ2002 significantly inhibited the proliferation, migration, and tube formation of human umbilical endothelial cells (HUVECs) while downregulating the activation of the STAT3-PI3K-Akt-NF-κB pathway. These results suggest that DZ2002 exerts a therapeutic effect on corneal angiogenesis in DED, potentially by preventing the upregulation of the STAT3-PI3K-Akt-NF-κB pathways. Collectively, DZ2002 is a promising candidate for ophthalmic therapy, particularly in treating DED., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Chinese Pharmacological Society.)

A series of activated biochar (KBBC-700, KBBC-800 and KBBC-900) which were modified by KOH and pyrolysis at various temperatures from ball-milling bamboo powder were obtained. The physicochemical properties and pore structures of activated biochar were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), fourier transform infrared spectoscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and N 2 adsorption/desorption. The adsorption performance for the removal of methylene blue (MB) was deeply studied. The results showed that KBBC-900 obtained at activation temperature of 900 °C exhibited a great surface area which reached 562 m 2 /g with 0.460 cm 3 /g of total pore volume. The enhancement of adsorption capacity could be ascribed to the increase of surface oxygen-containing functional groups, aromatization and mesoporous channels. The adsorption capacity was up to 67.46 mg/g under the optimum adsorption parameters with 2 g/L of adsorbent dose, 11 of initial solution pH and 298 K of the reactive temperature. The adsorption capacity was 70.63% of the first time after the material was recycled for three cycles. The kinetics indicated that the adsorption equilibrium time for MB on KBBC-900 was of about 20 min with the data fitted better to the pseudo-second-order kinetics model. The adsorption process was mainly dominated by chemical adsorption. Meanwhile, the adsorption isotherm showed that the Langmuir model fitted the best, and thermodynamic parameters revealed that the adsorption reaction was the endothermic nature and the spontaneous process. Adsorption of MB mainly attributed to electrostatic interactions, cation-π electron interaction and redox reaction. This study suggested that the activated biochar obtained by KOH activation from bamboo biochar has great potentials in the practical application to remove MB from wastewater., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Postmenopausal women who have ovary hormone deficiency (OHD) may experience urological dysfunctions, such as overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms. This study used a female Sprague Dawley rat model that underwent bilateral ovariectomy (OVX) to simulate post-menopause in humans. The rats were treated with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) or platelet-poor plasma (PPP) after 12 months of OVX to investigate the therapeutic effects of PRP on OHD-induced OAB. The OVX-treated rats exhibited a decrease in the expression of urothelial barrier-associated proteins, altered hyaluronic acid (hyaluronan; HA) production, and exacerbated bladder pathological damage and interstitial fibrosis through NFƘB/COX-2 signaling pathways, which may contribute to OAB. In contrast, PRP instillation for four weeks regulated the inflammatory fibrotic biosynthesis, promoted cell proliferation and matrix synthesis of stroma, enhanced mucosal regeneration, and improved urothelial mucosa to alleviate OHD-induced bladder hyperactivity. PRP could release growth factors to promote angiogenic potential for bladder repair through laminin/integrin-α6 and VEGF/VEGF receptor signaling pathways in the pathogenesis of OHD-induced OAB. Furthermore, PRP enhanced the expression of HA receptors and hyaluronan synthases (HAS), reduced hyaluronidases (HYALs), modulated the fibroblast-myofibroblast transition, and increased angiogenesis and matrix synthesis via the PI3K/AKT/m-TOR pathway, resulting in bladder remodeling and regeneration.

In this study, we extracted the polysaccharides from Hizikia fusiforme (HFPs) and evaluated their effects on the immune response of the mud crab Scylla paramamosain. Compositional analysis revealed that HFPs were composed mainly of mannuronic acid (49.05%) and fucose (22.29%) as sulfated polysaccharides, and the sugar chain structure was β-type. These results indicated that HFPs have potential antioxidant and immunostimulation activity in vivo or in vitro assays. Through this research, we found that HFPs inhibited viral replication in white spot syndrome virus (WSSV)-infected crabs and promoted phagocytosis of Vibrio alginolyticus by hemocytes. Quantitative PCR results showed that HFPs up-regulated the expression levels of astakine, crustin, myosin, MCM7, STAT, TLR, JAK, CAP, and p53 in crab hemocytes. HFPs also promoted the activities of superoxide dismutase and acid phosphatase and the hemolymph antioxidant activities of crabs. HFPs maintained peroxidase activity after WSSV challenge, thereby providing protection against oxidative damage caused by the virus. HFPs also promoted apoptosis of hemocytes after WSSV infection. In addition, HFPs significantly enhanced the survival rate of WSSV-infected crabs. All results confirmed that HFPs improved the innate immunity of S. paramamosain by enhancing the expression of antimicrobial peptides, antioxidant enzyme activity, phagocytosis, and apoptosis. Therefore, HFPs have potential for use as therapeutic or preventive agents to regulate the innate immunity of mud crabs and protect them against microbial infection., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Inspired by insect compound eyes (CEs) that feature unique optical schemes for imaging, there has recently been growing interest in developing optoelectronic CE cameras with comparable size and functions. However, considering the mismatch between the complex 3D configuration of CEs and the planar nature of available imaging sensors, it is currently challenging to reach this end. Here, we report a paradigm in miniature optoelectronic integrated CE camera by manufacturing polymer CEs with 19~160 logarithmic profile ommatidia via femtosecond laser two-photon polymerization. In contrast to μ-CEs with spherical ommatidia that suffer from defocusing problems, the as-obtained μ-CEs with logarithmic ommatidia permit direct integration with a commercial CMOS detector, because the depth-of-field and focus range of all the logarithmic ommatidia are significantly increased. The optoelectronic integrated μ-CE camera enables large field-of-view imaging (90°), spatial position identification and sensitive trajectory monitoring of moving targets. Moreover, the miniature μ-CE camera can be integrated with a microfluidic chip and serves as an on-chip camera for real-time microorganisms monitoring. The insect-scale optoelectronic μ-CE camera provides a practical route for integrating well-developed planar imaging sensors with complex micro-optics elements, holding great promise for cutting-edge applications in endoscopy and robot vision., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Bamboo contains abundant hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin, which are a high-quality insoluble dietary fiber (IDF) raw material. To investigate IDF- induced changes in the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and the composition of human gut microbiota, IDF was extracted by alkaline hydrogen peroxide (named BIDF), complex enzymatic hydrolysis method (named OIDF) from bamboo, and commercial bamboo fiber BF90. The in vitro fecal fermentation characteristics of BIDF, OIDF, BF90 and its impacts on human gut microbiota were studied for the first time. Results showed that BIDF, OIDF, and BF90 could promote the production of total SCFAs after 24 h fermentation. Additionally, BIDF could alter the composition and microbial diversity of gut microbiota, especially increase the relative abundance of Bacteroides and decrease the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes (F/B) value. These results revealed that the IDF from bamboo could be partially utilized by specific bacteria in human intestines and provide a reference for the study of the effects of IDF fermentation on SCFAs production and microbial composition., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Self-healing materials (SHMs) with unique mechanical and electronic properties are promising for self-reparable electronics and robots. However, the self-healing ability of emerging two-dimensional (2D) materials, for instance, MXenes, has not been systematically investigated, which limits their applications in self-healing electronics. Herein, we report the homogeneous self-healing assembly (homo-SHA) of MXene and the heterogeneous self-healing assembly (hetero-SHA) of MXene and graphene oxide (GO) under moisture treatments. The self-healing mechanism has been attributed to the hydration induced interlayer swelling of MXene and GO and the recombination of hydrogen bond networks after water desorption. The multiform hetero-SHA of MXene and GO not only enables facile fabrication of free-standing soft electronics and robots, but also endows the resultant devices with damage-healing properties. As proof-of-concept demonstrations, free-standing soft electronic devices including a generator, a humidity sensor, a pressure sensor, and several robotic devices have been fabricated. The hetero-SHA of MXene and GO is simple yet effective, and it may pioneer a new avenue to develop miniature soft electronics and robots based on 2D materials., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Science China Press. