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Atmospheric ice nucleation particles (INPs) play a crucial role in influencing cloud formation and microphysical properties, which in turn impact precipitation and Earth's radiation budget. However, the influence of anthropogenic activities on the properties and concentrations of INPs remains an area of significant uncertainty. This study investigated the physical and chemical characteristics of atmospheric ice nucleation particles in Huangshan, China during the May Day labor holiday period (spanning 8 days, from April 27th to May 5th). INP concentrations were measured at temperatures from −17 °C to −26 °C and relative humidities (RHw) from 95% to 101%. Average INP concentrations reached 13.7 L−1 at −26 °C and 101% RH, 137 times higher than at −17 °C and 95% RH. INP concentrations showed exponential increases with decreasing temperature and exponential increases with increasing RH. Concentration fluctuations were observed over time, with a peak of ~30 L−1 (t = −26 °C, RHw = 101%) around the start and end of the holiday period. Aerosol number concentrations were monitored simultaneously. The peak in aerosols larger than 0.5 μm aligned with the peak in INP concentrations, suggesting a link between aerosol levels and INPs. Chemical composition analysis using SEM–EDX revealed the distinct elemental makeup of INPs based on the activation temperature. INPs active at warmer temperatures contained N, Na, and Cl, indicating possible biomass and sea salt origins, while those active at colder temperatures contained crustal elements like Al and Ca. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Citrus microcarpa is a popular nutritious fruit that is widely cultivated in China. In recent years, many compounds with significant pharmacological activities have been isolated successfully from the pericarp of C. microcarpa. However, to date, there are no reports on the activity of C. microcarpa pericarp against root-knot nematodes. This study used the ethanolic extract from the pericarp of Hainan C. microcarpa and the impregnation method to determine its activity on J2 Meloidogyne enterolobii specimens and on single-egg hatching. The results showed that when J2 individuals were treated with 50 mg.L-1 of the extract, the lethal concentration 50 values after 24 and 48 hours were 17.124 and 8.858 mg-mL-1, respectively. The mortality rate of nematodes after 48 hours of treatment was 100%, and the inhibition rate of single-egg hatching after 24 hours was 89.29%. The ethanolic extract of C. microcarpa peels showed high inhibitory and lethal activity against the M. enterolobii. The analysis of the chemical composition of the extract revealed 28 substances with insecticidal and antibacterial effects, including lignans, flavonoids, fatty acids, organic acids, terpenoids, and imidazole. The formulas of the chemical structures and pharmacological effects of these potential insecticidal and antibacterial substances were elucidated to provide a scientific basis and a theoretical reference for the use of C. microcarpa pericarps as a raw material for the development of new, natural plant nematicides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Oolong tea, celebrated for its significance in Chinese tea culture, was the subject of investigation in this study. Methods: Five varieties of Minnan oolong tea were sampled, each cultivated under two distinct management approaches: conventional management and natural growth methods. The study aimed to discern variations in sensory attributes, encompassing appearance and liquor color, alongside the analysis of chemical composition. Results and discussion: The results indicated that oolong tea cultivated through conventional manual management generally exhibited qualities in terms of shape and foliage appearance, in contrast to those grown naturally. However, naturally grown oolong tea tended to exhibit more favorable aroma and taste profiles compared to conventionally managed counterparts. Furthermore, the content of water extract, amino acids, polyphenols, caffeine, and other pivotal chemical constituents were typically higher in naturally grown tea varieties compared to conventionally managed ones. Conversely, catechin content was found to be more abundant in traditionally managed bushes than in those grown naturally. These findings emphasize the significance of implementing appropriate natural growth management practices to enhance the quality of Minnan oolong tea and maintain ecological sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soy sauce, being a conventional condiment known for its rich flavor, has the ability to enhance the flavor of food and satisfy people's pursuits for a more enjoyable culinary experience. Consequently, it is extensively utilized in Asian cuisine. A comprehensive strategy was employed in this study, which involved multivariate statistical analysis, sensory analysis and chemical analysis of soy sauce from three production processes. Sensory analysis revealed that three types of sauce were significantly different in floral, fruity and nutty/baked aromas. Through GC × GC-TOF–MS analysis, a total of 358 potential aroma compounds were identified, among which 35 compounds were identified as markers for distinguishing the three types of soy sauce. Pyrazines were abundant in Chinese traditional-type soy sauce, while esters were predominant in Japanese soy sauce. The potential relationship between aroma compounds and aroma characteristics of soy sauce produced through three different processes was investigated. This study provides theoretical insights aimed at enhancing the quality of brewed soy sauce. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rice consumption is a key Cd exposure pathway, which poses a health risk to humans. Reducing cadmium (Cd) concentrations in rice remains challenging. In this study, a pot experiment was conducted to examine the effects of foliar spray of Zn combined with organic matters (including Zn–lysine (Zn-Lys), Zn–fulvic acid (Zn-FA), Zn–amino acid (Zn-AA), and Zn combined with glutathione (Zn + GSH)) on Cd accumulation in rice grains. Compared with the control group, all treatment groups exhibited reduced Cd concentration in rice grains, while improving plant growth, and reducing Cd transport from other tissues to the grains. Zn–FA was found to be the most effective fertilizer, which considerably reduced Cd concentrations in grains from 0.77 ± 0.068 to 0.14 ± 0.021 mg/kg and yielded reductions of up to 81%, which is within the Chinese food maximum tolerable limit of 0.2 mg/kg. Furthermore, the analysis of the chemical forms of Cd of rice tissues indicated that the treatment groups had increased proportions of integrated with pectates and protein in the stems. Except for the group treated with Zn–Lys spray, the percentages of undissolved Cd phosphate in the leaves were increased in all treatment groups, which reduced Cd toxicity to rice plants. The foliar application of Zn combined with organic matters may be a promising strategy to decrease Cd concentration in rice grains cultivated in severely Cd-contaminated agricultural soil, particularly in the karst area in southwest China with limited available cultivable agricultural land. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of 18 samples of shallow groundwater around the Hancheng mining area in the Guanzhong Basin were collected from 1–4 May 2018. According to the analysis of hydrochemical data, the Gibbs semi-logarithmic diagram and Piper diagram were used to research the hydrogeochemical behavior of shallow groundwater around the Hancheng mining area in the Guanzhong Basin. The results of the groundwater hydrochemical analyses shown on the Gibbs and Piper plots are as follows: The chemical composition analysis showed that the main cation components were Mg2+, Ca2+, Na+, and K+, the anion components were HCO3−, Cl−, and SO42−. A measure of 89% of the groundwater samples in this area were freshwater, the HCO3− were mainly dolomite, calcite, and gypsum dissolved precipitation resulted. Na+ and Cl− came from the dissolution of halite. Most of the groundwater was of the SO4·Cl-Ca·Mg type, accounting for 61.1%. The main ion chemistry of the shallow groundwater in this area is controlled by rock weathering, and pyrite oxidation is a significant factor affecting the SO42− concentration. These research results will help analyze the formation mechanism of chemical components and provide some basic data for the evolution of mine water in this area in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyzes data on the chemical composition of wetland waters, groundwaters, and river waters in the catchment area of Poyang Lake, which were obtained in the course of Russian–Chinese hydrogeochemical studies in 2013–2022. The bulk of the laboratory work was carried out at Tomsk Polytechnic University using the mass spectrometric method with inductively coupled plasma. It is shown that wetlands that are not used economically are a source of organic substances and their transformation products entering the groundwater of the upper hydrodynamic zone. An anthropogenic impact on surface and groundwaters has also been established, which manifests itself in a rather sharp increase in the concentrations of certain chemical elements and their compounds. However, at the same time, a significant ability of the region's water bodies to self-purify has been revealed. Thus, in the low-water periods of 2019 and 2022, a decrease in the contents of As, Cd, Ni, Sb, V, Mo, and W in the waters of the Jinjiang River was noted, which is 17–120 times and more just 100–200 m downstream from wastewater outlets. Based on the analysis of measurement results, thermodynamic calculations, mathematical modeling of hydrogeochemical processes, and published materials of other authors, it is concluded that the most likely explanation for this ability is a combination of the following factors: the precipitation of poorly soluble substances (calcium and magnesium humates and carbonates and clay minerals) with the total content of dissolved salts amounting to more than 300–400 mg/dm3; the coprecipitation of a number of microelements, which increases with a decrease in the effective diameter of sediment particles (0.003 mm or less); and the involvement of substances removed from the solution in biogeochemical processes, the intensity of which increases under favorable climatic conditions (such as in the catchment area of Poyang Lake). