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The novel π‐electron donor‐based deep eutectic solvents (DESs) have been shown to be a promising type of absorbent with excellent performance on toluene absorption. However, their greenness or sustainability is still unclear. Thus, to bridge the gap and give a comprehensive evaluation for their industrialization potential, the life cycle assessment (LCA) was used to evaluate the potential environmental impacts incurred from their production and usage for absorbing toluene. The environmental profiles are also compared with that of popular choline chloride (ChCl) based DES, common organic solvent triethylene glycol (TEG) and ionic liquid ([EMIM][Tf2N]). The results indicate that among the involved hydrogen bond acceptors (HBAs), TEBAC generally imparts lower environmental impacts than other HBAs but has higher impacts than ChCl. Although TEBAC‐PhOH is not the most environmentally friendly absorbent during the production stage, its outstanding absorption performance minimizes the environmental impact when absorbing the same mass of toluene. Furthermore, the environmental impacts of the toluene absorption process using TEBAC‐PhOH is significantly lower than that of [EMIM][Tf2N], slightly lower than TEG. Therefore, considering both absorption performance and environmental impacts, TEBAC‐PhOH can be used as a promising "green and sustainable" toluene absorbent to traditional absorbents and ionic liquids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The wavelength modulation‐active laser heterodyne spectroscopy (WM‐ALHS), which introduces wavelength modulation technique into active laser heterodyne spectroscopy, is reported to enhance the gas standoff detection capability of weak return optical power. The ALHS gas standoff detection system is developed using a 1.65 μm butterfly packaged distributed feedback laser with tail fiber and an all‐fiber structure, which successfully detects methane concentrations at a distance of 35 cm using an aluminum plate as the reflective surface. Allan variance analysis shows that the system has good stability, and the detection limit at 29.2 s integration time is 0.84 ppm m. Standoff detection experiments with direct absorption‐active laser heterodyne spectroscopy (DA‐ALHS) and wavelength modulation spectroscopy (WMS) are carried out on the basis of the WM‐ALHS system and the detection limits of 4.49 and 1.64 ppm m were achieved within integration times of 18.6 and 29 s for DA‐ALHS and WMS, respectively. The superiority of the WM‐ALHS method compared to these two spectral detection methods is demonstrated. Furthermore, the feasibility of applying WM‐ALHS to gas standoff detection has been verified, laying the foundation for the development of this spectroscopic technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simultaneous measurement of ammonia and ethylene is of great significance for atmospheric environmental monitoring, industrial process controlling and medical respiratory diagnosing. A wavelength modulation spectroscopy based on a 9.56 μm quantum cascade laser (QCL) and a hollow waveguide with a length of 5 m is reported for simultaneous gas sensing of ammonia (NH3) and ethylene (C2H4). The strong absorption lines of NH3 and C2H4 located at 1046.4 and 1045.97 cm−1, respectively, are selected, which can be covered by current tuning of the QCL. Based on the measured frequency modulation characteristics of the QCL, the modulation amplitude is optimized. The sensor performance evaluation shows that it has a sensitivity of 63.2 ppb and 0.775 ppm for NH3 and C2H4 respectively, with time resolution of 1 s. Furthermore, Allan variance analysis shows that the detection limit of NH3 and C2H4 can reach 7 ppb and 45 ppb, respectively, for about 100 s averaging time. The system is stable and robust, thus could be used in real‐time monitoring of atmospheric environment and extended to the field of exhaled breath analysis in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acarbose and metformin have been recommended both as monotherapy and add‐on therapy in type 2 diabetes mellitus. A novel fixed‐dose combination (FDC) of acarbose and metformin has been developed to improve compliance and patient adherence to therapy. The current study investigated the bioequivalence (BE) between acarbose/metformin FDC (50 mg/500 mg) with corresponding loose combination of individual components under fasting conditions in healthy Chinese male and female subjects, using a randomized, 2‐period, 2‐way crossover study design. Pharmacodynamic parameters of serum glucose ratio between treatment day and baseline (ratio of maximum concentration [Cmax], day 1/Cmax, day –1 and ratio of area under the concentration‐time curve [AUC] from time 0 to 4 hours, day 1/AUC from time 0 to 4 hours, day –1) were used as the primary variables to evaluate BE of acarbose. Pharmacokinetic parameters Cmax, AUC from time 0 to the last data point greater than the lower limit of quantification, and AUC were used to evaluate BE of metformin. The results showed that the 90% confidence intervals of the ratios of all primary target variables including ratio of Cmax, day 1/Cmax, day –1 and ratio of AUC from time 0 to 4 hours, day 1/AUC from time 0 to 4 hours, day –1 for acarbose, and Cmax, AUC from time 0 to the last data point greater than the lower limit of quantification, and AUC for metformin all fell within the acceptance limits of 0.8 to 1.25. Thus, BE between 50‐mg acarbose and 500‐mg metformin as an FDC and loose combination was established. Furthermore, different kinds of exploratory pharmacodynamic parameters (based on either serum glucose or insulin) including several newly proposed parameters were also investigated for acarbose BE evaluation in this study, and inconsistent results were observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vilaprisan is a novel selective progesterone receptor modulator for the long‐term treatment of uterine fibroids and endometriosis. This study investigated the pharmacokinetics, safety, and tolerability of vilaprisan in healthy Chinese postmenopausal women. Twelve participants received multiple doses of vilaprisan once daily over 14 days as a 2‐mg tablet. Plasma vilaprisan concentrations were determined using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. The main pharmacokinetic parameters of vilaprisan were assessed with noncompartmental analysis, including maximum observed concentration (Cmax), systemic exposure (area under the plasma concentration–time curve), time to reach Cmax and terminal half‐life. Safety assessments include the documentation of adverse events, measurement of clinical/anthropometric parameters and vital signs, electrocardiogram, and physical and gynecologic examination. The participants had a mean age of 53.3 (± 4.2) years and a body mass index of 23.8 ± 2.8 kg/m2. Median time to reach Cmax was 1.5 hours after both single and multiple vilaprisan administration. Mean Cmax values obtained after multiple dosing (23.3 μg/L [standard deviation (SD) = 6.73]) were 1.92‐fold (SD = 0.554) higher compared to single dosing (12.5 μg/L [SD = 3.04]). Mean area under the plasma concentration–time curve in the dosing interval increased with an accumulation factor of 2.98 (SD = 0.767) between single (91.3 μg · h/L [SD = 20.4]) and multiple dosing (276 μg · h/L [SD = 109]). The mean terminal half‐life of vilaprisan was 44.5 hours (SD = 10.3) after multiple dosing. Mild to moderate adverse events were observed similar to previous studies. Overall, daily oral administration of the therapeutic dose of 2 mg of vilaprisan over 14 days was safe and well tolerated by all participants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The petrology, geochronology and geochemistry of the mafic enclaves in the Mid‐Late Triassic Jiefangyingzi pluton from Chifeng area, southern Inner Mongolia, in China are studied to reveal their petrogenetic relationship with the host pluton. Furthermore, the coeval magmatic assemblage and its petrogenesis on the northern margin of the North China craton (NCC) are studied synthetically to elucidate their tectonic setting and the implications for the destruction of the NCC. Zircon U‐Pb dating reveals that the mafic enclaves formed at 230.4 ± 2.2 Ma, which is similar to the age of the host pluton. The most basic mafic enclaves belong to weak alkaline rocks, and they display rare earth element (REE) and trace element normalized patterns and trace element compositions similar to those of ocean island basalt (OIB). In addition, they have positive ∊Nd(t) values (+3.84 to +4.94) similar to those of the Cenozoic basalts on the northern margin of the NCC. All of these geochemical characteristics suggest that the basic mafic rocks originated from the asthenosphere. Petrological and geochemical studies suggest that the Jiefangyingzi pluton and the intermediate mafic enclaves were formed by the mixing of the asthenosphere‐derived and crust‐derived magmas in different degrees. The Mid‐Late Triassic magmatic rocks on the northern margin of the NCC could be classified into three assemblages according to their geochemical compositions: alkaline series, weak alkaline–sub‐alkaline series and sub‐alkaline series rocks. Petrogenetic analyses suggest that the upwelling of the asthenosphere played an important role in the formation of these Mid‐Late Triassic magmatic rocks. Basing on an analysis of regional geological data, we suggest that the northern margin of the NCC underwent destruction due to the upwelling of the asthenosphere during the Mid‐Late Triassic, which was induced by the delamination of the root of the collisional orogeny between Sino‐Korean and Siberian paleoplates in Late Permian. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intelectin (ITLN) is a new type of glycan‐binding lectin. It has been demonstrated to agglutinate bacteria probably due to its carbohydrate‐binding capacity, suggesting its role in an innate immune response. It is involved not only in many physiological processes but also in some human diseases such as asthma, heart disease, inflammatory bowel disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cancer. Up to now, intelectin orthologs have been identified in placozoans, urochordatas, cephalochordates and several vertebrates, such as cyclostomata, fish, amphibians and mammals. Although the sequences of intelectins in different species are conserved, their expression patterns, quaternary structures and functions differ considerably among and within species. We summarize the evolution of the intelectin gene family, the tissue distribution, structure and functions of intelectins. We conclude that intelectin plays a role in innate immune response and there are still potential functions of intelectin awaiting discovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Voluminous granitoids are widely distributed in the Langshan region, northeast of the Alxa block, and record the evolutionary processes of the southern Central Asian Orogenic Belt. The Dabashan pluton was emplaced into the Paleoproterozoic Diebusige complex. Early Carboniferous zircon LA‐ICP MS U‐Pb ages were from 327 Ma to 346 Ma. The Dabashan pluton can be classified as monzogranite and syenogranite, and exhibits high K2O contents and K2O/Na2O ratios, which reveal a high‐K calc‐alkaline nature. The samples display strongly fractionated REE patterns, and are enriched in large ion lithophile elements (LILE) relative to high field strength elements (HFSE). The Dabashan plutons display unusually high Ba (823–2817 ppm) and Sr (166–520 ppm) contents and K/Rb ratios (315–627), but low Rb/Ba ratios (0.02–0.14), and exhibit fertile zircon Hf isotopic compositions [εHf(t)=–14 to –20], which are comparable to those of typical high Ba–Sr granitoids. Based on the geochemical compositions of the samples, we suggest that subducted sediments and ancient crustal materials both played important roles in their generation. Basaltic melts were derived from partial melting of subcontinental lithophile mantle metasomatized by subducted sediment‐related melts with residual garnet in the source, which caused partial melting of ancient lower crust. Magmas derived from underplating ascended and emplaced in the middle–upper crust at different depths. The resultant magmas experienced some degree of fractional crystallization during their ascent. Given these geochemical characteristics, together with regional tectonic, magmatic, and structure analysis data, an active continental margin environment is proposed for the generation of these rocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inflammation is involved in regulation of cellular events in prostate carcinogenesis through control of the tumour micro-environment. A variety of bone marrow-derived cells, including CD4+ lymphocytes, macrophages and myeloid-derived suppressor cells, are integral components of the tumour micro-environment., On activation by inflammatory cytokines, NF-κ B complexes are capable of promoting tumour cell survival through anti-apoptotic signalling in prostate cancer ( PCa). Positive feedback loops are able to maintain NF-κ B activation., NF-κ B activation is also associated with the metastatic phenotype and PCa progression to castration-resistant prostate cancer ( CRPC)., A novel role for inhibitor of NF-κ B kinase ( IKK)-α in NF-κ B-independent PCa progression to metastasis and CRPC has recently been uncovered, providing a new mechanistic link between inflammation and PCa. Expansion of PCa progenitors by IKK-α may be involved in this process., In this review, we offer the latest evidence regarding the role of the NF-κ B pathway in PCa and discuss therapeutic attempts to target the NF-κ B pathways. We point out the need to further dissect inflammatory pathways in PCa in order to develop appropriate preventive measures and design novel therapeutic strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Environmental and genetic aspects are reflected in the