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: To study the molecular epidemiological characteristics of the virus in children with acute viral diarrhea in Changdu of Tibet, China., Methods: Fecal specimens were collected from 96 children with acute diarrhea who visited the People's Hospital of Changdu, Tibet, from November 2018 to November 2020 and were tested for adenovirus, norovirus, astrovirus, sapovirus, and rotavirus. Gene sequencing was performed for the genotypes of these viruses., Results: The overall positive rate of the five viruses was 39% (37/96), among which astrovirus had the highest positive rate of 17%, followed by norovirus (9%), rotavirus (8%), adenovirus (7%), and sapovirus (5%). There was no significant difference in the positive rate of the five viruses among different age groups ( P >0.05). Only the positive rate of astrovirus was significantly different among the four seasons ( P <0.05). For adenovirus, 6 children had F41 type and 1 had C2 type; for norovirus, 6 had GⅠ.3 type, 1 had GⅠ.7 type, 1 had GⅡ.3 type, and 2 had GⅡ.4 Sydney&#95;2012 type; HAstrV-1 type was observed in all children with astrovirus infection; for sapovirus, 1 child each had sporadic GⅠ.2, GⅠ.6, and GⅡ.1 sapovirus and 2 children had unknown type; 6 children had rotavirus G9[P8]., Conclusions: Astrovirus and norovirus are important pathogens in children with acute diarrhea in Changdu, Tibet. The positive rate of adenovirus, norovirus, astrovirus, sapovirus, and rotavirus is not associated with age, and only the positive rate of astrovirus has obvious seasonality. F41 type is the dominant genotype of adenovirus; GⅠ.3 is the dominant genotype of norovirus; HAstrV-1 is the dominant genotype of astrovirus; sporadic GⅠ.2, GⅠ.6, and GⅡ.1 are the dominant genotypes of sapovirus; G9[P8] is the dominant genotype of rotavirus.

A number of iron ore deposits and occurrences are distributed along the southeastern China coast, and they constitute an important Fe metallogenic belt in South China. However, the genesis of this belt remains poorly understood. Here, we present in situ U–Pb laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) ages of garnet from three Fe skarn deposits (Makeng, Luoyang, and Yangshan) to constrain the timing and the genesis of the Fe mineralization. Electron microprobe analyses of garnet in association with magnetite indicate a composition within the grossular-andradite solid solution series. Garnet from two Fe skarn ore samples in the Makeng deposit (430 Mt @ 41.60% Fe) in the western part of the belt yielded two U–Pb ages of 132.9 ± 0.9 Ma and 131.4 ± 1.2 Ma, respectively. Garnet from the Luoyang Fe skarn deposit (14.4 Mt @ 42.44%Fe) in the middle part of the belt yielded ages of 130.7 ± 0.7 Ma and 131.8 ± 1.4 Ma, and garnet from two ore samples in the Yangshan Fe deposit (37.1 Mt @ 42.82% Fe) in the eastern part of the belt yielded similar U–Pb ages of 130.0 ± 1.2 Ma and 132.8 ± 0.9 Ma. The consistent ore-formation ages, similar geological characteristics, and close spatial distribution of these Fe skarn deposits indicate that they constitute a newly recognized ca. 130 Ma Fe skarn metallogenic belt in South China. The garnet ages are in general agreement with the crystallization ages of their associated granitic rocks. The ca. 130 Ma iron skarn belt at the southeastern China coast formed simultaneously and in parallel NE-trending alignment with the Handan-Xingtai Fe skarn deposits in the central North China craton and the Middle-Lower Yangtze River Valley (MLYRV) iron-oxide apatite (IOA) and skarn deposits at the northeastern margin of Yangtze Craton in the northern part of Eastern China. Together, these three ca. 130 Ma Fe metallogenic belts in eastern China constitute an important component of the Cretaceous post-subduction tectono-magmatic Cu–Au–Mo–Sn–W–Fe metallogeny along the eastern Asian continental margin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geophysical exploration techniques play a pivotal role in enhancing the accuracy of mineral prospecting predictions. However, relying solely on individual methods often introduces uncertainties. This study presents a case study from the Yongxin gold deposit, where we integrated audio-frequency magnetotelluric (AMT) methods with gravimetric surveying and high-resolution magnetic profiling to overcome this challenge. Advanced three-dimensional modeling techniques were utilized to precisely delineate lithological variations and deep-seated mineralization features inherent to the area. The inversion and interpretation of cross-sectional AMT data provided insights into the subsurface structure down to a depth of 1.5 km. This enhanced data reliability was achieved through an integrated interpretation constrained by multiple datasets, enabling a more accurate inference of the deeper geological framework. Furthermore, by amalgamating various datasets, we uncovered characteristics of deep mineralization, the three-dimensional configuration of mineralization-related rock masses, and the spatial orientation of known ore deposits. This holistic approach facilitated a comprehensive understanding of the deeper geological formations. A detailed analysis of ore-controlling structures and exploration markers led to the development of a tailored geological-geophysical model for mineral exploration within the study area, serving as a valuable reference for future deep exploration efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complex geological architecture, complicated dynamics processes and nonlinear association in mineral systems are the major intrinsic hindrances to predictive mineral exploration. For effectively overcoming such difficulties to achieve credible prediction, 3D geological modeling, numerical dynamics simulation (NDS) and machine learning (ML) were applied to characterize the complex geological architecture, to replay the complicated dynamics processes and to predict mineralization-favor spaces by extracting nonlinear association of multi-features with mineralization in the Dongguashan orefield. The method of SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) was used to explain the correlations between different features and mineralization in the predictive model. The results of the 3D geological modeling revealed that the orebodies are unevenly distributed around the intrusion and closely related to the features of the intrusion's contact zone and wall rocks. The 3D distribution of resistivity can provide some evidence to infer underground geological architecture rather than a threshold to separate orebodies from wall rocks. The NDS results showed that dilation zones developed around the intrusion and within some beds, being closely associated with the known orebodies. By applying the most popular ML algorithm, random forest, and combining different geological, geophysical and dynamics features as evidence variables, eight ML models were run to predict potential orebodies. The predictive model performance on the test samples indicates that the integration of dynamics evidence with geological evidence significantly improves the predictive capacity of the ML model. The SHAP values demonstrate that volumetric strain is the most important feature, while the inclination of the contact zone has the greatest positive contribution to the predictions. The SHAP values of variable interactions indicate that complex intrusion