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, the use of new compound chemical stabilizers to treat marine clay has gained significant attention. However, the complex non-linear relationship between the influencing factors and the unconfined compressive strength of chemically treated marine clay is not clear. In order to study the influence of various factors (dosage, type of stabilizer, curing age) on the unconfined compressive strength of solidified soil during chemical treatment, experiments were performed to determine the unconfined compressive strength of soft marine clay modified with various types of stabilizers. Further, an artificial neural network (ANN) model was used to establish a prediction model based on the unconfined compressive strength test data and to verify the performance. Sensitivity and optimization analyses were further conducted to explore the relative significance of parameters as well as the optimal dosage amount. Research has found that when the content of aluminate cement is 89.5% and the content of curing agent is 30%, the unconfined compressive strength significantly increases after 28 days of solidification, and the change in quicklime content has the greatest effect on the improvement in the unconfined compressive strength. The influence of modifiers on the unconfined compressive strength is in the order: potassium hydroxide > kingsilica > quick lime > bassanite. The values of each factor were obtained when the unconfined compressive strength was the maximum, which provided support for the optimization of the treatment scheme. The analysis of chemical treatment is no longer limited to the linear relationship according to the test results, which proves the feasibility of non-linear relationship analysis based on the artificial neural network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Wujiafentou site is located at the heart of the Youziling (5900–5500 cal BP) and Shijiahe (4500–4200 cal BP) cultures in the Handong region, a core area to understand the relationship among economic networks, sociopolitical integration, and regional identity in the middle Yangtze River valley (MYRV) of central China during the Late Neolithic times. Its pottery assemblages are important clues to understanding the pottery production and use before and after the extensive walled town construction activities in the Neolithic MYRV. Wujiafentou is less than 5 km from the Shijiahe walled town, the largest city of its time in the MYRV. This paper applies microscopic examination and chemical and mineralogical analyses to a sample of 152 sherds of the Youziling-period and Shijiahe-period utilitarian vessels unearthed from the Wujiafentou site, revealing the changes and continuity in pottery production and use over time. We also probe into the socio-economic ties between Wujiafentou and the Shijiahe walled town mainly through hong tao bei (red clay cups), which were widely distributed and presumably highly symbolic items of the Shijiahe culture related to drinking, feasts, and rituals. We propose that the Wujiafentou inhabitants produced their red clay cups by mimicking those made within the Shijiahe walled town. Our study highlights an alternative interpretation of the formation of a regional identity during the Shijiahe period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Andrographis paniculata is a medicinal plant traditionally used to produce diterpene lactones and flavonoids, which possess various biological activities. Widely distributed in China, India, and other Southeast Asia countries, A. paniculata has become an important economic crop, significantly treating SARS-CoV-2, and is being cultivated on a large scale in southern China. The biosynthesis of active ingredients in A. paniculata are regulated and controlled by genes, but their specific roles are still not fully understood. To further explore the growth regulation factors and utilization of its medicinal parts of this industrial crop, chemical and transcriptome analyses were conducted on the roots, stems, and leaves of A. paniculata to identify the biosynthesis pathways and related candidate genes of the active ingredients. The chemical analysis revealed that the main components of A. paniculata were diterpene lactones and flavonoids, which displayed potential ability to treat SARS-CoV-2 through molecular docking. Moreover, the transcriptome sequencing annotated a total of 40,850 unigenes, including 7962 differentially expressed genes. Among these, 120 genes were involved in diterpene lactone biosynthesis and 60 genes were involved in flavonoid biosynthesis. The expression of diterpene lactone-related genes was the highest in leaves and the lowest in roots, consistent with our content determination results. It is speculated that these highly expressed genes in leaves may be involved in the biosynthesis pathway of diterpenes. Furthermore, two class Ⅰ terpene synthases in A. paniculata transcriptome were also annotated, providing reference for the downstream pathway of the diterpene lactone biosynthesis. With their excellent market value, our experiments will promote the study of the biosynthetic genes for active ingredients in A. paniculata and provide insights for subsequent in vitro biosynthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Paphiopedilum armeniacum (P. armeniacum), an ornamental plant native to China, is known for its distinctive yellow blossoms. However, the mechanisms underlying P. armeniacum flower coloration remain unclear. Methods. We selected P. armeniacum samples from different flowering stages and conducted rigorous physicochemical analyses. The specimens were differentiated based on their chemical properties, specifically their solubilities in polar solvents. This key step enabled us to identify the main metabolite of flower color development of P. armeniacum, and to complete the identification by High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) based on the results. Additionally, we employed a combined approach, integrating both third-generation full-length transcriptome sequencing and second-generation high-throughput transcriptome sequencing, to comprehensively explore the molecular components involved. Results. We combined physical and chemical analysis with transcriptome sequencing to reveal that carotenoid is the main pigment of P. armeniacum flower color. Extraction colorimetric method and HPLC were used to explore the characteristics of carotenoid accumulation during flowering. We identified 28 differentially expressed carotenoid biosynthesis genes throughout the flowering process, validated their expression through fluorescence quantification, and discovered 19 potential positive regulators involved in carotenoid synthesis. Among these candidates, three RCP2 genes showed a strong potential for governing the PDS and ZDS gene families. In summary, our study elucidates the fundamental mechanisms governing carotenoid synthesis during P. armeniacum flowering, enhancing our understanding of this process and providing a foundation for future research on the molecular mechanisms driving P. armeniacum flowering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Qiangli Dingxuan (QLDX) tablet is a widely recognized traditional Chinese medicine formula that has been extensively used in China for decades to treat vertigo, tinnitus, and dizziness owing to its outstanding therapeutic outcomes. However, the complexity of the chemical components in this tablet makes it challenging to separate and identify these components. This study presented an effective and sensitive strategy for the rapid separation and simultaneous structural identification of QLDX tablet components using ultra‐performance liquid chromatography with quadrupole time‐of‐flight tandem mass spectrometry and the UNIFI platform. Based on retention times, accurate masses, fragment ions, related literature, and authentic standards, 