development of prostate cancer. In this context, there is growing evidence that chronic inflammation is involved in the regulation of cellular events in prostate carcinogenesis, including disruption of the immune response and regulation of the tumour microenvironment. • One of the best surrogates of chronic inflammation in prostate cancer is interleukin 6 (IL-6). Serum IL-6 levels are elevated in patients with untreated metastatic or castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) and correlate negatively with tumour survival and response to chemotherapy.Via multiple signal pathways including the Janus tyrosine family kinase (JAK)-signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathway, the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/2)-mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, and the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3-K) pathway, IL-6 is able to promote prostate cancer cell proliferation and inhibit apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. • IL-6 is associated with aggressive prostate cancer phenotype and may be involved in the metastatic process through regulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and homing of cancer cells to the bone. • A substantial body of evidence suggests that IL-6 plays a major role in the transition from hormone-dependent to CRPC, most notably through accessory activation of the androgen receptor. • Collectively, these data have stimulated the development of agents targeting IL-6 signalling pathways. A chimeric anti-IL-6 monoclonal antibody has been tested in clinical trials, with mixed results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Langshan region, northwestern China, marked multi-stage intraplate deformation events have occurred since the Mesozoic, including (1) northeast-striking ductile left-lateral strike slip during the Middle-Late Triassic, which is closely related to the collision between the North China and the Yangtze plates; (2) top-to-the-southeast thrust with northwest-southeast trending maximum compression during the Late Jurassic; (3) nearly eastward detachment during the Early Cretaceous; (4) top-to-the-northwest thrust with northwest-southeast trending maximum compression during the Late Cretaceous and Early Cenozoic; (5) northeast-striking brittle left-lateral strike slip with nearly north-south trending maximum compression; and (6) northwest-southeast extension during the Middle-Late Cenozoic. All these deformation events belong to the intraplate deformation across the entire Central Asian region and respond to the tectonic events along the plate boundaries or deep tectonics. The structures developed in early events in the crust were the most important factors controlling the later deformation styles, and few new structures have later developed. Based on previous research and our results, the paleostress inversion in the Langshan region shows that the Mesozoic intraplate deformations in the study region mainly resulted from the tectonic events from the Paleo-Pacific region and have no or a weak relation to the Tethys region. During the Late Jurassic, the maximum compression from the Mongolia-Okhotsk region cannot be excluded. The Langshan region is the bridge between southern Mongolia and the western Ordos tectonic belt and is thus important to understand the nature and relationship between both regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Secondary/minor structures occurring along the main fault surfaces are important indicators for judging the kinematic characteristics of faults. However, many factors can lead to the formation of these structures, which results in the difficulty for rapid judgment and application in the fields. A series of secondary faults/fractures developed due to the movement of main faults are the most important and widespread phenomena in the scope of brittle deformation. The morphology of the main fault surfaces is various, and former researchers mainly discussed the structures on the main even fault surfaces. However, the fluctuation of fault surfaces is the intrinsic character of the faults, and the intersection between the main fault and secondary faults/fractures can produce a series of kinematic indicators on the main fault surfaces. Based on previous studies and our observations, i.e. the structural traces of the P, R, R′, T and X shears/faults along the main faults, some indicators which are rarely reported previously, are described in the paper. Furthermore, their reliabilities are also discussed, and more practical and reliable criteria are brought forward. We suggest that the simple application of congruous and incongruous steps without knowing their exact origins should be abandoned in the fields, and several types of indicators along one fault surface should be checked with each other as much as possible. Meanwhile, the origins of some other arcuate indicators on the fault surfaces are also discussed, and new models are brought forward. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the largest accretionary orogen, the crustal tectonic framework and evolution of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB) have always been one of the hot topics among geologists (Sengör et al., 1993, 1996; Jahn et al., 2000a; Badarch et al., 2002; Windley et al., 2007; Li et al., 2009). The formation of the main part of the crust in the CAOB involved continuous lateral accretion of island arcs and accretionary complexes along the margins of the Siberian, Sino‐Korean and Tarim paleo‐continents and the final collision between these continental margins because of the subduction of the Paleo‐Asian Ocean plate since Mesoproterozoic. The ophiolites, which represent the fragments of ancient oceanic lithosphere, are the direct evidence for the study of the evolution of orogenic belts. Based on field geological survey, the mantle peridotite (serpentinite), gabbro, basalt and radiolarian bedded chert, which were deemed as the "ophiolite trinity", were identified as isolated blocks in the matrix of pelitic siltstone and silty mudstone in the Kedanshan, Xingshuwa and Jiujingzi areas along the Xar Monron River in southeast Inner Mongolia of China. Besides, there were plenty of other exotic blocks, such as limestone and sandstone, in the matrix. Both of the matrix and blocks underwent strong foliated deformation. All of these rocks above constitute a tectonic mélange. Zircon U‐Pb dating for the gabbro blocks in the Xingshuwa and Jiujingzi ophiolites reveals that they were formed in early Permian (275–280 Ma). The ages of the gabbros, together with the middle Permian radiolaria fossils in the chert reported by Wang and Fan (1997), indicate that the oceanic basin was not closed in early‐middle Permian. The geochemical compositions of the basaltic blocks distributed in different locations in the Xingshuwa tectonic mélange display different genetic types of normal mid‐ocean ridge basalt (N‐MORB), enriched mid‐ocean ridge basalts (E‐MORB), oceanic island basalt (OIB), island arc basalt and continental marginal arc basalt, which indicates what they represented is a complex oceanic basin. Combining with the studies on regional magmatism, strata and structure data, it is suggested that the Xar Moron River Ophiolite belt represented the final suture zone of the Paleo‐Asian Ocean in the southeast Inner Mongolia, and the ocean did not close before late Permian. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emission Spectroscopy: Amplified Emissions Spectroscopy for Sensing Applications (Ann. The theme of amplified emission, which involves complicated chemical reactions and physical processes, such as spontaneous emission, stimulation, and variation of potential energy surface is visualized here. As reviewed in article number 1900210 by Zhenhui Du and co-workers, it potentially indicates the amplified emission spectroscopy developing to a new generation of promising analytical techniques and remote sensing. [Extracted from the article]

Amplified emission spectroscopy is promising for applications of qualitative and quantitative sensing of elements and their states. This technique has the characteristics of a narrow spectral line, high spectral resolution, and high signal‐to‐noise ratio. Recently, this technology has advanced tremendously with progress in excitation methods, that is, resonance multiphoton absorption and filamentation with ultrafast lasers. The mechanism, conditions, excitation, signal processing, and applications of amplified emission spectroscopy are reviewed herein. In particular, the different formation patterns of the amplified emission spectra produced by an ultrafast laser are analyzed in detail. In addition, a brief introduction is given to the existing applications of amplified emission. Finally, both a conclusion and a perspective of the future for amplified emission are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the formation of dykes, which is a special kind of intrusive rocks and are formed by deep magma intruded into the existing brittle fractures in the crust. It discusses the relevance between the distribution of dykes and regional tectonic boundaries in some regions including west and north coast of Balkhash Lake and Chingis-Taerbahatai which was revealed by remote sensing interpretation and field survey.