contact zones and low-pressure, high-dilation areas are closely related to mineralization. The 3D ML prediction evidenced synthetically by geological, geophysical and geodynamical features demonstrates that there are substantial potential ores at depth of the northern east and southern east parts of the orefield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unraveling the precise mineralization age is vital to understand the geodynamic setting and ore-forming mechanism of the sediment-hosted Pb-Zn deposit; this has long been a challenge. The Sichuan-Yunnan-Guizhou (SYG) triangle in the southwestern margin of the Yangtze Block is a globally recognized carbonate-hosted Pb-Zn metallogenic province and also an essential part of the South China low-temperature metallogenic domain. This region has > 30 million tons (Mt) Zn and Pb resources and shows the enrichment of dispersed metals, such as Ga, Ge, Cd, Se, and Tl. During the past 2 decades, abundant data on mineralization ages of Pb-Zn deposits within the SYG triangle have been documented based on various radioisotopic dating methods, resulting in significant progress in understanding the geodynamic background and ore formation of Pb-Zn deposits hosted in sedimentary rocks at SYG triangle. This paper provides a comprehensive summary of the geochronological results and Pb-Sr isotopic data regarding Pb-Zn deposits in the SYG triangle, which identified two distinct Pb-Zn mineralization periods influencing the dynamic processes associated with the expansion and closure of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean in the western margin of the Yangtze Block. The predominant phase of Pb-Zn mineralization at SYG triangle spanned from the Middle Triassic to Early Jurassic (226–191 Ma), which was intensely correlated with the large-scale basin fluid transport triggered by the closure of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean and Indosinian orogeny. The secondary Pb-Zn mineralization phase occurred during the Late Devonian to Late Carboniferous and was controlled by extensional structures associated with the expansion of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean. Further investigation is necessary to clarify the occurrence and potential factors involved in the Pb-Zn mineralization events during the Late Devonian to Late Carboniferous. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Guanfang large-scale W deposit is located in the W polymetallic ore concentration area of Bozhushan in southeastern Yunnan, China. Despite extensive research, the fluid evolution process of the deposit remains ambiguous, leading to controversy regarding its genesis. This study conducted a detailed field geological survey, with systematic sampling of the KT6 orebody, to delineate mineralization stages. Fine mineralogy work, including the use of CL images of scheelite, in-situ LA-ICP-MS trace elements, and Sr isotopes, was carried out on different generations of scheelite formed in various stages. The findings identified the evolution of fluids in the mineralization process, shedding light on the genesis of the deposit. The study revealed four mineralization stages at the Guanfang W deposit: prograde skarn stage, retrograde skarn stage, quartz-sulfide stage, and carbonate-fluorite stage. Different generations of scheelite (Sch I, Sch II, Sch III) were observed in the first three stages, displaying distinct chondrite-normalized REE patterns. The REE of Sch I mainly substituted into the Ca site by REE3+ + □Ca, and there may be a similar substitution of Nb for REE, whereas it is not the main substitution method. The REE of Sch II mainly enter the scheelite lattice in the form of REE3+ + Na+, and there may be a substitution of Nb for REE isomorphism. In the early stage, The REE of Sch III was mainly replaced by Nb for REE isomorphism, while in the later stage, the replacement mode of REE3+ + □Ca coexisted with it. The Mo content in scheelite, along with the corresponding Eu anomalies in both scheelite and garnet, collectively imply that the ore-forming fluids during various mineralization stages were predominantly oxidizing, with only slight reducibility observed in Sch II. The in-situ Sr isotope ratios of scheelite concentrates ranged from 0.7093 to 0.7153, resembling those of the Bozhushan granite, indicating a relationship between W mineralization and granite. In addition, the Y/Ho ratios of scheelite from various mineralization stages exhibit a narrow range (19–31), with a pronounced correlation between the contents of Y and Ho and a similar trend in their variation. This consistency suggests that the Guanfang deposit has undergone a uniform or comparable evolutionary process, implying a stable ore-forming fluid across different mineralization stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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L-Homoserine, serves as a non-essential precursor for the essential amino acids derived from L-aspartate in both animals and humans. It finds widespread applications across the food, cosmetics, pharmaceutical, and animal feed industries. Microbial fermentation, primarily utilizing Escherichia coli, is the dominant approach for L-Homoserine production. However, despite recent advancements in fermentative processes employing E. coli strains, low production efficiency remains a significant barrier to its commercial viability. This review explores the biosynthesis, secretion, and regulatory mechanisms of L-Homoserine in E. coli while assessing various metabolic engineering strategies aimed at improving production efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecological restoration and environmental risk control on bauxite residue disposal areas have received persistent attention worldwide as it concerns the sustainable development of global alumina enterprises. Currently, microbially driven ecological restoration has been regarded as a promising way in consideration of its cost effectiveness, lower risks, and durability. However, the extremely degraded environment (e.g., high alkalinity, poor physical structure, and low organic carbon content) poses significant challenges for the activity and effectiveness of functional microorganisms involved in bioremediation. Moreover, the specific mechanisms of functional microorganisms, including alkaline regulation, stable aggregate formation, organic carbon accumulation, and plant growth promotion, in the soil-formation and revegetation process are not well understood, hindering the widespread application of microbially driven ecological restoration strategies in large-scale bauxite residue disposal. To date, these strategies have not been demonstrated in a large scale. To address these gaps, this review focuses on the microbial properties of bauxite residue disposal areas and the limiting factors of microbial functions. Furthermore, considering the differences between bauxite residue and natural soils, the roles of microorganisms in alkaline stabilization, aggregate formation, and organic carbon accumulation in bauxite residue during the soil-formation process are explored. Meanwhile, the microbially driven ecological restoration on bauxite residue disposal areas, including plant growth capacity and restoration process regulation, are discussed. Lastly, future research directions for understanding microbially driven soil-formation processes and ecological restoration on bauxite residue disposal areas are envisaged. This review provides new insights into the driving mechanisms of microorganisms on the soil formation of bauxite residue, offering a theoretical foundation and practical guidance for ecological restoration on bauxite residue disposal areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mineralization temperature determination is fundamental to economic geology research, yet quantifying it across mineralization remains a challenge. Sphalerite is ubiquitous in various types of mineral deposits and particularly abundant in Pb–Zn deposits, and its trace element composition is temperature-dependent, making it an ideal candidate for geothermometry. Here, we first compiled a global sphalerite trace element composition dataset (n = 1416, T = 75–430 °C), encompassing different Pb–Zn deposit types (Mississippi Valley-type, epithermal, sedimentary-exhalative, skarn-type, and volcanic massive sulfide deposits). After data processing following statistical norms, the different machine learning algorithms (random forest (RF), gradient boosted decision