119 compounds were identified or tentatively characterized; these included 9 iridoids, 12 lignans, 21 phenylpropanoids, 27 flavonoids, 7 phthalides, and 43 others. Among them, 36 were confirmed using reference standards. The representative compounds with various chemical structures were studied by analyzing their fragmentation patterns and characteristic ions. In conclusion, this study established a rapid approach for characterizing the chemical constituents in QLDX tablet. The proposed approach provides a basis for qualitative analysis and quality control in the manufacturing process and is beneficial for advancing investigations into the efficacy and mechanism of action of this tablet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peanut Fusarium rot, which is widely observed in the main peanut-producing areas in China, has become a significant factor that has limited the yield and quality in recent years. It is highly urgent and significant to clarify the regulatory mechanism of peanuts in response to Fusarium oxysporum. In this study, transcriptome and proteome profiling were combined to provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms of peanut stems after F. oxysporums infection. A total of 3746 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 305 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were screened. The upregulated DEGs and DEPs were primarily enriched in flavonoid biosynthesis, circadian rhythm-plant, and plant–pathogen interaction pathways. Then, qRT-PCR analysis revealed that the expression levels of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), chalcone isomerase (CHI), and cinnamic acid-4-hydroxylase (C4H) genes increased after F. oxysporums infection. Moreover, the expressions of these genes varied in different peanut tissues. All the results revealed that many metabolic pathways in peanut were activated by improving key gene expressions and the contents of key enzymes, which play critical roles in preventing fungi infection. Importantly, this research provides the foundation of biological and chemical analysis for peanut disease resistance mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2011, in the process of implementing REACH in the European Union, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) launched the Community Rolling Action Plan (CoRAP), which regularly updates and publishes the CoRAP assessment list of chemicals in March each year, including the names of the chemicals to be evaluated, the member countries and the completion time of evaluation. In 2019, based on the rich practical experience gained through REACH and CLP, EHCA released the first Integrated Regulatory Strategy to accelerate data collection of chemicals, promote environmental risk assessment and grouping management of Substances of Very High Concern, in order to develop the most suitable risk control measures. The EU is committed to promoting the concept of global sound management of chemicals, and continuously revising the REACH and CLP during the implementation process, to ensure the green and sustainable development of the EU chemical industry while also to protect human health and environmental safety. In May 2022, China issued the Action Plan on Controlling New Pollutants, which requires to conduct risk assessment on a batch of chemicals. Studying the latest chemicals risk assessment management approaches in EU has important reference value for supporting the chemicals environmental risk assessment in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ice-nucleating particles (INPs) are crucial for cloud freezing processes in the atmosphere. Given the limited knowledge about the vertical distribution of INPs and its relation to aerosols in China, we present two aircraft observations of INPs over the North China Plain on 23 October 2019 and 25 October 2019, before and after a cold front passage. We used a well-established method to identify the INPs on a silicon wafer and then performed single-particle chemical composition analysis using an environmental scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive spectrometer (ESEM-EDS). The INP concentrations range from 0.1 to 9.2 L−1 within activation temperatures from −20 to −29 °C. INPs are mostly concentrated within the boundary layer, and their concentration shows a decreasing trend with height (0.5~6 km) before the cold front passage. However, the highest INP concentration always appears at higher altitudes (4~5 km) after the cold front passage. The cold front passage also significantly weakens the correlations between the concentrations of INPs and aerosol particles at different sizes. The activated fraction (AF) of total aerosols increases from 10−6 to 10−4 with height from near ground to 6 km, reflecting a better nucleating capacity of the aerosols at higher altitudes. There is no obvious variation in AF after the cold front passage. Chemical analysis reveals that the INPs containing mineral dust components comprise the majority of total INPs during both flights. The proportion of pure mineral dust declines from 52.2% to 43.5% after the cold front passage while the proportion of mixed mineral dust increases from 23.9% to 45.7%, suggesting that an increased probability of aging or coating of INPs is introduced by the cold front during their long-distance transport. In addition, 88% of INPs have a diameter larger than 1 μm. This indicates that larger aerosols (>1 μm) are the major contributors to INPs at high altitudes despite their relatively low abundance. Our results demonstrate a significant impact of transport events on the sources and vertical distribution of INPs in the atmosphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim (ZBM) belongs to Rutaceae family and has been used as traditional spice and herb for hundreds of years in China. Accumulating evidence suggests a series of pharmacological effects associated with ZBM. This review aims to provide a systematic analysis of the composition, structural properties, pharmacology, and pharmacokinetics of ZBM. Chemical composition analysis of ZBM showed that the main compositions were volatile oil, amide compounds, flavonoids, alkaloids, coumarins, lignans, and phenylpropanoids. Interestingly, ZBM exhibits a wide range of significant biological activities including antiinflammatory and analgesic effect, anesthetic effect, neuroprotective effect, antiobesity activity, antineoplastic activity, antibacterial, and other activities. However, there is currently no comprehensive review available on ZBM. Therefore, an up-to-date research was accomplished through systematic searching of multiple electronic databases. In a word, this review summarizes the recent researches investigating the chemical composition and biological properties which will provide a better understanding about the health benefits and preclinical assessment of novel application of ZBM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rhizomes of Curcuma species have a long medicinal history in Asia. In China, Curcuma species mainly be utilized to make pharmaceutical products, including C. phaecocaulis, C. aromatica, C. wenyujin, C. kwangsiensis and C. longa. In this study, twenty-four samples were selected to study the genetic and chemical variability among five Curcuma species. The ITS2 and trnK intron gene fragment were used to identify the five Curcuma species, the differences in chemical composition were computed using the Euclidean distance based on the data of HPLC characteristic peak areas and the content of six key components, and agronomic characteristics were analyzed including morphological and volatile oil characteristics. The ITS2 and trnK intron gene fragment could distinguish the five Curcuma species clearly. The genetic distance between Curcuma species ranged from 0.0085 to 0.0767 based on the data of ITS2 gene sequences with 32 variation sites, and the genetic distance between Curcuma species ranged from 0.0003 to 0.0194 based on the data of trnK intron gene sequences with 39 variation sites. Five Curcuma species showed otherness chemical composition characteristics, with the Euclidean distance ranging from 3.373 to 6.998. The C. longa showed the biggest variation compared with other species, with the Euclidean distance above 6.239. Among the samples of the original plants of Ezhu, the volatile oil yield of W1 was the highest, reached to 105.75 mL per single plant. Among all the samples, J6 showed the highest yield of volatile oil, reached to 149.42 mL per single plant. The results showed that chemical composition similarity of the medicinal plants was the primary proof for the selection of the original plants of the Curcuma medicinal materials. The genetic distance and chemical variability were important references for discovering new medicinal plant resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zanthoxylum myriacanthum Wall. ex Hook. f., a plant belonging to the Rutaceae family and the Zanthoxylum genus, is extensively utilized for its medicinal properties and as a culinary seasoning in China and Southeast Asian countries. However, the chemical composition and biological activities of Z. myriacanthum branches and leaves remain insufficiently explored. In this study, the volatile and non-volatile components of Z. myriacanthum branches and leaves were analyzed using GC-MS and UPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS techniques. A total of 78 volatile compounds and 66 non-volatile compounds were identified. The volatile compounds were predominantly terpenoids and aliphatic compounds, while the non-volatile compounds were primarily flavonoids and alkaloids. The branches contained 52 volatile compounds and 33 non-volatile compounds, whereas the leaves contained 48 volatile compounds and 40 non-volatile compounds. The antioxidant activities of the methanol extracts from Z. myriacanthum branches and leaves were evaluated using ABTS and DPPH free-radical-scavenging assays, both of which demonstrated certain antioxidant activity. The methanol extract of leaves demonstrated significantly higher antioxidant activity compared to that of the branches, possibly due to the higher presence of flavonoids and phenols in the leaves, with IC50 values of 7.12 ± 0.257 μg/mL and 1.22 × 102 ± 5.01 μg/mL for ABTS and DPPH, respectively. These findings enhance our understanding of the chemical composition and antioxidant potential of Z. myriacanthum. The plant holds promise as a natural source of antioxidants for applications in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and functional foods. Further research can explore its broader biological activities and potential applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dendrobium catenatum Lindl. has been long used in China as a functional food and traditional Chinese medicine and polysaccharides from Dendrobium catenatum Lindl. (DOP) exhibited extensive bioactivities. However, studies on the structure-activity relationship of DOP are rarely reported. Here, two polysaccharides named DOP-1 and DOP-2 were obtained, which differed in the ratio of monosaccharide composition and molecular weight. Structural characteristics were elucidated by spectral and chemical analysis. The main structures of DOPs were the linkage of β-(1→4)-D-Manp, with some attached 2-O- or 3-O-acetylated groups. Additionally, the DPPH, hydroxyl and superoxide radicals scavenging assays of DOP-1 and DOP-2 showed that DOP-2 exhibited the higher antioxidant activity, which might be related to its lower molecular weight, higher mannose proportion and lower degree of acetylation, and higher phenolic content. Our results provide a more accurate basis for the application of DOPs in the pharmaceutical and food industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Direct analysis in real-time mass spectrometry (DART-MS) is an emerging in-situ ionization mass spectrometry analysis technology in recent years. DART is a non-contact surface desorption ionization technique, which is based on the principle of using helium or nitrogen as the working gas and generating excited high-energy particles by electric discharge. The excited state particles are accelerated by rapid heating and electric force, which instantly ionize the volatile compounds on the surface of the sample to be measured under atmospheric pressure, and then detected by mass spectrometry, thus achieving real-time direct analysis of the sample. DART-MS has the characteristics of simple sample preparation, quick and in-situ analysis. Since DART-MS was reported in 2005, it has become one of the most broadly used direct analysis methods and is extensively applied for the direct analysis of the quality, safety, origin and characteristics of food samples. Besides, it has been widely used in biomedicine, environmental monitoring, public safety, and drug analysis as well. Traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) have been used for thousands of years in China, which gradually move towards to the world arena. The composition of TCM is very complicated, often containing many different chemical components of different types and properties, such as flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, etc. Therefore, the analysis of the chemical basis of the efficacy and quality evaluation of TCMs are very crucial. In recent years, the development of DART-MS technology has provided many new opportunities for direct and rapid analysis of active ingredients in TCMs. The review was focused on the applications of DART-MS in TCMs, which covered the principle, characteristics, influencing factors and technological progress of DART-MS technology, and systematically summarized the research and application of this technology in TCMs, including qualitative and quantitative analysis. In addition, this review briefly introduced the progress of the application of DART-MS in combination with other techniques, such as thin-layer chromatography, imaging mass spectrometry and solid-phase microextraction in the profiling of TCMs, and provided further perspectives on its application development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four species of Porpidia are newly reported from China, including one species new to science (Porpidia crystallina) and three records (Porpidia umbonifera , P. seakensis and P. cf. contraponenda) new to China. Porpidia crystallina is characterized by a macrocarpa -type exciple containing crystals, a Cinereorufa-green epihymenium, large ascospores and a lack of secondary metabolites. Morpho-anatomical, chemical and phylogenetic analyses were carried out to elucidate the placement of the species and to support the delimitation of the new taxon. Detailed taxonomic descriptions, ecological and chemical characters, and illustrations are provided for each species. A key to all known Chinese Porpidia species is also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Finger citron pickled products (FCPP), as folk remedies, are famous in southern China for protecting gastric mucosa. However, the gastric mucosa protection of FCPP has not been reported yet, and its effective mechanism is unclear. In this study, the protective mechanism of FCPP aqueous extract on gastric mucosa was investigated in vitro and in vivo for the first time, using human gastric mucosa epithelial cells (GES-1) and acute alcoholic gastric ulcer rat model respectively. Furthermore, we also investigated the main substances in the aqueous extract that exert gastroprotective activity using a GES-1 scratch test and basic chemical composition analysis. FCPP aqueous extract was found to play a protective and reparative role in GES-1 by promoting the secretion of trefoil factor thyroid transcription factor 2 (TFF2) and inhibiting the secretion of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in cells damaged by alcohol. The ulcer index of gastric tissue induced by alcohol was significantly decreased (p < 0.01) after pretreatment with FCPP aqueous extract, indicating that FCPP aqueous extract had a good protective effect on the stomach mucosa. Moreover, FCPP aqueous extract could increase superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and inhibit malondialdehyde (MDA) content, exhibiting good antioxidant capacity. Aqueous extract of FCPP could also effectively inhibit the increase of cytokines TNF-α, interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in serum of rats, and promote the increase of anti-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-10 (IL-10) to some extent. Furthermore, FCPP aqueous extract could inhibit the expression of nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB/P65) protein, caspase-1 protein and IL-1β protein in the gastric tissue of rats, while promoting the expression of IκBα protein, indicating that the gastric mucosa protection effects of FCPP aqueous extract were mainly dependent on the NF-κB/caspase-1/IL-1β axis. The polysaccharides in FCPP aqueous extract might be the main components that exerted gastroprotective activity, as demonstrated by GES-1 cell scratch assay. This study confirmed that FCPP aqueous extract presented promising potential in protecting gastric mucosa and avoiding gastric ulcers, which could provide an experimental basis for further utilizing the medicinal value and developing new products of FCPP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: In this study, a novel plant growth regulator 2,4-dichloroformamide cyclopropane acid (B2) was used to explore its effects on wheat stalk morphology, chemical composition, anatomical structure, crushing strength and their relationship with lodging resistance. The effects of stem quality change on grain filling and yield were further discussed. Methods: We conducted a series of experiments, including determinations of internode morphology and breaking resistance, analyses of chemical composition and hormone content, observation of internode anatomy, and measurement of grain filling rate, to explore the effects of internode developmental changes induced by B2 treatment on grain filling. Results: Spraying 150 μmol·L−1 B2 at jointing stage significantly decreased plant height, height of center of gravity, basal internode and cell length, while increased stem diameter, wall thickness of basal second internode, cortex thickness, vascular bundle transverse section area and cell cross-sectional area, which resulted in higher breaking strength