trees, artificial neural networks, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator, support vector machine, k-nearest neighbors, and linear regression) were employed to train different models to explore the potential link between the sphalerite-forming temperature and trace element geochemistry. Each of the model's performance was evaluated using the leave-one-out cross-validation approach, which revealed the RF (R2 = 0.88, RMSE = 26 °C) as the best-performing algorithm. Meanwhile, five-fold cross-validation results indicated that the RF model (R2 = 0.87, RMSE = 25 °C) outperformed the GGIMFis thermometer (R2 = 0.53, RMSE = 50 °C). Meanwhile, the feature importance analysis revealed that Ge and Mn displayed significant impacts on temperature prediction as the high temperature generally favors Mn, but not Ge, incorporation into the sphalerite structure. Finally, a model was trained with the entire dataset, generating a reliable sphalerite thermometer (SPRFT software, freely provided here) suitable for low to moderate temperature (75–430 °C) hydrothermal environments. This SPRFT thermometer was applied to evaluate the temperature of Pb–Zn mineralization in the Sichuan–Yunnan–Guizhou Pb–Zn metallogenic belt (SW China) and it provides an innovative perspective into the ore-fluid evolution. This study demonstrated a robust approach for calculating mineralization temperatures using machine learning. This novel methodology opens new avenues for investigating and recalculating more mineral geothermometers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Minle manganese (Mn) deposit is a typical Mn-bearing deposit in the Datangpo Formation in southern China. The metallogenic environment and associated changing processes directly determine the migration, enrichment, and precipitation of Mn. To have a better understanding of the metallogenic structure, magnetotelluric (MT) method was performed to explore the Minle deposit. Electrical spindle analysis of MT data was conducted based on the Swift decomposition and the phase tensor decomposition, and inversion of the transverse-electric (TE) and transverse-magnetic (TM) models was carried out using the Occam inversion method. The results revealed that the main structural strike of the MT section was approximately 37° north to east and obtained the distribution characteristics of the deep electrical properties in the study area. The "concave structure" in the resistivity model is the main geophysical marker for delineating the Mn-ore body. In the metallogenic structure of Mn ore, a "funnel-shaped structure" of the strata was found, which provided favorable space for the percolation and enrichment of Mn deposits. The results of this study will be helpful in improving geophysical prospecting techniques for sedimentary Mn deposits in southern China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the deformation mechanism in polycrystalline metals is critical to use them in high-value high-risk applications. Here, we report an automated framework based on lattice rotation analysis for accurately identifying slip system and assessing the multiple slip activities in large data set of polycrystalline Zr, aims to statistically provide deep insight on deformation mechanism of Zr. Results show that multiple slip is the dominant slip system rather than single slip system. This method can be applied as a complementary method to the intragranular misorientation axis (IGMA) method and can act as bridges between macro-mechanical response and microstructural deformation mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The capacity of biological tissues to undergo self‐healing is crucial for the performance of functions and the continuation of life. Conventional intrinsic self‐healing materials demonstrate analogous functionality depending on the dissociation‐recombination of reversible bonds with no need of extra repair agents. However, the trade‐off relationship between mechanical strength and self‐healing kinetics in intrinsic self‐healing systems, coupled with the lack of additional functionality, restricts their service life and practical applications. Diversified highly ordered structures in organisms significantly affect the energy dissipation mechanism, signal transmission efficiency, and molecular network reconstruction capability due to their multi‐dimensional differentiated macroscopic composite constructions, microscopic orientation textures, and topologies/bonding types at molecular level. These architectures exhibit distinctive strengthening mechanisms and functionalities, which provide valuable references. This review aims at providing the current status of advanced intrinsic self‐healing materials with biomimetic highly ordered internal micro/nanostructures. Through highlighting specific examples, the classifications, design inspirations, and fabrication strategies of these newly developed materials based on integrating dynamic interactions with ordered nano/microstructures are outlined. Furthermore, the strengthening and self‐healing balance mechanisms, structure–functionalization relationships, and potential application values are discussed. The review concludes with a perspective on the challenges, opportunities, and prospects for the development, application, and promotion of self‐healable materials with bio‐like ordered architectures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jaceosidin (JAC) is a natural flavonoid with anti-oxidant and other pharmacological activities; however, its anti-cancer mechanism remains unclear. We investigated the mechanism of action of JAC in gastric cancer cells. Cytotoxicity and apoptosis assays showed that JAC effectively killed multiple gastric cancer cells and induced apoptosis in human gastric adenocarcinoma AGS cells via the mitochondrial pathway. Network pharmacological analysis suggested that its activity was linked to reactive oxygen species (ROS), AKT, and MAPK signaling pathways. Furthermore, JAC accumulated ROS to up-regulate p-JNK, p-p38, and IκB-α protein expressions and down-regulate the p-ERK, p-STAT3, and NF-κB protein expressions. Cell cycle assay results showed that JAC accumulated ROS to up-regulate p21 and p27 protein expressions and down-regulate p-AKT, CDK2, CDK4, CDK6, Cyclin D1, and Cyclin E protein expressions to induce G0/G1 phase arrest. Cell migration assay results showed JAC accumulated ROS to down-regulate Wnt-3a, p-GSK-3β, N-cadherin, and β-catenin protein expressions and up-regulate E-cadherin protein expression to inhibit migration. Furthermore, N-acetyl cysteine pre-treatment prevented the change of these protein expressions. In summary, JAC induced apoptosis and G0/G1 phase arrest and inhibited migration through ROS-mediated signaling pathways in AGS cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant natural products (PNPs) exhibit a wide range of biological activities and have essential applications in various fields such as medicine, agriculture, and flavors. Given their natural limitations, the production of highvalue PNPs using microbial cell factories has become an effective alternative in recent years. However, host metabolic burden caused by its massive accumulation has become one of the main challenges for efficient PNP production. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen the transmembrane transport process of PNPs. This review introduces the discovery and mining of PNP transporters to directly mediate PNP transmembrane transportation both intracellularly and extracellularly. In addition to transporter engineering, this review also summarizes several auxiliary strategies (such as small molecules, environmental changes, and vesicles assisted transport) for strengthening PNP transportation. Finally, this review is concluded with the applications and future perspectives of transportation engineering in the construction and optimization of PNP microbial cell factories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Jiadi and Damaidi gold deposits in southwest Guizhou Province are the largest basalt-hosted Carlin-type gold deposits recently discovered in China. This study uses the Tescan Integrated Mineral Analyzer, supported by detailed field investigations, regional geological data, and extensive sample collections, including mineralized ore, altered wall rock, and unaltered basalt samples, for ore-bearing and geochemical analyses. Comparative analysis between altered and unaltered basalt samples revealed a mineral assemblage of sericite, quartz, and pyrite. This mineral composition forms through the hydrothermal alteration of unaltered basalt, originally containing feldspar, pyroxene, and ilmenite. The wall rock primarily features sericite, quartz, and hematite. During the alteration process, major, trace, and rare earth elements notably migrate. In the Jiadi deposit, K2O, Rb, Au, and REE significantly increase, while Na2O, CaO, MgO, and MnO decrease. SiO2, Al2O3, and Fe2O3 levels remain relatively stable. In the Damaidi deposit, K2O, Rb, and Au enrich, contrasting with the depletion of Na2O, CaO, MgO, and MnO, while SiO2, Fe2O3, Al2O3, TiO2, and REE show no significant changes. In the wall rock, TiO2, Al2O3, K2O, and REE increase, while Na2O, CaO, MgO, and MnO decrease; SiO2 and Fe2O3 content remains unchanged. The mineralization process likely originated from mid- to low-temperature, reductive magmatic hydrothermal fluids rich in CO2, CH4, N2, H+, S2−, HS−, H3AsO3, and [Au(HS)2]−. These fluids migrated to tectonically weak zones in the Lianhuashan area, where Emeishan basalts are present. They reacted with Fe-bearing minerals in the basalt, such as ferro-hornblende and ilmenite, forming pyrite, arsenic-bearing pyrite, and arsenopyrite, thus enriching Au in these minerals. Additionally, K+ and H+ in the fluid reacted with plagioclase in the basalt, forming sericite and quartz. As the fluid entered the wall rock from structural weak zones, its oxidation increased, leading to the complete or partial reaction of Fe-bearing minerals in the wall rock, resulting in the formation of hematite or magnetite. This mineralization process is similar to that observed in carbonate-hosted Carlin-type gold deposits in southwest Guizhou, with the primary distinction being the iron source. In carbonate deposits, iron originates from ferridolomite within the wall rock, while in basalt-hosted deposits, it derives from ferripyroxene and ilmenite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Huxu Au-dominated polymetallic deposit is a hydrothermal deposit located in the Dongxiang volcanic basin in the middle section of the Gan-Hang tectonic belt in South China. The orebodies primarily occur within the Jurassic-Cretaceous quartz diorite porphyry, while the genesis of this deposit is unclear. This study focused on geological and mineralogical characteristics, in-situ trace elements and S-Pb isotopes of three generations of pyrite of the Huxu deposit to clarify the distribution of trace elements in pyrite, ore-forming fluid and material sources, and genetic types of the deposit. The mineralization stage of the deposit can be divided into quartz-pyrite stage (S1), quartz-pyrite-hematite stage (S2), quartz-polymetallic sulfide stage (S3) and quartz-hematite stage (S4), with the corresponding pyrite being divided into three generations (Py1–Py3). in-situ trace element data of pyrite show that Au in pyrite mainly exists in the form of solid solution (Au+), and the content is relatively low at all stages (0.18 ppm for Py1, 0.32 ppm for Py2, 0.68 ppm for Py3), while Pb and Zn mainly exist as sulfide inclusions in the pyrite. S-Pb isotopes show that the sulfur and ore-forming material of this deposit are mainly sourced from magma. The mineral association, mineral textures and trace elements in different stages of pyrite indicate that fluid boiling and fluid mixing are the key factors of native gold precipitation in S2 and S4, respectively, while water-rock interaction controlled the precipitation of Pb-Zn sulfides. These integrating with geological characteristics suggests that the deposit should be an intermediate sulfidation epithermal deposit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accessibility of paclitaxel and other taxoids from natural resources is restricted. Endophytic fungi are novel, rapidly growing resources for producing these compounds. Neopestalotiopsis vitis (N. vitis) has been recently isolated from Corylus avellana, and its ability to produce a variety of taxoids has been detected and confirmed by analytical methods. Simultaneous growth and high production of taxoids by application of different sorts and concentrations of carbon and nitrogen were targeted in the present research. These criteria were assessed in different acidities (pH 4.0–7.0), carbon sources (sucrose, fructose, glucose, mannitol, sorbitol, and malt extract), and nitrogen forms (urea, ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate, ammonium phosphate, and ammonium sulfate) by testing one parameter at a time approach. The first analysis introduced pH 7.0 as the best acidity of the medium for N. vitis, where the highest paclitaxel yield was generated. Further analysis introduced 3% Malt extract as the best carbon-providing medium. In the next step, the effects of nitrogen forms on the growth rate, paclitaxel yield, alkaloids, and amino acid contents were evaluated. Based on the results of this experiment, 5 mM ammonium sulfate was selected as the best nitrogen source to obtain the maximum biomass and paclitaxel yield. Overall, the results introduce a medium containing 3% (w/v) malt extract and 5 mM ammonium sulfate at pH 7.0 as the best medium in which N. vitis produces the highest paclitaxel yield coincident with rapid and sustainable growth. The findings pave the way for industrial manufacturing of taxoids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Eastern Zhou period of China, characterised by complex interactions among vassal states, witnessed significant advancements in bronze production technology. However, the investigation of interactions based on technological comparison among dominant and dependent states remains limited. Focusing on two newly excavated foundry sites, Baidian in Houma, Shanxi, and Xincun in Hebi, Henan, this study provides crucial insights into the bronze production technologies and material sources used by Jin, a major vassal state in Central China, and Wei, a dependent state of Jin, during the Eastern Zhou period. Elemental analysis and microstructural examinations of slags, fragments of crucible wall and furnace wall, show the diversity of bronze production techniques between these two sites: in the Baidian site, bronzes were predominantly produced by co-melting of metallic copper and tin, and remelting of recycled bronzes, whereas in the Xincun site, bronze were probably made by co-melting of copper and tin ore. Furthermore, lead isotope analysis results suggest that the lead materials used for the bronze production at both the sites were likely from the Xiaoqinling region. Integrated with the historical background of complex interactions among vassal states, these findings not only shed light on the technological advancements and resource networks of the Jin and Wei states but also explain the relationships between technology, resources and social dynamics from various perspective. Hopefully this research would promote archeometallurgical study among regions and be applied to other Bronze Age cultures in the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perfect absorption with adjustable Q factor and wavelength is essential in both theory and application. To address this issue, a structure composed of an epsilon-near-zero (ENZ)- SiO2 grating and a multilayer dielectric structure was designed. In the structure, the intrinsic loss is related to the ENZ thickness, while the external leakage depends on the grating parameters. By adjusting the ENZ film thickness, the intrinsic loss rate was tuned to match the external leakage rate corresponding to different grating parameters, realizing the critical couplings with different Q factors and wavelengths. Under critical coupling, the absorption rate reached a maximum of 99.999%, demonstrating ultra-perfect absorption. The Q factor was adjusted from 4350 to 35800, and the absorption wavelength was modified from 1050 to 1282 nm. The design work may provide new ideas for developing wavelength- and Q-selective absorbers, optical modulators, dielectric sensors, and photodetectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Taxol, derived from Taxus trees, is a valuable natural resource for the development of anticancer drugs. Endophytic fungi from Taxus trees are a promising alternative source of Taxol. However, the impact of plant-endophytic microbial interaction on the host's Taxol biosynthesis is largely unknown. Results: In the current study, the diversity of endophytic fungi in three different Taxus species was analyzed using Internal Transcribed Spacer sequencing. A total of 271 Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs) were identified, grouping into 2 phyla, 8 classes, 16 orders, 19 families, and 19 genera. Alpha and beta diversity analysis indicated significant differences in endophytic fungal communities among the various Taxus trees. At the genus level, Alternaria and Davidiella were predominantly found in T. mairei and T. media, respectively. By utilizing a previously published dataset, a Pearson correlation analysis was conducted to predict the taxol biosynthesis-related fungal genera. Following screening, two isolates of Alternaria (L7 and M14) were obtained. Effect of inoculation with Alternaria isolates on the gene expression and metabolite accumulation of T. mairei was determined by transcriptomic and untargeted metabolomic studies. The co-inoculation assay suggests that the two Alternaria isolates may have a negative regulatory effect on taxol biosynthesis by influencing hormone signaling pathways. Conclusion: Our findings will serve as a foundation for advancing the production and utilization of Taxus and will also aid in screening endophytic fungi related to taxol production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The rate at which the anticancer drug paclitaxel is cleared from the body markedly impacts its dosage and chemotherapy effectiveness. Importantly, paclitaxel clearance varies among individuals, primarily because of genetic polymorphisms. This metabolic variability arises from a nonlinear process that is influenced by multiple single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Conventional bioinformatics methods struggle to accurately analyze this complex process and, currently, there is no established efficient algorithm for investigating SNP interactions. Methods: We developed a novel machine‐learning approach called GEP‐CSIs data mining algorithm. This algorithm, an advanced version of GEP, uses linear algebra computations to handle discrete variables. The GEP‐CSI algorithm calculates a fitness function score based on paclitaxel clearance data and genetic polymorphisms in patients with nonsmall cell lung cancer. The data were divided into a primary set and a validation set for the analysis. Results: We identified and validated 1184 three‐SNP combinations that had the highest fitness function values. Notably, SERPINA1, ATF3 and EGF were found to indirectly influence paclitaxel clearance by coordinating the activity of genes previously reported to be significant in paclitaxel clearance. Particularly intriguing was the discovery of a combination of three SNPs in genes FLT1, EGF and MUC16. These SNPs‐related proteins were confirmed to interact with each other in the protein–protein interaction network, which formed the basis for further exploration of their functional roles and mechanisms. Conclusion: We successfully developed an effective deep‐learning algorithm tailored for the nuanced mining of SNP interactions, leveraging data on paclitaxel clearance and individual genetic polymorphisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An increase in atmospheric p O2 has been proposed as a trigger for the Cambrian Explosion at ∼539–514 Ma but the mechanistic linkage remains unclear. To gain insights into marine habitability for the Cambrian Explosion, we analysed excess Ba contents (Baexcess) and isotope compositions (δ138Baexcess) of ∼521-Myr-old metalliferous black shales in South China. The δ138Baexcess values vary within a large range and show a negative logarithmic correlation with Baexcess, suggesting a major (>99%) drawdown of oceanic Ba inventory via barite precipitation. Spatial variations in Baexcess and δ138Baexcess indicate that Ba removal was driven by sulfate availability that was ultimately derived from the upwelling of deep seawaters. Global oceanic oxygenation across the Ediacaran–Cambrian transition may have increased the sulfate reservoir via oxidation of sulfide and concurrently decreased the Ba reservoir by barite precipitation. The removal of both H2S and Ba that are deleterious to animals could have improved marine habitability for early animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Songshugang deposit is a large Ta–Nb deposit in South China, with Ta–Nb mineralization associated genetically with the granite and pegmatite. A diversity of quartz from topaz–albite granite, quartz–mica pegmatite, quartz–feldspar pegmatite, and quartz–fluorite pegmatite at Songshugang was studied by CL and LA–ICP–MS in order to constrain enrichment mechanisms of Nb and Ta and to find geochemical indicators of quartz for rare metal deposits. Cathodoluminescence image illuminates a canvas of complexity, the quartz from topaz–albite granite, quartz–mica pegmatite, quartz–feldspar pegmatite, and quartz–fluorite pegmatite, exhibits numerous dark CL streaks, patches, and a series of healed fractures. These textures suggest that the rocks were fractured because of deep crustal pressure, and underwent later hydrothermal metasomatism and quartz filling. The quartz from quartz–fluorite pegmatite present limited patches or fractures but distinct growth bands, indicating that the melt fluid composition during the formation of quartz at this stage varies greatly and is less affected by mechanical fragmentation. The LA–ICP–MS analysis of quartz shows that there is a positive correlation between Al and Li in the quartz from topaz–albite granite, quartz–mica pegmatite, quartz–feldspar pegmatite, to quartz–fluorite pegmatite, indicating that Al mainly enters the quartz lattice through charge compensation substitution mechanism with Li. However, our data deviate from the theoretical Li:Al mass ratio of ~ 1:3.89 in quartz, indicating that there may be competition between H+ and Li in a water-rich magmatic environment. The quartz from topaz–albite granite is enriched in K and Na elements, and the quartz from quartz–fluorite pegmatite is enriched in fluorite with a low Ca content in quartz, further elucidating that these rocks were subjected to hydrothermal metasomatism. From topaz–albitite granite to quartz–fluorite pegmatite, Al, Li and Ge content and Al/Ti, Ge/Ti, Sb/Ti ratios in quartz gradually increased, but Ti content gradually decreased, reflecting the high evolution of magma, which can enrich rare metal elements. Based on the characteristics of quartz CL textures and trace elements in topaz–albite granite, quartz–mica pegmatite, quartz–feldspar pegmatite, and quartz–fluorite pegmatite, combined with the albitization and K-feldspathization of rocks, it is suggested that the Nb–Ta mineralization in Songshugang may be influenced by the combined action of magmatic crystallization differentiation and fluid metasomatism. By comparing the quartz in the Songshugang pluton with the quartz in the granite type and pegmatite type rare metal deposits recognized in the world, the Songshugang pegmatite share similarities with the LCT-type pegmatite. Combined with previous studies, the Ge/Ti > 0.1 and Ti < 10 ppm, as well as Al, Li, Ge, Sb, K, Na contents and Al/Ti, Sb/Ti ratios in quartz have the potential to be a powerful exploration marker for identifying granite-like pegmatitic Nb–Ta deposits in other places. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comprehensive research has been implemented to raise the efficiency of the geochemical survey of stream sediments (SSs) that formed under the cryolithogenesis conditions. The authors analysed the composition, structure and specific features of the formation of exogenous anomalous geochemical fields (AGFs) identified through SSs of large river valleys of IV order. In our case, these were the valleys of Maly Ken, Ken and Tap Rivers. These rivers are located in the central and southern parts of the Balygychan–Sugoy trough enclosed in the Magadan region, North–East of Russia. The authors proposed a new technique to sample loose alluvium of SSs in the large river valleys along the profiles. The profiles were located across the valleys. The AGFs of Au, Ag, Pb, Zn, Sn, Bi, Mo and W were studied. Correlations between elements have been established. These elements are the main indicator elements of Au–Ag, Ag–Pb, Sn–Ag, Mo–W and Sn–W mineralization occurring on the sites under study. The results obtained were compared with the results of geochemical surveys of SSs. It is concluded that the AGFs recognized along the profiles reflect the composition and structure of eroded and drained ore zones, uncover completely and precisely the pattern of element distribution in loose sediments of large water flows. The alluvium fraction < 0.25 