and culm lodging resistance index. B2 also significantly reduced the content of gibberellin in the second basal internode, and increased the accumulation of lignin and cellulose, thus forming a shorter and stronger stalk. Correlation analysis showed that stem outer diameter, stem wall thickness, cellulose and lignin content were significantly and positively correlated with stem breaking strength. The improvement of stalk structure, especially vascular bundle area, increased bleeding sap, which contributed to grain filling and final yield formation. Conclusions: Lodging resistance and average grain-filling rate can be enhanced by spraying B2 at wheat jointing stage due to the improvement of culm structure, which is conducive to further increase of yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Panxi area in Sichuan Province is the main area for the production of truffles in China, and several species of truffle are known to exist in this region. Nevertheless, it is unclear what the differences in chemical composition between the truffles are. Using an ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography quadrupole/orbitrap high‐resolution mass spectrometry coupled with Compound Discoverer 3.0, we identified chemical components in three mainly known truffles from the Panxi region. Further analysis of chemical composition differences was conducted using principal component analysis, and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis. Note that, 78.9% of the variance was uncovered by the principal component analysis model. As a result of the orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis model, the three species of truffles (Tuber pesudohimalayense, Tuber indicum, and Tuber sinense) from Panxi were better discriminated, with R2X, R2Y, and Q2 being 0.821, 0.993, and 0.947, respectively. In this study, 87 components were identified. T. pesudohimalayense contained significantly higher levels of nine different compounds than the other two species. Hence, it was possible to identify similarities and differences between three species of truffles from Panxi in terms of chemical composition. This can be used as a basis for quality control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, groundwater, stream water, and stream sediment samples were collected from a coal mine area in Dazhu, Southwestern China, and hydrogeochemical, multivariate, and X-ray analyses were conducted to examine the effects of coal mine pollution. The groundwater and stream samples were slightly acidic to alkaline (6.7 to 8.2). Typically, the water samples were dominated by Ca2+ + Mg2+–HCO3− and Ca2+ + Mg2+–Cl−. SO42− originates from gypsum dissolution and pyrite oxidation, and Ca2+ and Mg2+ may be related to the dissolution of carbonate. According to the Chinese standard and World Health Organization guidelines, the water in the coal mine area is of good quality in terms of its physical and chemical properties, except for the concentration of Mn and Fe, with values of 1925.14 μg/L and 12,872.88 μg/L, respectively. A principal component analysis revealed two groups in which the concentration of metals and metalloids in stream sediments are affected by the coal mine drainage. The Mn and Fe average concentration in the downstream Kongjiagou drain sediment samples was 2035.1 ppm and 6%, respectively. These values were higher than the average Mn and Fe concentration in Xiaojiagou at 453.1 ppm and 2.9%, respectively. Both the Mn and Fe concentration were higher than the background values (640 ppm and 4.4%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: For this experiment, the Cherry Valley duck was selected as the experimental animal. By measuring the chemical composition of wheat from different sources and net energy values, we analyzed the correlation between the NE and the chemical composition of wheat. Finally, the best-fit equation was established: NE = 0.380 AME − 0.147 NDF − 0.274 ADF + 5.262 (R2 = 0.874, RSD = 0.19, p < 0.001). The goal of this study was to determine the net energy (NE) value of wheat for growing ducks and establish a NE prediction equation based on the grain's chemical composition. Forty wheat samples were selected based on bulk weight from major wheat-producing regions in China. A total of 460 1-week-old ducks (initial body weight (BW): 134.86 ± 3.32 g) were randomly assigned to 46 diets, including a basal diet, 5 restricted feeding diets and 40 test diets. Each diet contained five replicates, each with two ducks. The basic diet was a corn–soybean meal, and 40 kinds of experimental diets were prepared by mixing the basic diet with 20% wheat. A prediction equation for the NE concentration was created using the chemical make-up of wheat samples. The results indicated that the NE and apparent metabolism energy (AME) content of 40 wheat samples ranged from 6.81 to 9.12 MJ/kg and from 11.03 to 14.34 MJ/kg, respectively. The ether extract (EE), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and AME were highly correlated with NE value (p < 0.01), with the AME and NE showing the strongest correlation (r = 0.884). Chemical features could be used to predict the NE values with accuracy, and the prediction equation was strengthened by the inclusion of the AME. The best-fit equation was as follows: NE = 0.380 AME − 0.147 NDF − 0.274 ADF + 5.262 (R2 = 0.874, RSD = 0.19, p < 0.001). In summary, the NE value of wheat is 8.49 ± 0.30 MJ/kg for growing ducks, and the chemical composition can be used to accurately predict NE in wheat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Idesia polycarpa pulp oil (IPPO) has the potential to become the new high-quality vegetable oil. The chemical parameters, fatty acid composition, bioactive ingredients, and antioxidant capacity of five Chinese regions of IPPO were studied comparatively, with significant differences among the regions. The oils were all abundant in unsaturated fatty acids, including linoleic acid (63.07 ± 0.03%–70.69 ± 0.02%), oleic acid (5.20 ± 0.01%–7.49 ± 0.03%), palmitoleic acid (4.31 ± 0.01%–8.19 ± 0.01%) and linolenic acid (0.84 ± 0.03%–1.34 ± 0.01%). IPPO is also rich in active substances such as tocopherols (595.05 ± 11.81–1490.20 ± 20.84 mg/kg), which are made up of α, β, γ and δ isomers, β-sitosterol (1539.83 ± 52.41–2498.17 ± 26.05 mg/kg) and polyphenols (106.77 ± 0.86–266.50 ± 2.04 mg GAE/kg oil). The free radical scavenging capacity of IPPO varies significantly depending on the region. This study may provide important guidance for the selection of Idesia polycarpa and offer insights into the industrial application of IPPO in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Nonferrous Metals (Mineral Processing Section) is the property of Beijing Research Institute of Mining & Metallurgy Technology Group and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Radix Cudramiae, known as "Chuan‐Po‐Shi" in China, is a herbal medicine widely used in the southwest of the country, especially applied by the Miao and Zhuang nationalities for the treatment of liver diseases, such as acute liver injury and liver fibrosis. As a kind of ethnomedicine, the report on its chemical analysis was still blank, which restricted its clinical application. Therefore, this paper aimed to illustrate the chemical characteristics of Radix Cudramiae. A rapid analytical strategy based on ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time‐of‐flight tandem mass spectrometry was developed to profile the natural small‐molecular compounds in Radix Cudramiae, as well as the related prototypes and their metabolites in rats after drug administration. As a result, a total of 74 compounds were detected in the aqueous exact of Radix Cudramiae. In vivo, 45 chemicals including 16 prototypes and 29 metabolites in rat serum, along with 35 chemicals including 17 prototypes and 18 metabolites in rat liver, were screened out and identified. For the first time, the chemical constituents of Radix Cudramiae and their metabolic characteristics were discovered. It was hoped that this work would be beneficial for the safe and effective application of Radix Cudramiae in a clinic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the analysis of chemical composition and the phase of scandium-containing clay type rare earth ore in a place in China, it is found that the content of scandium in the ore is 18.55 g/t. Due to the low leaching rate of direct acid leaching, the effect of the roasting process on the leaching rate of scandium from the raw ore was investigated. By comparing the operation of the two leaching processes, oxidised roasting-hydrochloric acid leaching and alkali roasting-hydrochloric acid leaching, we obtain the optimal technical conditions for both leaching processes. At the same time, the mechanism of alkali roasting was investigated and the conclusions obtained are of some reference for the extraction of scandium from low-grade rare earth ores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of caramel has existed since millenary times, originating in China with rudimentary blown figures. However, up to the present time, the complex artistic figures that are presented in the competitive world gastronomic scenarios or as part of gastronomic sophistication are served in the most exclusive A&B establishments. For this study, a thorough qualitative bibliographic review has been carried out to support and substantiate the culinary chemical principles of components, reactions and process of elaboration of caramel. Concluding in the first instance that sugars are susceptible to reactions such as caramelization due to high temperatures, which leads to the melting point of the carbohydrate to melting and generates compounds related to the characteristics of smell, taste but especially, the dark color of this food; chemical products such as furfural, melanoidin's, furans, furanone, lactones, pyrones, aldehydes, ketones and more that give the identifying characteristic to the final sweet product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chukrasia tabularis is an economically important tree and widely cultured in the southeast of China. Its barks, leaves, and fruits are consumed as a traditional medicine and perceived as a valuable source for bioactive limonin compounds. The extracts from root barks of C. tabularis showed significant anti‐inflammatory effect. The aim of this research was to explore the material basis of C. tabularis anti‐inflammatory activity, and to purify and identify anti‐inflammatory active ingredients. By a bioassay‐guided isolation of dichloromethane fraction obtained two novel phragmalin limonins, Chukrasitin D and E (1 and 2), together with 12 known limonins (3–14). The chemical structure of these compounds is determined on the basis of extensive spectral analysis and chemical reactivity. In addition, the activities of these isolated limonins on the production of nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α), and nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB) in RAW264.7 cells induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were evaluated. Limonins 1 and 2 indicated significant anti‐inflammatory activity with IC50 values of 6.24 and 6.13 μM. Compound 1 notably inhibited the production of NF‐κB, TNF‐α and interleukin 6 (IL‐6) in macrophages. The present results suggest that the root barks of C. tabularis exhibited anti‐inflammatory effect and the limonins may be responsible for this activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Chinese Journal of Inorganic Analytical Chemistry / Zhongguo Wuji Fenxi Huaxue is the property of Beijing Research Institute of Mining & Metallurgy Technology Group and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Tiger lily (Lilium lancifolium Thunb.) is a cash crop with a long history of cultivation in China. Its roots have long been used as a valuable component of Chinese medicine. Continuous cropping, the conventional planting approach for tiger lily, often leads to severe root rot disease, but it is not yet clear how this planting method leads to root rot. In this study, we analyzed the rhizosphere microbiome and predicted microbial protein function in tiger lily planted with the continuous cropping method in three different geological types of soil. In order to explore the specific rhizosphere microbiota triggering root rot disease, tiger lily was compared to maize grown in a similar system, which showed no disease development. An analysis of the chemical elements in the soil revealed that the Pseudomonas and Streptomyces genera, with pathogenic functions, were dominant in the tiger lily rhizosphere. The lower soil pH of tiger lily compared to maize supports the accumulation of pathogenic bacteria in the tiger lily rhizosphere. Meanwhile, we discovered that bacteria of the Flavobacterium genus, with their predicted phosphate transport function, specifically accumulated in the maize rhizosphere. Our findings suggest that Pseudomonas and Streptomyces bacteria may result in continuous cropping–induced root rot disease in tiger lily and that Flavobacterium could serve to protect maize from pathogenic bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale: The dried roots of Euphorbia kansui L., known as Kansui, are used to treat ascites and edema in traditional Chinese medicine. However, the toxicity of this herb has seriously restricted its clinical application. A unique vinegar‐processing method has been used to reduce its toxicity since the time of ancient China. However, the detoxification mechanism underlying such vinegar processing has not been fully revealed. To find the answer, the process‐induced changes in components should be carefully investigated. Methods: We performed a systematic analysis of chemical components in raw and vinegar‐processed Kansui using ultrahigh‐performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) diode array detection tandem mass spectrometry and UHPLC high‐resolution mass spectrometry. Thirty‐one chemical components in raw and vinegar‐processed Kansui were found, the chemical structures of 28 components among them were proposed and the process‐induced changes in components were then investigated. Results: A comprehensive conclusion about the process‐induced chemical change was drawn. It was found that jatrophane‐type diterpenoids decreased markedly after vinegar processing, while ingenane‐type diterpenoids were retained during vinegar processing. In silico drug target identification gave hints that jatrophane‐type diterpenoids, which decreased markedly during vinegar processing, may have more intense toxicity involving cholinesterase and mitogen‐activated protein kinases, while ingenane‐type diterpenoids, which were retained during vinegar processing, may have a more intense therapeutic effect involving carbonic anhydrase. Conclusions: The possible detoxification mechanism of vinegar‐processed Kansui is presented. The research has significance for the therapeutic/toxic chemical basis of Kansui. Also, it has significance for drug discovery from terpenoids within the herb. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Tuyuhun Kingdom (AD 313-663) was one of the most famous regimes in northwest China during the early medieval period. However, the lifestyle and spiritual pursuit of their descendants who became allied with the Tang Dynasty remain enigmatic. The excavation of the Chashancun cemetery, a Tuyuhun royal descendant (AD 691) cemetery in the Qilian Mountains in northwest China, reveals a large amount of uncharred plant remains. These remains provided a rare opportunity to explore the geographical origin of the buried crops and their social implications. In total, 253,647 crops and 12,071 weeds were identified. Foxtail millet and broomcorn millet represent 61.99 and 30.83% of the total plant remains, with the rest being barley, buckwheat, beans, and hemp. The oxygen isotope and trace elements of the crop and weed remains suggest that broomcorn millet, foxtail millet, barley, buckwheat, and hemp were sourced from different regions. The assemblage of plant remains in the Chashancun cemetery suggests that millet cultivation played an important role in the livelihoods of Tuyuhun descendants, and the location of the elite Tuyuhun cemetery and multisources of different buried crops may reflect their memory of ancestors and homelands. This case study provides a unique perspective to understand the interactions among human subsistence strategy, geopolitical patterns, and local natural environments in northwest China during the late 7th century. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Five pomelo cultivars (i.e., Citrus grandis cv. Shatianyou, Citrus grandis cv. Guanximiyou, Citrus grandis cv. Yuhuanyou, Citrus grandis cv. Duweiwendanyou and Citrus grandis cv. Liangpingyou) from different origins in China were selected to analyze their components by using supercritical CO2 fluid extraction coupled with ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry. A total of 45 compounds were identified in the supercritical CO2 fluid extracts of the pomelo peels from the five cultivars. These compounds included eight flavonoids, 18 coumarins, four organic acids, three aldehydes, and 12 other compounds, which were identified using the obtained MS data and by comparison with commercial standards, orbitrap Chinese Traditional Medicine Library, and previous literature. Twenty‐five of the identified compounds were detected for the first time in the pomelo peel extracts. Results suggested that the pomelo peels of C. grandis cv. Shatianyou contained the most natural chemical compositions. The pooled result may offer scientific evidence for further development and utilization of pomelo peels and a route for screening appropriate varieties for various demands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Texture is key to the fruit quality for the olecranon honey peach. In this study, olecranon honey peach was harvested from 11 Chinese Provinces and the effect of the olecranon honey peach planting areas on fruit texture and the relationship between texture and chemical parameters was investigated. In the texture section, peaches were measured by texture profile analysis (TPA) and puncture tests. Predictive models were developed to determine the texture of olecranon honey peach based on chemical properties. The results demonstrated that olecranon honey peach grown in Lianping