mm seems to be most significant in a practical sense, as it concentrated numerous ore elements. Sampling of this fraction in the river valleys of IV order does not cause any difficulty, for this kind of material is plentiful. The developed technique of alluvium sampling within large river valleys is efficient in searching for diverse mineralization at all stages of prognostic prospecting. It is applicable for geochemical survey of SSs performed at different scales both in the North–East of Russia, as well as other regions with similar climatic conditions, where the SSs are formed under the cryolithogenesis conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of the fluid inclusions of W–Mo deposits in the mineralization area of Ningshan–Zhen'an , Shaanxi Province, China shows that the gas–liquid two-phase inclusions are mainly present in W–Mo deposits, and the ore-forming fluid can be divided into four types: high-temperature type, middle–high-temperature type, middle-temperature type and low-temperature type. The formation depths of the W–Mo mineralization range from 4.2 to 8.4 km. The boiling and mixing of fluid may have been important mechanisms for the formation of W–Mo mineralization. The skarn-type mineralization is dominated by magmatic water, the quartz-vein-type mineralization includes both magmatic water and meteoric water, and the meteoric water is more involved in the quartz-fluorite-vein-type, beryl-quartz-vein-type and pegmatite-type mineralization. Magma is the main source of sulfur; that is, magma is the main source of mineralization. Combined with the metallogenic setting and geological characteristics of typical ore deposits, in the process of structural system transformation in South Qinling, the ore-forming magma fluid in the Late Indosinian–Yanshanian period was uplifted and emplaced along the NW–WNW direction and NE–NNE direction, and eventually, NW–WNW fault-controlled skarn-type W–Mo mineralization and quartz-vein-type W–Mo deposits accompanied by greisenization, albitization and potash feldspathization formed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cannabidiol (CBD), extracted from Cannabis sativa, has anticancer, anti-inflammation, and analgesic effects. Nevertheless, its therapeutic effect and the mechanism by which it alleviates oral mucositis (OM) remain unclear. Aims: To explore the impact of CBD on OM in mice and on human oral keratinocyte (HOK) cells. Study Design: Expiremental study. Methods: The Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform, GeneCard, DisGeNET, and Gene Expression Omnibus databases were used to conduct therapeutic target gene screening for drugs against OM. Cytoscape software was used to build networks linking components, targets, and diseases. The STRING database facilitated analysis of intertarget action relationships, and the target genes were analyzed for Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment. Occurrence of serum inflammation-related factors, hematoxylin and eosin staining, and immunohistochemistry were used to assess OM injury. Cell proliferation, migration, pyroptosis, and apoptosis of HOK cells under different treatments were assessed. Molecular mechanisms were elucidated through western blot and quantitative realtime polymerase chain reaction analyses. Results: A total of 49 overlapping genes were pinpointed as potential targets, with NF-κB1, PIK3R1, NF-κBIA, and AKT1 being recognized as hub genes among them. Additionally, the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB and interleukin-17 signaling pathways were identified as relevant. Our in vivo experiments showed that CBD significantly reduced the proportion of lesion area, mitigated oral mucosal tissue lesions, and downregulated the expression levels of genes and levels of proteins, including NLRP3, P65, AKT, and PI3K. In vitro experiments indicated that CBD enhanced HOK cell proliferation and migration and reduced apoptosis through inhibition of the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway and pyroptosis. Conclusion: Our findings suggest a novel mechanism for controlling OM, in which CBD suppresses the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway and pyroptosis, thereby mitigating OM symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Estrogen homeostasis is crucial for bladder function, and estrogen deprivation resulting from menopause, ovariectomy or ovarian dysfunction may lead to various bladder dysfunctions. However, the specific mechanisms are not fully understood. Methods: We simulated estrogen deprivation using a rat ovariectomy model and supplemented estrogen through subcutaneous injections. The metabolic characteristics of bladder tissue were analyzed using non-targeted metabolomics, followed by bioinformatics analysis to preliminarily reveal the association between estrogen deprivation and bladder function. Results: We successfully established a rat model with estrogen deprivation and, through multivariate analysis and validation, identified several promising biomarkers represented by 3, 5-tetradecadiencarnitine, lysoPC (15:0), and cortisol. Furthermore, we explored estrogen deprivation-related metabolic changes in the bladder primarily characterized by amino acid metabolism imbalance. Conclusion: This study, for the first time, depicts the metabolic landscape of bladder resulting from estrogen deprivation, providing an important experimental basis for future research on bladder dysfunctions caused by menopause. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Porphyry-type molybdenum deposits, many of which are in China, supply most of the World's molybdenum. Of particular importance are the molybdenum deposits located in the Qinling-Dabie region that are responsible for more than half of China's molybdenum production. A feature that distinguishes this suite of deposits from the better-known Climax and Endako sub-types of porphyry molybdenum deposits is their formation from CO2-rich magmatic-hydrothermal fluids. The role of CO2, if any, in the transport of molybdenum by these fluids, however, is poorly understood. We conducted experiments on the partitioning of molybdenum between H2O-CO2, H2O-NaCl, and H2O-NaCl-CO2 fluids and a felsic melt at 850 °C and 100 and 200 MPa. Here we show that the exsolution of separate (immiscible) brine and vapor leads to the very high brine DMo values needed for efficient extraction of Mo from the magmas forming Dabie-type porphyry molybdenum deposits. Direct exsolution of immiscible CO2 vapour and brine from magma greatly enriches the brine in molybdenum, a likely factor in the genesis of the Dabie-type porphyry deposits that supply much of the World's molybdenum [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The world-class Huize deposit hosts significant germanium (Ge) resources in the Sichuan–Yunan–Guizhou (SYG) Mississippi Valley-type (MVT) Pb–Zn province of China. The distribution and enrichment mechanism of Ge is still poorly understood. In the main ore-forming stage of Huize, we identified six sphalerite colors from C1 (black) to C6 (white) in transmitted light. Two color sequences are confirmed, including C1 → C2 → C3 → C6 and C1 → C2 → C4 → C5 → C6. We used multiple analytical methods to reveal the Ge distribution and incorporation mechanism into sphalerite and the possible enrichment factors. Our results show that Ge occurs as argutite (GeO2), and in the sphalerite crystal lattice, C1 and C3 sphalerite has up to 593 ppm Ge. Two substitution mechanisms, i.e., Ge4+ + □(vacancy) → 2Zn2+ (e.g., C1 and C2) and Ge4+ + 2Cu+ → 3Zn2+ (e.g., C2, C3, C4, and C5), are inferred from the Huize sphalerite. They show different spatial structures of sphalerite and a weak shift of the white line observed by high-resolution X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy. The trace-element composition of sphalerite suggests that reduced sulfur content of the ore-forming fluid contributes to Ge enrichment, followed by high temperature (> 300 °C). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The origin of propylitic fluids in intermediate sulfidation mineralization has not been investigated in detail. Here, we present an extensive petrographic, geochemical, and isotopic (O-H-Sr) study of propylitic epidote, chlorite, and calcite from the Zhengguang intermediate sulfidation epithermal Au-Zn deposit, NE China. Propylitic minerals can be divided into three main types based on their different textural occurrences, namely interstitial cement of clasts of hydrothermal breccia, replacement of primary plagioclase or hornblende, and vein infill of cracks, with late, minor calcite as amygdules in vesicles of andesite representing a fourth textural occurrence. The H-O isotope compositions and mass balance calculations suggest that most propylitic epidote records a dominant (> 50%) contribution of magmatic fluids. The decrease of the average δ18 O H 2 O values equilibrated with different types of epidote (cement 6.8 ± 0.7‰, replacement 5.1 ± 1.1‰, vein 4.5 ± 1.4‰, 1 SD), and the decreasing content of high-temperature elements (e.g., Cu-Mo) from cement, through replacement to vein epidote and chlorite, collectively indicates a decreasing role of magmatic fluids. Replacement epidote and chlorite are enriched in Sr-Mn-Y-Sb, whereas replacement epidote and calcite record similar (87Sr/86Sr)i values to the andesitic host rock, suggesting that replacement minerals inherit certain elements from plagioclase and hornblende, and the Sr isotope signature of the wall rocks. We highlight that propylitic alteration in epithermal deposits can involve significant proportions of magmatic fluids and texturally different alteration mineral types should be considered when using mineral isotopic or chemical compositions to track fluid sources or to vector towards the location of intrusive centers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Xingluokeng deposit is the largest granite-related tungsten deposit within the Wuyi metallogenic belt in South China. The Xingluokeng intrusion primarily consists of porphyritic biotite granite, biotite granite, and fine-grained granite. The deposit is represented by veinlet-disseminated mineralization with K-feldspathization and biotitization, alongside quartz-vein mineralization with greisenization and sericitization. This study investigates in-situ analyses of quartz compositions from both the intrusion and hydrothermal veinlets and veins. Trace element correlations indicate that trivalent Al3+ and Fe3+ replace Si4+ within the quartz lattice, with monovalent cations (such as Li+, Na+, and K+) primarily serving as charge compensators. Low Ge/Al ratios (< 0.013) of quartz from granites suggest a magmatic origin. The low Al/Ti and Ge/Ti ratios, accompanied by high Ti contents in quartz, suggest that the porphyritic biotite granite and biotite granite are characterized by relatively low levels of differentiation and high crystallization temperatures. In contrast, the fine-grained granite exhibits a higher degree of fractionation, lower crystallization temperatures, and a closer association with tungsten mineralization. Ti contents in quartz from quartz veins indicate Qz-I formed at temperatures above 400 °C, while Qz-II to Qz-V formed at temperatures below 350 °C. Variations in different generations of quartz, as indicated by Al content and (Al + Fe)/(Li + Na + K) ratio, suggest that Qz-I precipitated from a less acidic fluid with a stable pH, whereas Qz-II to Qz-V originated from a more acidic fluid with notable pH variations. Consequently, alkaline alteration and acidic alteration supplied the essential Ca and Fe for the precipitation of scheelite and wolframite, respectively, highlighting a critical mechanism in tungsten mineralization at the Xingluokeng deposit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Yangla Cu skarn deposit is located in the central part of the Jinshajiang Suture Zone, southwest China, with a total reserve of 150 Mt Cu @ 1.03%. The newly discovered antimony orebodies at the depth of Yangla are strictly controlled by the stratum, structure, and lithology, which are lenticular and vein-like within the marble fracture zone, which can provide a window into multistage mineralization and ore genesis at Yangla. Mineralization can be divided into three types, Cu–Pb–Zn (skarn) pyrite, galena, and sphalerite, Cu (porphyry) chalcopyrite and pyrite, and Sb (hydrothermal) stibnite and pyrite. The mineral assemblages were stibnite + pyrite + calcite + quartz ± minor scheelite in antimony ores. This study presents quantitative measurements of the trace element compositions of pyrite and stibnite from the Yangla antimony ores. Analysis of pyrite with electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) showed enrichment in Co, Ni, Sb, As, and Mo, and deficit in its S and Fe contents when compared to the stoichiometric concentrations of S and Fe in pyrite. The Sb-related pyrite may belong to sedimentary-reworked genesis and may be modified by hydrothermal fluids, thereby presenting a certain difference (i.e., crystal morphology, texture, and chemical composition) compared to the skarn and porphyry Cu-related pyrite in the Yangla Cu skarn deposit. Analysis of stibnite with EPMA and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry showed enrichment in As, Pb, Sn, Pb, Cu, and Zn, and presented much higher Sb contents and slightly lower S contents when compared to the stoichiometric concentrations of Sb and S in stibnite. Statistical analysis of the stibnite trace elements showed correlations for the elemental pairs Cu–Pb, As–Sb, and Sn–Pb, and the coupled substitution equations Sb3+ ↔ Cu+ + Pb2+, Sb3+ ↔ As3+, and Sn2+ ↔ Pb2+ may be the major factors governed the incorporating Cu, Pb, As and Sn within the stibnite. Moreover, this study preliminary shows that the antimony mineralization may belong to a carbonate replacement hydrothermal genesis at Yangla. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taxus chinensis (Taxus cuspidata Sieb. et Zucc.) is a traditional medicinal plant known for its anticancer substance paclitaxel, and its growth age is also an important factor affecting its medicinal value. However, how age affects the physiological and metabolic characteristics and active substances of T. chinensis is still unclear. In this study, carbon and nitrogen accumulation, contents of active substances and changes in primary metabolites in barks and annual leaves of T. chinensis of different diameter classes were investigated by using diameter classes instead of age. The results showed that leaves and barks of small diameter class (D1) had higher content of non-structural carbohydrates and C, which were effective in enhancing defense capacity, while N content was higher in medium (D2) and large diameter classes (D3). Active substances such as paclitaxel, baccatin III and cephalomannine also accumulated significantly in barks of large diameter classes. Moreover, 21 and 25 differential metabolites were identified in leaves and barks of different diameter classes, respectively. The differential metabolites were enhanced the TCA cycle and amino acid biosynthesis, accumulate metabolites such as organic acids, and promote the synthesis and accumulation of active substances such as paclitaxel in the medium and large diameter classes. These results revealed the carbon and nitrogen allocation mechanism of different diameter classes of T. chinensis, and its relationship with medicinal components, providing a guidance for the harvesting and utilization of wild T. chinensis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novel columnar network structure TiB whisker-reinforced TA15 titanium alloy matrix composites (TiBw/TA15 composites) were successfully prepared by low-energy ball milling and subsequent powder compact extrusion process. Detailed investigation of microstructure evolution in TiBw/TA15 composites indicated that TiBw formed the two-dimensional network structure in the transversal section and the 'parallel whisker wall' structure in the longitudinal section, i.e., three-dimensional columnar network structure. The columnar network structure could refine the microstructure and strengthen the grain boundary of prior β grain; thus, the composites possessed excellent comprehensive mechanical properties. Compared with the TA15, the UTS of the TiBw/TA15 composites was increased by 8.6% (λ = 6). The dimension of the columnar network decreased with the increase of extrusion ratio. The mechanical property test results showed that with the increase of extrusion ratio, the tensile strength (from 1240 MPa to 1355 MPa) and hardness (407.5–446.7 HV) of the TiBw/TA15 composites increased, while the ductility (from 9.72% to 4.10%) decreased. However, when extrusion ratio was too large (λ = 17), the debonding of TiB/matrix interface was observed during the tensile test, and this phenomenon was not conducive to the plasticity of TiBw/TA15 composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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