county had significantly better texture and structure than those grown in other locations, especially the peach which planted in Lianping county with the 4.0 planting technology at high altitude. Correlation results showed that the texture of olecranon honey peach was negatively correlated with water content, while the hardness of texture parameters was positively correlated with pectin content and crispness was negatively correlated with titratable acid. Creating texture models that can estimate the texture value of olecranon honey peach by water content, pectin, and titratable acid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rhizome Chuanxiong (RCX), the dried rhizomes of Ligusticum striatum DC., is a geoauthentic TCM herb distributed in Sichuan province of China that possesses efficacy in promoting blood circulation, removing blood stasis and alleviating pain. Rhizome Chuanxiong total alkaloids (RCXTAs) are one of the major characteristic constituents of RCX with the effects of antimigraine, neuroprotective, cardioprotective and other cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Over the past years, rapid development of technology has advanced some aspects of RCXTAs. The aim of this review is to illustrate the recent advances in the chemical analysis and biological activities of RCXTAs, and to highlight new challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Huashi Baidu Formula (HSBDF), a key Chinese medical drug, has a remarkable clinical efficacy in treating acute lung injury (ALI), and it has been officially approved by the National Medical Products Administration of China for drug clinical trials. Nevertheless, the regulated mechanisms of HSBDF and its active compounds in plasma against ALI were rarely studied. Based on these considerations, the key anti-inflammatory compounds of HSBDF were screened by molecular docking and binding free energy. The key compounds were further identified in plasma by LC/MS. Network pharmacology was employed to identify the potential regulatory mechanism of the key compounds in plasma. Next, the network pharmacological prediction was validated by a series of experimental assays, including CCK-8, EdU staining, test of TNF-α, IL-6, MDA, and T-SOD, and flow cytometry, to identify active compounds. Molecular dynamic simulation and binding interaction patterns were used to evaluate the stability and affinity between active compounds and target. Finally, the active compounds were subjected to predict pharmacokinetic properties. Molecular docking revealed that HSBDF had potential effects of inhibiting inflammation by acting on IL-6R and TNF-α. Piceatannol, emodin, aloe-emodin, rhein, physcion, luteolin, and quercetin were key compounds that may ameliorate ALI, and among which, there were five compounds (emodin, aloe-emodin, rhein, luteolin, and quercetin) in plasma. Network pharmacology results suggested that five key compounds in plasma likely inhibited ALI by regulating inflammation and oxidative damage. Test performed in vitro suggested that HSBDF (0.03125 mg/ml), quercetin (1.5625 μM), emodin (3.125 μM), and rhein (1.5625 μM) have anti-inflammatory function against oxidative damage and decrease apoptosis in an inflammatory environment by LPS-stimulation. In addition, active compounds (quercetin, emodin, and rhein) had good development prospects, fine affinity, and stable conformations with the target protein. In summary, this study suggested that HSBDF and its key active components in plasma (quercetin, emodin, and rhein) can decrease levels of pro-inflammatory factors (IL-6 and TNF-α), decrease expression of MDA, increase expression of T-SOD, and decrease cell apoptosis in an inflammatory environment. These data suggest that HSBDF has significant effect on anti-inflammation and anti-oxidative stress and also can decrease cell apoptosis in treating ALI. These findings provided an important strategy for developing new agents and facilitated clinical use of HSBDF against ALI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of China Surfactant Detergent & Cosmetics (1001-1803) is the property of China Surfactant Detergent & Cosmetics Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Clinopodium chinense Kuntze (CC) and Clinopodium polycephalum (Vaniot) C. Y. Wu & S. J. Hsuan (CP) are both included in the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China (edition 2020) as the legitimate source of "Duan Xue Liu" (DXL), which is a crucial traditional Chinese medicine used as a clinical remedy for bleeding diseases. However, the differences in plant endogenous metabolites and bioactivities between CC and CP are still unclear. This study aims to provide a scientific basis to investigate the differences between CC and CP ensuring the efficient and safe use of DXL. A multidimensional strategy including plant metabolomics, digital reference standard (DRS) analyzer, and biological activities assay was creatively constructed for the characterization, distinction, and quality control of CC and CP. There were apparent differences in the metabolites between CC and CP. 7 compounds contributing to the differences were successfully identified. On that basis, linear calibration using two reference substances (LCTRS) methods was proved as a more accurate and specific quality analysis method for CC and CP. In addition, bioactivity assays showed that both CC and CP exhibited obvious hemostatic activity, while CC showed greater potential to resist inflammation and free radicals. In summary, it was the first time to investigate the chemical constituents and bioactivities differences between CC and CP with the help of plant metabolomics, DRS study, and biological activity assays. These two plants were significantly separated in the integrated analysis, suggesting that we should pay attention to the distinction to prevent unexpected risks caused by medicinal materials. [Display omitted] • A multidimensional strategy for characterization, distinction, and quality control of two Clinopodium medicinal plants. • 7 compounds contributing to the differences were successfully identified. • LCTRS was a more accurate and specific quality analysis method for CP and CC. • CC had a stronger ability to resist inflammation and free radicals than CP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents first geochemical and Sm-Nd isotope-geochemical data on conditionally Vendian metasedimentary rocks of the Byrka Series of the Argun superterrane. Analysis of chemical composition of rocks made it possible to establish that sources of detrital material were both felsic and mafic rocks. This conclusion is consistent with the presence of felsic and mafic metavolcanic intercalations in sequences. The isotope-geochemical studies of metasedimentary rocks of the Byrka Series indicate that their source areas contained rocks with Paleoproterozoic Nd model age. The main sources of clastic material for metasedimentary rocks of the Byrka Series were likely Precambrian magmatic and metamorphic complexes located at the Argun superterrane, within Eastern Transbaikalia, and at the adjacent territory of China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Codonopsis radix is an important edible and medicinal plant resource for immunomodulation in China and Southeast Asia. However, the chemical quality evaluation of C. radix in Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2020 Version) is still lacking; therefore, it is necessary to develop an effective method to evaluate its quality accurately and systematically. Herein, a reliable method for a comprehensive chemical analysis of bioactive compounds in C. radix by ultra‐performance liquid chromatography‐diode array detector was developed based on the quality marker (Q‐marker) concept, which can efficiently reflect its immune activity. Our previous research explored the seven potential bioactive compounds reflecting the immune regulation activities of C. radix by spectrum–effect relationship analysis. Therefore, in this study, we researched on establishing a quality control method and selected the modern pharmacodynamic experiment of immune regulation to verify the potential bioactive compounds as quality markers. A real quality control method that reflected the traditional efficacy of C. radix in strengthening the spleen and tonifying lungs was developed. Furthermore, the C. radix extract and the seven bioactive compounds could promote the proliferation of immune‐related cells and regulate the secretion of inflammatory factors, thus playing a role in immune regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pulsatillae Radix, the root of Pulsatilla chinensis (Bge.) Regel, is recorded in the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China and has been widely used for its pharmacological activities, such as anti‐inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, antitumor, and cardiovascular benefits. However, there are several look‐alike species that can be marketed as Pulsatillae Radix. To distinguish P. chinensis (Bge.) Regel from its look‐alikes, viz. Pulsatilla cernua (Thunb.) Bercht et Opiz., Pulsatilla dahurica (Fisch.) Spreng., Anemone tomeutosa (Maxim.) Pei., and Rhaponticum uniflorum (L.) DC, we used ultra high performance liquid chromatography with time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry combined with principal component analysis to compare their chemical compositions. Four ions, a (RT 8.98 min, m/z 1381.6671), b (RT 10.64 min, m/z 1219.6143), c (RT 11.52 min, m/z 1217.5978), and d (RT 13.6 min, m/z 749.4463), from P. chinensis (Bge.) Regel were identified as potential chemical markers to distinguish it from look‐alike species using an unsupervised statistical model combined with orthogonal partial least‐squares discriminant analysis. The results of this study provide an effective method for identifying and distinguishing P. chinensis (Bge.) Regel from similar plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coalbed methane (CBM) resource in the southern Qinshui Basin, North China, is abundant. Proper understanding of the geological control factors on CBM enrichment in Anze Block of southern Qinshui Basin is critical to design efficient CBM development plan in this area. Field and laboratory data including well logging, well testing, hydraulic fracturing, and groundwater chemical analysis of were used to evaluate the characteristics of the hydrodynamic and geostress, and then, the combined effect of hydrodynamic and geostress field on CBM enrichment was analyzed. The results show that the total dissolved solids (TDS) of groundwater in the west is generally lower than that in other areas in the block, and the primary formation water is NaHCO3-type. The geostress field shows a σ H > σ v > σ h dominated geostress type in this area, and the western block has a lower value than the eastern block. The strong hydrodynamic field with low TDS also has a lower gas content while the weak hydrodynamic field with high TDS has a higher gas content. Both the TDS value and the horizontal stress differences are positively related to the gas content, indicating that inactive hydrodynamics and large horizontal stress difference of coal reservoir is favorable for CBM preservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pogostemon cablin (Blanco) Benth. also called patchouli, is a traditional medicinal and aromatic plant that grows mainly in Southeast Asia and China. In China, P. cablin is divided into two chemical types: the patchouliol-type and the pogostone-type. Patchouliol-type patchouli usually grow taller, with thicker stems and bigger leaves, and produce more aromatic oil. Methods: To better understand the genetic differences between the two chemical types that contribute to their differences in morphology and biosynthetic capabilities, we constructed de novo transcriptomes from both chemical types using the Pacific Biosciences (PacBio) Sequel platform and performed differential expression analysis of multiple tissues using Illumina short reads. Results: In this study, using single-molecule real-time (SMRT) long-read sequencing, we obtained 22.07 GB of clean data and 134,647 nonredundant transcripts from two chemical types. Additionally, we identified 126,576 open reading frames (ORFs), 100,638 coding sequences (CDSs), 4,106 long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and 6,829 transcription factors (TFs) from two chemical types of P. cablin. We adopted PacBio and Illumina sequencing to identify differentially expressed transcripts (DEGs) in three tissues of the two chemical types. More DEGs were observed in comparisons of different tissues collected from the same chemical type relative to comparisons of the same tissue collected from different chemical types. Furthormore, using KEGG enrichment analysis of DEGs, we found that the most enriched biosynthetic pathways of secondary metabolites of the two chemical types were "terpenoid backbone biosynthesis", "phenylpropanoid biosynthesis", "plant hormone signal transduction", "sesquiterpenoid and triterpenoid biosynthesis", "ubiquinone and other terpenoid-quinone biosynthesis", "flavonoid biosynthesis", and "flavone and flavonol biosynthesis". However, the main pathways of the patchouliol-type also included "diterpene biosynthesis" and "monoterpene biosynthesis". Additionally, by comparing the expression levels of the three tissues verified by qRT-PCR, more DEGs in the roots were upregulated in the mevalonate (MVA) pathway in the cytoplasm, but more DEGs in the leaves were upregulated in the methylerythritol phosphate (MEP) pathway in the plastid, both of which are important pathways for terpenoids biosynthesis. These findings promote the study of further genome annotation and transcriptome research in P. cablin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agarwood is mainly used to make incense, perfume, traditional Chinese medicine, and other products. In some parts of China, some consumers use cigarettes that contain agarwood. Not all Aquilaria trees can generate agarwood; only trees that are damaged by natural and artificial means form resin. Due to the short time of forming resin, there are some differences in the quality of agarwood. This paper studies the effects of the application of cultivated agarwood in incense, cigarettes, and essential oil. First, the differences in combustion as an incense of this cultivated agarwood and three samples of natural agarwood were researched, and the cytotoxic and genotoxic of aerosols of combustion were tested. Subsequently, the effect of the application of this cultivated agarwood in cigarettes was studied. The particulate matter particles of four samples of agarwood incense burning smoke were detected. The ultrafine particles and fine particles accounted for the vast majority (more than 99%) by number and by mass, and these can enter the human alveoli and have a negative impact on health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To study the mineralization process of potable natural mineral water, this paper collected water samples from the Caowang town in northern China. The hydrochemical characteristics of water samples were determined by the hydrochemical analysis. The results indicate that sampled groundwater is desirable for drinking and two main groundwater types i.e., Na·Ca·Mg--HCO3 and Na--HCO3 type were found in the study area. Chemical components in groundwater are governed by water-rock interactions and two beneficial chemical components including metasilicic acid and strontium are measured up to the standard values of potable natural mineral water. The chemical thermodynamics analysis was subsequently pioneered to assess the origins of minerals in potable natural mineral water. It can be concluded that metasilicic acid is attributed to the dissolution of feldspar rather than quartz minerals. The increase of strontium originates from the dissolution of strontium carbonate in the recharge area. The Gibbs function is valid and effective for identifying the origins of minerals and assessing the mineralization process of potable natural mineral water. This study can provide insight into protecting the recharge area and ensure the quality of potable natural mineral water, thereby guiding the management of the precious groundwater resource. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the quality of groundwater and its suitability for drinking and irrigation in the hilly area of the Taihang Mountains in Henan Province, China. Groundwater samples were collected from 43 unconfined and 20 confined wells and analyzed. The pollution index of groundwater (PIG) was estimated based on the physicochemical parameters, and seven indices, including the sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), sodium percentage (%Na), residual sodium carbonate (RSC), permeability index (PI), magnesium ratio (MR), Kelley's ratio (KR), and corrosivity ratio (CR), were calculated to qualify the groundwater within the research area for irrigation activities. Multivariate statistical techniques were performed to better understand the hydrochemical processes. Chemical analysis showed that the dominant cation and anion were Ca2+ and HCO3−, respectively, and the principal hydrochemical facies was Ca–Mg–HCO3. In terms of pH, total dissolved solids, Na+, Cl−, F−, and SO42−, most samples were well within the limits prescribed by Chinese standards for drinking water quality, but more than half of the unconfined samples exceeded the specified limits for total hardness and nitrate. The PIG values suggested the pollution level was insignificant for all confined water samples and 72.09% of unconfined water samples, but the PIG distribution map showed that the water in the south central part of the study area had low to moderate pollution. According to the computed values of SAR, %Na, RSC, PI, KR, and MR and the results of a salinity diagram, the results further indicated that most of the studied samples were appropriate for irrigation usage. Only the CR values rendered 41.86% of the unconfined samples and 20% of the confined samples unfit for irrigation. Hence, proper measures are needed to resolve the corrosivity problem. Factor analysis resulted in the extraction of 3 factors that explained 81% of the data variability, and the extracted factors pointed towards geogenic factors governing the groundwater quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]